AP US Government: Foundational Documents Flashcards | Knowt

What are the three unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Which document served as the first constitution of the United States?

The Articles of Confederation.

In Federalist No. 10, how does James Madison propose to control the effects of factions?

By establishing a large Republic where a variety of interests prevent any single group from dominating.

What is the core argument of Brutus No. 1 concerning federal power?

A large centralized government would require people to sacrifice their liberties and would eventually lead to tyranny.

Which principle is emphasized in Federalist No. 51 to prevent government tyranny?

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.

According to Federalist No. 70, what is the key characteristic of an effective executive?

Energy, which Alexander Hamilton argues is best achieved with a single executive.

In Federalist No. 78, how does Hamilton describe the branch of government meant to serve as a check through judicial review?

The least dangerous branch because it has no power over the sword or the purse.

What strategy does Martin Luther King Jr. defend in his 'Letter from Birmingham Jail'?

Nonviolent direct action to force negotiation and combat social injustice.

Which clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution makes federal laws superior to state laws?

The Supremacy Clause.

What does the Necessary and Proper Clause allow Congress to do?

Pass all laws required to carry out their enumerated powers, effectively expanding federal authority.

Which event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, specifically the lack of a national military?

Shays' Rebellion.

The U.S. Constitution established which form of government that divides power between national and state levels?

Federalism.

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights reserves powers to the states that are not specifically delegated to the federal government?

The $10^{th}$ Amendment.

Which article of the U.S. Constitution outlines the structure and powers of the Legislative Branch?

Article I.

What is the 'Social Contract' theory presented in early foundational thinking?

The idea that individuals give up some rights to a government in exchange for protection and social order.

Which clause in the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate business activity between states?

The Commerce Clause.

How many articles are contained within the original U.S. Constitution?

$$7$$

Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state receive in Congress?

$$1$$

The $14^{th}$ Amendment's Due Process Clause has been used by the Supreme Court for what purpose?

Selective Incorporation, applying the Bill of Rights to the states.

Which constitutional amendment protects citizens from 'unreasonable searches and seizures'?

The $4^{th}$ Amendment.

What is the primary function of the Bill of Rights?

To protect individual civil liberties from being infringed upon by the government.

Which amendment guarantees the right to vote shall not be denied 'on account of sex'?

The $19^{th}$ Amendment.

What does 'Popular Sovereignty' mean in the context of the U.S. government?

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

In Federalist No. 51, Madison states that 'Ambition must be made to counteract' what?

Ambition.

Which founding document begins with the preamble words 'We the People'?

The U.S. Constitution.