American Government and Civics Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining foundational terms, landmark Supreme Court cases, political figures, theories, and constitutional structure in U.S. government.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between the federal/national government and state governments.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a government to rule over its territory and people.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government.

Implied Powers

Powers not directly written in the Constitution but considered necessary to carry out enumerated powers.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments, such as taxation and borrowing money.

Police Powers

State powers to protect health, safety, welfare, and morals of their residents.

States’ Rights

The idea that states have important powers and authority separate from the federal government.

Devolution

The transfer of power from the federal government to state or local governments.

Federal Mandates

Requirements that the federal government imposes on state or local governments.

Infrastructure

Basic systems needed for society, such as roads, bridges, transportation, water, and utilities.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review—the power of courts to declare government actions unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Confirmed implied federal powers and established that states cannot interfere with constitutional federal actions.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Strengthened federal power over interstate commerce.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)

The Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee Nation was not a “foreign nation” for purposes of the Court’s original jurisdiction.

Indian Wars

Conflicts between Native American nations, settlers, and U.S. forces over land, resources, and sovereignty.

Forced Removal

The forced relocation of Native American peoples from their ancestral lands, including the Trail of Tears.

John Marshall

Chief Justice who strengthened the Supreme Court and federal government.

Thomas Jefferson

3rd president; supported limited government, individual liberty, states’ rights, and agrarianism.

James Madison

4th president and major contributor to the Constitution and Federalist Papers.

Social Contract Theory

The idea that people agree to create government in exchange for order, security, and protection of rights.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher who argued that people need a strong government to prevent disorder and insecurity.

John Locke

Philosopher who argued people have natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Popular Consent

The idea that government gets its authority from the consent of the people.

Legitimacy

The belief that a government has the rightful authority to rule.

Tyranny

The oppressive or unjust use of government power.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about how government and society should be organized.

Montesquieu

Enlightenment thinker who supported separation of powers.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government power among three branches to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.

Article I

Creates the Legislative Branch—Congress.

Article II

Creates the Executive Branch—the President.

Article III

Creates the Judicial Branch—the federal courts.

Article IV

Deals primarily with relationships between the states.

Bicameralism

Having a legislature with two chambers.

Two Chambers of Congress

The House of Representatives and Senate.

House of Representatives Basis

Representation is based on state population.

House Member's Term Length

2 years.

Senate Representation

2 senators per state, regardless of population.

Senator's Term Length

6 years.

Staggered Senate Terms

About one-third of Senate seats are up for election every two years.

Articles of Confederation

America’s first national government; it created a weak national government and gave states most of the power.

Federalist Papers

Essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting ratification of the Constitution.

Republicanism

A system where citizens govern through elected representatives.

Representation

Elected officials act on behalf of citizens.

Treaties

Formal agreements between countries; the president negotiates them and the Senate gives advice and consent.

Full Faith and Credit

States generally must recognize the public records, laws, and court decisions of other states.

Native American Forms of Government

Indigenous nations had diverse systems including chiefs, councils, confederacies, clans, and consensus-based decision-making.

Citizenship in Ancient Greece

Citizenship could include political participation, but it was generally limited to certain groups, especially adult male citizens in Athens.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly participate in making political decisions instead of relying entirely on representatives.

Political Participation

Actions people take to influence government, such as voting, protesting, campaigning, and contacting officials.

Functions of Government

Maintain order, provide security, make laws, protect rights, provide services, and manage public affairs.

Institution

An established organization or system that structures political or social behavior, such as Congress, courts, or political parties.

Elite Theory

The theory that political power tends to be concentrated among a small group of influential people.

Oligarchy

Government where power is controlled by a small group.

Libertarianism

A political philosophy emphasizing individual freedom and limited government.

Jeffersonian Democracy

Jefferson’s political vision emphasizing limited government, individual liberty, states’ rights, and an agrarian society.