AP Gov Unit 1

Flashcards for US Government Exam Review

Checks and Balances

Aspects of the Constitution that require each branch of the federal government to gain the consent of the other two in order to act.

Commerce Clause

Part of Article I of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce (buying and selling of goods across state lines).

Electoral College

A body of representatives from every state in the United States who formally cast votes to elect the president and vice president.

Enumerated Powers

Powers of the federal government that are explicitly named in the Constitution.

Faction

An interest group seeking to influence government for the benefit of its members.

Federalism

A political system that organizes government into two or more levels with independent powers.

Bicameralism

Having a legislative body with 2 houses (House and Senate)

Implied Powers

Powers of the federal government that are not explicitly named in the Constitution but are implied by the “necessary and proper” clause.

Limited Government

A political system in which the government’s power is restricted by laws or a written Constitution.

Natural Rights

The right to life, liberty, and property, which no government may take away.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Part of Article I of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to create laws that they find “necessary and proper” for carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

Separation of Powers

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

Social Contract

An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first government system of the United States, which lasted from 1776 until 1789. The Articles placed most power in the hands of state governments.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, which explicitly protected individual liberties such as freedom of speech.

Brutus No. 1 (1787)

An Anti-Federalist essay, which argued against a strong central government based on the belief that it would not be able to meet the needs of all US citizens.

Article I

Legislative Branch

Article II

Executive Branch

Article III

Judicial Branch

Article IV

Interstate relations

Article V

Amendment process

Concurrent Powers

Shared by Federal and State governments. Power to tax and spend, establish courts, make laws

Reserved Powers

Any power not denied nor given to the federal government is reserved for state governments (create local governments)

Take Care Clause

President must enforce ALL laws passed by congress

Privileges and Immunities

Requires states to extend same privileges and immunities to all citizens (even of other states)

Constitution (1787)

The fundamental laws and principles that govern the United States.

Federalist No. 10 (1787)

An essay written by James Madison, which argued that a strong representative government would be able to control the effects of factions.

Federalist No. 51 (1788)

An essay written by James Madison that explained how the structure of the new government under the Constitution would provide the necessary checks and balances to keep the government from becoming too powerful.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A Supreme Court case that guaranteed the supremacy of federal laws over state laws (Supremacy Clause)

US v. Lopez (1995)

A Supreme Court case that stopped Congress from using the commerce clause to ban guns in schools.