Unit #6- The American Revolution
revolution
the overthrow of one government and its replacement with another
independence
gaining freedom from another country and becoming your own country
militia
units of soldiers that began in towns and villages
petition
a written request or complaint to an authority
mercenary
a soldier who works for pay in the army of a foreign government.
public opinion
the point of view held by most people
Declaration of Indiependence
the document in which the colonists officially declared their independence from Britain
natural rights
individual right the Founders thought all people should have in any society
power
the ability to control or influence others
authority
the right to use power or to influence or control others
representative government
a form of democracy where people choose representatives to make decisions for them
limited government
the government can only do what the people have given it the power to do
government by consent
people have to agree to be governed
right to petition
the right to issue a written request or complaint to an authority
freedom of assembly
the right to meet others
popular sovereignty
the power and authority of the government comes from the people
equality
equal treatment and equal protection
grievances
complaints
unalienable rights
rights that cannot be taken away
advantage
a positive and helpful factor
disadvantage
a negative factor that causes probems
historical empathy
trying to understand the actions and thoughts of people in the past
historical perspective
trying to understand the point of view of people in the past
neutral
not taking either one side or another
turning point
a single event that causes important and dramatic change
treaty
a signed agreement between two countries
traitor
someone who betrays their country
surrender
to give up