Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy (copy)

Enlightenment

A philosophical movement in the 18th century emphasizing reason over tradition in social problem-solving.

Social contract

An agreement between individuals and government where some freedoms are sacrificed for protection.

Natural rights

Fundamental rights granted by God, including life, liberty, and property, which government must protect.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge comes from sensory experiences, exemplified by John Locke's idea of tabula rasa.

Separation of powers

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch the ability to amend or veto acts of another.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored smaller state governments and feared centralized power.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution for the electing of the president and vice president.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist paper criticizing the Constitution and expressing concerns about the national government’s power.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison discussing how to manage factions and protect minority rights in a large republic.

Federalist No. 51

An essay by James Madison advocating for the separation of powers and checks and balances.

Federalist No. 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a strong, singular executive branch.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton discussing the judiciary's role and the power of judicial review.

Necessary and proper clause

Also known as the elastic clause; allows Congress to make laws necessary to execute its powers.

Supremacy clause

Establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the supreme law of the land.

Delegated powers

Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution.

Reserved powers

Powers not granted to the national government or prohibited to the states, reserved for the states.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Amendment process

The procedure for making changes to the Constitution, requiring approval from Congress and state legislatures.

Governor

The elected executive head of a state in the US.

Line-item veto

The power of an executive to nullify specific provisions of a bill; this power is denied to the president.