AP US Gov Unit 1

Politics

The process of making decisions for a group or society, involving power, conflict, and compromise.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away or denied, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Role of Government

Formal institutions and processes through which decisions are made for a society.

Liberty

Freedom from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority; the right to act, think, and speak freely.

Democracy

A system of government in which power comes from the people, either directly or through representatives.

Participatory Democracy

Democracy emphasizing broad citizen participation in politics and civil society.

Natural Rights

Rights people are born with, like life and liberty (Locke).

Civil Society Groups

Independent associations outside government (interest groups, nonprofits) that advance shared interests.

Social Contract

People give up some freedoms to government in exchange for protection of rights and order.

Pluralist Theory

Political power is distributed among many competing groups, preventing domination by one.

American Political Culture

Shared beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that shape U.S. politics.

Popular Sovereignty

Political authority comes from the people.

Constitutional Republic

Officials are elected by the people and must govern according to a constitution.

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.

Republic vs. Monarchy

Republic: consent of the governed, elected leaders; Monarchy: king or queen rules.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government (1781–1789), giving most power to states and creating a weak national government.

Unicameral vs. Bicameral

Unicameral = one legislative chamber; Bicameral = two (House + Senate).

Shays’s Rebellion

1786–87 farmers’ uprising highlighting weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention of 1787

Delegates wrote the U.S. Constitution, establishing a stronger national government.

Constitution

Written plan outlining the structure, powers, and limits of government.

Virginia Plan

Proposed representation based on population (favored large states).

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation regardless of state size (favored small states).

Grand Committee

Created compromises between large and small states at the Constitutional Convention.

Great Compromise

Bicameral Congress: House based on population, Senate with equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Enslaved people counted as three-fifths for representation and taxation.

Compromise on Importation

Allowed Congress to tax imports; banned outlawing slave trade until 1808.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Requires authorities to explain why someone is being held; protects against unlawful imprisonment.

Bills of Attainder

Laws punishing individuals without trial; forbidden by the Constitution.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Make actions illegal after the fact; forbidden by the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

Division of government authority among branches to prevent tyranny.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others to prevent dominance.

Federalism

Division of power between the national and state governments.

Legislative Branch

Makes laws (Congress: House + Senate).

Expressed (Enumerated) Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the national government.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Lets Congress make laws needed to carry out its expressed powers.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed but assumed through the necessary and proper clause.

Executive Branch

Enforces laws (President, Cabinet, federal agencies).

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws (Supreme Court and other federal courts).

Supremacy Clause

Constitution and federal laws are the “supreme law of the land.”

Federalists

Supported the Constitution and a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution; wanted stronger state governments and a Bill of Rights.

Federalist Papers

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting ratification of the Constitution.

Faction

A group of people united by a common interest, often seen as a threat to public interest.

Unitary System

Power held mainly by a central government.

Confederal System

States hold most power; weak national government.

Federal System

Power divided between national and state governments.

Exclusive Powers

Powers only the national government can use.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

Tenth Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states under the Constitution.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must respect laws, records, and court decisions of other states.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery in the U.S.

Fourteenth Amendment

Defines citizenship, guarantees equal protection, applies due process to the states.

Fifteenth Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race or previous condition of servitude.

Dual Federalism

National and state governments operate separately (“layer cake” federalism).

Cooperative Federalism

National and state governments work together on policies (“marble cake” federalism).

Grants-in-Aid

Federal money given to states to fund specific programs.

Fiscal Federalism

Federal use of money to influence state policies.

Categorical Grants

Federal money for a specific purpose, with strict rules.

Unfunded Mandate

Federal requirement imposed on states without money provided.

Block Grant

Federal money given to states for a general purpose with more flexibility.

Devolution

Returning power from the federal government to the states.

Revenue Sharing

Federal money distributed to states with no strings attached.

Legislative branch

Article I; makes laws (Congress: House & Senate).

Executive branch

Article II; enforces laws (President, VP, Cabinet).

Judicial branch

Article III; interprets laws (Supreme Court & lower courts).

Checks and balances

Each branch limits powers of the others.

Faction

Group united by shared interest adverse to public good (Federalist 10).

Federalists

Supported Constitution; favored strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed Constitution; favored stronger state governments.

Federalist Papers

Essays defending Constitution.

Federalist 10

Madison: factions inevitable; large republic protects against tyranny.

Federalist 51

Madison: separation of powers & checks

balances protect liberty.

Brutus

Feared strong national government would threaten states & liberty. Opposed Necessary & Proper Clause & Supremacy Clause. Supported small republics.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review; Marbury’s commission was blocked by Madison.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Confirmed federal supremacy; Maryland tried to tax the national bank.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Commerce Clause power; Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded federal authority.

Gonzales v. Raich (2005)

Congress could regulate local marijuana use under Commerce Clause, even if state law allowed it.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Declared school segregation unconstitutional (Equal Protection Clause).