Forms of Democracy and Foundational Documents

Direct (Participatory) Democracy = A form of democracy where all citizens directly participate in decision-making processes rather than through elected representatives. Indirect (Representative) Democracy = A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf in government. Elite Democracy = A form of democracy where power is held by a small group of elite individuals, often due to wealth, education, or status. Pluralist View/Pluralism = The theory that power in a democracy is distributed among many competing interest groups, not centralized in one entity.

Natural Rights = Rights that are inherent and inalienable, belonging to all humans by virtue of their existence, like life, liberty, and property. Articles of Confederation = The first constitution of the United States, adopted during the Revolutionary War, which established a weak central government with most power residing in the states. Constitutional Convention = The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates gathered to amend the Articles of Confederation but ended up drafting the U.S.Constitution. Great Compromise = A compromise between the large and small states at the Constitutional Convention, establishing a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Constitutional Convention = The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates gathered to amend the Articles of Confederation but ended up drafting the U.S.Constitution. Revolutionary War = A war fought between 1775 and 1783 between Great Britain and its thirteen American colonies, resulting in the independence of the United States. Declaration of Independence = A document written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the independence of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Bill of Rights = The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing certain individual freedoms and rights, adopted in 1791.

<p>Thomas Jefferson = The primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. George Washington = The Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States. James Madison = Known as the 'Father of the Constitution', played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and served as the fourth President. Alexander Hamilton = One of the Founding Fathers, a key advocate for a strong central government, and the first Secretary of the Treasury.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Shay's Rebellion = An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers against economic and civil rights injustices, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Virginia Plan = A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a strong national government with three branches and a bicameral legislature based on population. New Jersey Plan = An alternative proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state to protect smaller states' interests. Great Compromise = Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, it resolved the debate over representation by creating a bicameral legislature with the Senate (equal representation) and the House of Representatives (based on population).</p> Signup and view all the answers

A democracy where citizens participate directly in decision-making.

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Power held by a small group of elite individuals.

Power is distributed among many competing groups in democracy.

Inherent rights like life, liberty, and property for all humans.

The first U.S. constitution, establishing a weak central government.

The 1787 meeting that drafted the U.S. Constitution.

A pivotal compromise during the Constitutional Convention on legislative structure.

An uprising by Massachusetts farmers in 1786-1787 against injustices, highlighting the Articles of Confederation's weaknesses.

A proposal for a strong national government with three branches and a population-based bicameral legislature.

An alternative to the Virginia Plan proposing a unicameral legislature with equal state representation.

An agreement counting three-fifths of the slave population for representation and taxation.

Theory where individuals consent to surrender freedoms for government protection of rights.

A system where government power is constrained to protect individual freedoms.

Legal order to bring a detainee before a judge to secure lawful grounds for detention.

A change or addition to the Constitution proposed by Congress or a national convention.

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution securing fundamental rights and liberties.

Authority of government derived from the consent of its people.

Division of government into branches to prevent concentration of power.

System allowing each government branch to influence and limit the actions of others.

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government.

Power of courts to determine the constitutionality of legislative acts.