Roots of our Democracy Vocabulary

Demos Kratia-people rule Magna Carta-Agreement between King John of England and nobles to restrict power of the monarchy (1215)

Erasmus-Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and theologian of early 1500’s who criticized Catholic Church Martin Luther- lead reformation of Catholic Church John Calvin- Theologian, pastor and political reformer during Protestant Reformation who founded self-governing city of Geneva, Switzerland. His English followers were the Puritans.

English Petition of Rights- sets out specific liberties that the king is prohibited from infringing. (1628) English Bill of Rights- defined certain rights to which subjects and permanent residents of a constitutional monarchy were thought to be entitled. (1689)

The Mayflower Compact- The Mayflower Compact was the first self-governing document of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, established by Pilgrims (Separatist Puritans) The Great Awakening- Period of religious revival in America which gave colonists a shared national religious experience and spread ideas of self government. (1730- 1740)

Jonathan Edwards- a Puritan Minster terrified listeners with his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” George Whitefield - Puritan Minster who used raw emotional sermons to reach all classes of colonists

Enlightenment- A movement in the 1700’s that rejected traditional ways of life and looked for a more rational and scientific way to explain the world we live in John Locke- Wrote on Life, Liberty and Property, influenced Jefferson in writing of Declaration of Independence

Thomas Hobbes- English philosopher who wrote Leviathan Thomas Hobbes- English philosopher who wrote Leviathan. Believed humans inherently bad, supported a constitutional monarchy Baron de Montesquieu -believed in separation of powers Separation of powers-in dividing power, there is less opportunity for abuse.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau –promoted Social contract and Consent of the governed Voltaire- promoted freedoms of speech and religion.

Thomas Jefferson-principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the third President of the United States—“Writer in the Revolution” James Madison-Led the writing of the Consitution, writer of Bill of Rights, 4th president, “Father of the Constitution” Samuel Adams - He is a leader in the Boston Tea Party and of the Sons of Liberty — “Instigator in the Revolution”

Benjamin Franklin -Responsible for helping get the French to join the colonies against the British—”Negotiator in the Revolution” John Adams - Constitutional lawyer and his intense analysis of historical examples, on Declaration writing committee and second President of the United States –“Thinker in the Revolution”

Thomas Paine –Wrote Common Sense in 1776, a political pamphlet that criticizes the British monarch, supports colonial rebellion and justifies starting a new government— ”Advertiser of the Revolution” George Washington—Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, first President of the United States; “Poster Child of the Revolution”