1. What shaped the Founders’ thinking about government?
We the People: Unit 2
What shaped the Founders’ thinking about government?

2. representative government

3. representative government
Leaders elected by the people who look out for the common good

4. Declaration of Independence

5. Declaration of Independence
A formal document of complaints against the British king
Announced that the colonies would now be free and independent states

6. Magna Carta

7. Magna Carta A social contract
An agreement between the nobility and the king that limited the kings powers

8. Parliament

9. Parliament
British lawmaking branch of government made up of two houses, the House of Lords and the House of Commons

10. rule of law

11. rule of law
All people must follow the law even the leaders.

12. natural law

13. natural law
The Founders believed this was a law that controlled human relationships, and that it came from God.

14. diplomacy

15. diplomacy Carrying on formal friendships with other countries
May prevent or solve conflicts between the countries

16. legislative supremacy

17. legislative supremacy
The legislative branch is the most powerful branch of government.

18. popular sovereignty

19. popular sovereignty
People have the power in government; they are the highest authority.

20. Articles of Confederation

21. Articles of Confederation
The first constitution that had a weak central government. The states had the most power.