AP Government Unit 1 Notes

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people through their elected representatives.

Republicanism

A form of government in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives, with an elected or nominated president.

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent in human beings, including life, liberty, and property, not dependent on governments.

Social Contract

An agreement among people to set up a government and obey its laws, trading some individual freedom for protection.

Participatory Democracy

A model that emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society, with citizens ruling themselves directly.

Pluralist Democracy

A model characterized by group-based activism by non-governmental interests striving to influence political decision making.

Elite Democracy

A model that emphasizes limited participation in politics, concentrating power in a small group of wealthy or high-status individuals.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document authored by Thomas Jefferson expressing the colonists' desire for independence and articulating beliefs in popular sovereignty and natural rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, adopted in 1781, which created a weak central government.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature with the House based on population and the Senate with equal representation for all states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

The agreement that every five enslaved individuals would count as three persons for representation and taxation.

Electoral College

A system devised for electing the President, balancing direct popular vote with state representation.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic is the best way to control factions.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing against a large republic, fearing it would lead to a tyrannical government.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental power among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Checks and Balances

A principle where each branch of government has powers to limit the other branches' powers.

Federalism

The division of power between the national government and state governments.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine whether acts of the legislative and executive branches are constitutional.