AP Government Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy - Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms from Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy for AP Government.

Limited government

The principle that the government has restricted powers limited by the Constitution and law.

Natural rights

Inalienable rights believed to be inherent to all people, such as life, liberty, and property.

John Locke

18th century English philosopher who argued for natural rights and government by social contract.

Social contract

An implicit agreement among people and their government outlining rights and duties.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of political power.

"The Grand Committee"

A committee at the Constitutional Convention led by Roger Sherman to draft a plan for representation.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document declaring the American colonies independent from Britain and listing grievances.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution creating a weak central government and strong states.

Preamble

The opening statement of the Constitution outlining the purposes of government.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States establishing the framework of the national government.

Representative democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing broad citizen participation in decision making.

Pluralist democracy

A theory that power is distributed among many groups competing for influence.

Elite democracy

A view that a small, educated, or wealthy elite governs in the interest of society.

Federalist #10

Madison argues that a large republic can control factions and protect minority rights.

Brutus #1

Anti-Federalist essay warning that the Constitution could centralize too much power.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution and a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored states’ rights and a Bill of Rights.

Central government

The national government at the summit of the constitutional order.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Republic

A government in which citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Factions

Groups or coalitions pursuing their own interests, potentially at odds with others.

Shay's Rebellion

1786-87 uprising by Massachusetts farmers highlighting Articles weaknesses.

Virginia Plan

Plan proposing a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Plan proposing a unicameral legislature with equal state representation.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Compromise creating a bicameral Congress: House by population, Senate with equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Confederation agreement counting three-fifths of enslaved people for representation and taxation.

Slave Trade Compromise

Agreement allowing the continuation of the slave trade until 1808 but not banning it immediately.

Ex post facto law

Laws that criminalize actions retroactively; prohibited by the Constitution.

Bill of attainder

A law that singles out and punishes a person without a trial.

Electoral College

Indirect method for electing the president, allocating electors by state representation.

Article IV

Constitutional article addressing state relationships, obligations, and admission of new states.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must recognize and respect public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states in fundamental rights.

Amendment process

Constitutional method for changing the Constitution, outlined in Article V.

Article V

Constitutional provision detailing how amendments can be proposed and ratified.

Article VI

Supremacy Clause and other provisions establishing the Constitution as the supreme law.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws.

Article VII

Constitutional provision outlining the process of ratification by the states.

Ratification

Formal approval of the Constitution by the states.

Checks and balances

Each branch has powers to restrain the others to prevent tyranny.

Separation of powers

Dividing government responsibilities among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Federalist #51

Madison argues for checks, balances, and a large republic to curb tyranny.

Tyranny of the majority

Risk that the majority could oppress minority rights without safeguards.

Multiple policy access points

Various ways citizens and groups influence policy across branches and levels.

Impeachment

Formal accusation of a government official, potentially leading to removal from office.

Exclusive powers

Powers reserved to the national government only.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both national and state governments.

Federal balance of power

Distribution of authority between federal and state governments.

"Dual federalism" (Layer Cake)

A model where national and state governments remain supreme within their own spheres.

"Layer Cake" federalism

Metaphor for distinct layers of government with clear boundaries.

Cooperative federalism

A model where national and state governments work together on policy.

"Marble Cake" federalism

Metaphor for intermingled responsibilities across levels of government.

Fiscal federalism

Pattern of spending, taxation, and grants to influence states' policies.

Grants

Federal funds provided to states or organizations for specific purposes.

Incentives

Rewards or penalties used to influence state behavior and policy decisions.

Conditions-of-aid

Strings attached to grants that require compliance with certain standards.

Revenue sharing

Federal funds provided to states with few or no restrictions on use.

Mandates

Requirements that states must meet, often with or without accompanying funding.

Clean Air Act (1970)

Federal environmental law setting standards to protect air quality.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability and requiring accessibility.

Categorical grants

Federal grants for a specific purpose with strict conditions.

Block grants

Federal grants with broad purposes and more discretion for states.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states and the people.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision giving Congress power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Elastic Clause allowing Congress to enact laws needed to execute enumerated powers.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly listed for the federal government in the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Constitution's framework.

Inherent powers

Sovereign powers possessed by the national government as part of its role.

State sovereignty

States retain significant powers and independent authority within the union.

Supreme Court of the United States

The highest court in the United States that interprets laws and the Constitution.

Statute

A written law passed by a legislature.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court case establishing federal supremacy and implied powers via the Necessary and Proper Clause.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Supreme Court case limiting Congress power under the Commerce Clause over gun possession near schools.