1: Ideals of Democracy

Key Concepts of U.S. Government

Limited Government: Power restricted by laws or a written Constitution.
Natural Rights: Rights to life, liberty, and property that cannot be infringed by the government.
Republicanism: Governing through elected representatives.
Social Contract: Citizens agree to be governed in exchange for protection of natural rights.
Popular Sovereignty: The authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Declaration of Independence: Articulates reasons for independence from Great Britain; introduces concepts of popular sovereignty and social contract.
U.S. Constitution: Establishes government structure and principles of limited government and republicanism.

Constitutional Convention: 1787 meeting to replace the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution.
Limited Government: Restriction of governmental power through laws or a Constitution.
Natural Rights: Inalienable rights including life, liberty, and property.
Republicanism: Principle of governance through elected representatives.
Social Contract: Agreement between people and government on rights and governance.

John Adams: Aided in drafting the Declaration of Independence.
Ben Franklin: Contributed to drafting the Declaration of Independence.
Alexander Hamilton: Advocated for a stronger central government; coauthored the Federalist Papers.
Thomas Jefferson: Principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
James Madison: Major contributor to the Constitution; authored the Bill of Rights.
George Washington: Presided over the Constitutional Convention.