Foundations of American Government and Constitutional Principles Study Notes

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Unit 1: Foundations of American Government and Unit 2: The U.S. Constitution and Constitutional Amendments.

Demos Kratia

An ancient Athenian concept referring to government by the people.

Direct Democracy

An early form of government in ancient Athens where voting was strictly restricted to rich adult men who owned land.

Magna Carta

A 1215 charter establishing the foundational rule that the king must follow the law and cannot have total power.

English Bill of Rights

A 1689 act that expanded legislative power by granting Parliament more authority than the king or queen.

Consent of the Governed

John Locke's principle asserting that a legitimate government derives its right to rule from the people.

Social Contract

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's political concept stating that people trade some personal freedom in exchange for safety and the common good.

Baron de Montesquieu

The political philosopher who proposed dividing government power among executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent abuses of power.

Oligarchy

A system of government ruled by a small, powerful group of elite people.

Parliamentary System

A government structure where executive leaders and lawmakers work closely together, and the Prime Minister is chosen by parliament.

Republic

A government grounded in protected rights and the consent of the people.

Unwritten Rules

Unfair practices used by government officials that prompted Romans around 450 BC to demand written laws.

Proclamation of 1763

A measure issued by King George III primarily to reduce military expenditures and prevent conflicts with Native Americans.

No Taxation Without Representation

A primary colonial grievance protesting tax laws enacted by a British Parliament containing no colonial representatives.

Equal Representation

The voting arrangement under the Articles of Confederation that granted every state exactly one vote in Congress.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising that exposed the national government's inability to raise an army to enforce order under the Articles of Confederation.

James Madison

The delegate who recorded comprehensive notes during the Constitutional Convention and earned the title 'Father of the Constitution'.

Virginia Plan

A proposal advocating for legislative seats to be apportioned according to population size, favoring larger states.

Great Compromise

An agreement establishing a bicameral legislature where House representation is based on population, while each state receives 2 Senators in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A constitutional agreement determining that enslaved individuals would be counted partially toward congressional representation.

Electoral College

A compromise body established to formally elect the President of the United States.

Federalists

Advocates of a strong national government who opposed the Anti-Federalists' demands for a Bill of Rights.

Federalism

The constitutional division of governing power between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

The doctrine of allocating government responsibilities into three distinct branches.

Checks and Balances

A system enabling each branch of government to restrain the actions of another, exemplified by the presidential veto.

8th Amendment

The constitutional amendment prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment as well as excessive bail.

1st Amendment

The constitutional amendment guaranteeing the freedoms of speech, religion, and the press.

6th Amendment

The constitutional amendment safeguarding the right to a speedy trial and assistance of legal counsel.

4th Amendment

The constitutional amendment protecting individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

The constitutional amendment providing protection against Double Jeopardy (being tried twice for the same exact crime).

10th Amendment

The constitutional amendment establishing that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or to the people.

13th Amendment

The constitutional amendment that officially abolished slavery across the United States.

19th Amendment

The constitutional amendment granting women full voting rights.

22nd Amendment

The constitutional amendment restricting a President to serving a maximum of two terms.