Flashcards: Foundations of American Democracy — 18 cards

Popular sovereignty — definition?

Government authority derives from the people.

Separation of powers — purpose?

Prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Tyranny — meaning?

Oppressive or unjust use of power.

Federalists — support?

Strong federal government and centralized authority.

Anti-Federalists — support?

States' rights and individual liberties.

Sovereignty — exercised through?

Voting and other forms of popular participation.

Disenfranchisement — effect?

Excludes groups from voting rights.

Electoral College — role?

Elects the president through selected electors.

Voting rights debates — focus?

Determining who qualifies as voters.

Colonial voting — requirement?

Land ownership and property qualifications.

Mayflower Compact — significance?

Early self-governance agreement by colonists.

House of Burgesses — importance?

First elected colonial legislative assembly.

Colonial colonies — types?

Provincial, Proprietary, Charter.

Early voting — restrictions?

Limited by land, race, and social status.

First U.S. election — year?

1788-1789, George Washington elected.

12th Amendment — purpose?

Separate votes for president and vice president.

Political parties — emergence?

After Constitution, Federalists and Republicans formed.

Bill of Rights — function?

Guarantees individual rights and limits government.