United States Constitution
Document creating the United States government. Based on Enlightenment ideas. Ratified in 1788.
Federalism
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
Separation of Powers
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Declaration of Independence (1776)
The fundamental document establishing the US as an independent nation, adopted on July 4, 1776. It declared the 13 colonies independent from Britain.
Natural (Unalienable) Rights
Life, Liberty, and Property/no one can take them away
Causes of the American Revolution
Britsih taxed colonies heavily. "No taxation without representation"-colonists resented being taxed without having a representative in Parliament.
Capitalism/Free Enterprise
An economic system based on private ownership of capital
Democracy
government by the people
laissez faire
government should not interfere with the economy
Consent of the Governed
Main idea of Declaration of Independence