1) Democracy- A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
2) Autocracy- A system of government by one person with absolute power.
3) Nation-State- A political entity (a state) associated with a particular cultural entity (a nation).
4) Nation- A large community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history.
5) Confederation- An organization that consists of a number of parties or groups united in an alliance or league.
6) Aristocracy- The highest class in certain societies, esp. those holding hereditary titles or offices.
7) Oligarchy- A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.
8) Articles of Confederation-
9) Evolutionary theory- a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states; it provided a legal symbol of their union by giving the central government no coercive power over the states or their citizens.
10) Divine right theory- The doctrine that monarchs derive their right to rule directly from God and are accountable only to God.
11) Force theory- states that either a small group or a single person took domination over an area.
12) Social Contract theory- a political theory which holds that governments are formed as individuals form a kind of “social contract” among themselves. With this contract, they each agree to give up a small part of their individual liberty to enjoy the benefits of a secure society.
13) Preamble- We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
14) 27 Amendments
1. Freedom of Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, Opinion, and Speech
2. The freedom to bear arms
3. No military in your home except in war time.
4. No unreasonable searches
5. The right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself
6. The right to a speedy and public trial
7. The right to a jury trial in civil matters of $20 and over.
8. The right to fair fines and bail. No cruel and unusual punishment
9. Individual Rights. Rights that are not in the constitution are still rights given to citizens.
10. State Rights. Any right not given in the constitution is given to the states to legislate.
11. You cannot sue another state except with permission by that state’s judicial system.
12. The electoral college must have two separate elections for president and vice president
13. Emancipation. All slaves are free.
14. Foreign born citizens can vote
15. All men get the right to vote - including ex-slaves
16. The Federal Income Tax is established
17. The people elect their own US senators
18. Alcohol is prohibited
19. Women get the right to vote
20. January 20th is the day that a new president takes office
21. It is no longer illegal to drink Alcohol. The 18th amendment is struck down.
22. A president can only have 2 terms in office.
23. Washington DC can vote for the president
24. You may not charge people money so that they can register to vote.
25. Lays down the rules for who becomes president if the president dies/resigns etc.
26. You can vote at the age of 18.
27. Congressmen cannot vote to give themselves a raise in the same term.
15) Representative Democracy- A form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people, as opposed to autocracy and direct democracy.
16) Constitutional Monarchy- System of governance based on popular sovereignty in which the structures, powers and limits of government are set forth in a constitution.
17) Absolute Monarchy- A government where a monarch (a king, queen or emperor) holds total power and can make laws without having to consult a parliament or the people.
18) Unicameral-