AP US Government and Politics Midterm Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on Unit One: Foundations of American Democracy, Chapters 1 and 2.

Limited Government

Government restricted by law.

Natural Rights

Rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Popular Sovereignty

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

Republicanism

Authority of the people through elected representatives.

Social Contract

An agreement where individuals allow the government to govern.

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of the Declaration of Independence.

US Constitutional Convention

Key figures included Washington, James Madison, FDR, and Hamilton.

Participatory Democracy

Broad participation in politics and civil society.

Pluralist Democracy

Group-based activism by nongovernmental interests trying to impact political interest.

Elite Democracy

Limited participation in politics and civil society.

Federalist #10

Argued a large republic is better than a small republic.

Brutus #1

Argued liberty is safest in a small republic with a central government.

Antifederalists

Believed liberty is secure in a small republic.

Articles of Confederation

Weaknesses included no power to tax or regulate commerce; required unanimous vote; sovereignty restrained by states.

Shays' Rebellion

Showed the central government was not able to finance troops to stop rebellion.

Ratification

Incorporating the constitution and a strong federal government.

VA Plan

State representation should be based on state population. (Madison’s plan)

NJ Plan

State representation should be equal for all (2 per each state).

Great Compromise

Created a House directly elected by state.

3/5 Compromise

Slaves count as 3/5 of a person for state representation.