AP Gov Unit 1 VOCAB

AP US Government and Politics

Anti-Federalists

A group opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because they believed it gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states and lacked a bill of rights.

The Articles of Confederation

the first written constitution of the United States, effective in 1781, creating a unicameral legislature with limited central government power.

bicameral legislature

two-house legislature, which divides the legislative body into two separate chambers.

a bill (in legislative terms)

a proposed law that is presented for debate and approval in a legislative body.

a bill of attainder

a law that makes a person guilty of a crime without a trial; such laws cannot be enacted by Congress or the states under the Constitution.

the Bill of Rights

consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect basic civil liberties.

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

It resolved differences between northern and southern states, allowing Congress to not tax exports or ban the slave trade for twenty years.

the Connecticut (Great) Compromise

It settled disputes over legislative structure by establishing a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

constituents

all residents of a state for senators and all residents of a district for House members.

the Constitution

the document that sets forth the laws and principles of the government, serving as a plan for government.

constitutional courts

federal courts created by Congress under Article III of the Constitution, including district courts and Courts of Appeals.

limited government

It refers to a government whose powers are restricted by a constitution or other authority.

natural rights

Basic rights guaranteed to all persons that the government cannot deny.

popular sovereignty

The principle that the people are the source of all governmental power.

a republic

A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

representative democracy

A system where citizens choose officials to make decisions for them.

the separation of powers

A model of governance where power is divided among branches, with limits on each branch's authority.

pluralism

A political model where no single group dominates, and organized groups compete to influence policy.

participatory democracy

A model where citizens directly engage in decision-making processes, fostering community involvement.

elite democracy

A model where a small, influential group makes political decisions, often based on wealth and education.

a unitary system of government

A system of government where all power is derived from a central authority, concentrating governmental power.

confederate government

A system characterized by a weak central authority, where sovereign states retain significant independence and power.

federal government

A system of government where power is shared between a central government and regional governments.

republican government

A system of government where the state is ruled by representatives elected by the people.

the Social Contract

An idea by John Locke proposing that governments are legitimate because they are based on the voluntary consent of the governed.