AP Gov Unit 1.5 Review

Limited government

A principle that restricts governmental power, ensuring individual rights and liberties are protected. It opposes absolute authority and promotes a system where the government's powers are defined and limited by law.

Natural rights

Fundamental rights inherent to all individuals, often cited as life, liberty, and property. These rights are not granted by government but are considered universal and inalienable.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically expressed through votes. It emphasizes that the power rests with the citizens.

Representative Republic

A form of government in which elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the citizens. This system combines elements of democracy and republicanism, ensuring that officials are accountable to the populace.

Republicanism

A political ideology that advocates for a government in which representatives are elected by the citizens to serve and make decisions on their behalf, emphasizing the importance of civic virtue and the public good.

Elite Democracy

Elected representatives that make decisions and act as trustees for the people who elected

Participatory Democracy

Depends on the direct participation of many, if not most people in a society, not only in government but in public life

Pluralist Democracy

People with widely varying interests find others who share their interest and organize and unite into nongovernmental interest groups

Representative Democracy

A government in which the people entrust elected officials to represent their concerns

Interest Group

An organization of people sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence public policy and government decision-making.

Federalists

Political group that advocated for strong national government and ratification of 1787 Constitution

Anti-Federalist

Early American political group that opposed strong national government and wanted states to retain power, wanted Bill of rights

Bicameral

Legislative structure composed of two separate houses or chambers

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the U.S Constitution, gives personal freedoms and limits federal power

Constitutional Convention

A gathering in 1787 in Philadelphia where delegates drafted U.S Constitution to replace Articles of Confederation

Electoral College

Official body established by the Constitution to indirectly elect President and Vice President

Great Compromise

Agreement reached at 1787 convention that created House of Representatives and the Senate in order to compromise between Feds and Anti-Feds

New Jersey Plan

Proposal assuring states their sovereignty through a national government that had limited powers, calling for a unicameral system

Virginia Plan

Proposal at Constitutional Convention calling for bicameral legislature with representation based on population

Ratification

Formal approval of constitutional amendment to make it valid

3/5th’s Compromise

From 1787 Constitutional Convention, counting 3 out of every 5 enslaved individuals for state and representation purposes

Checks and Balances

grants each branch of government mechanisms to limit, monitor, and restrain the actions of the other branches

Separation of Powers

The division of responsibilities into distinct executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent power from spewing to just one person.

Commerce Clause

Granting Congress power to regulate trade with foreign nations and among states.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional provision authorizing Congress to pass all laws needed to execute its enumerated powers.

Elastic Clause

Another name for Necessary and Proper clause, showing the clauses ability to be flexible for Congress to make laws.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically given to federal government from Constitution

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitutional requirement stating that states respect and enforce public acts, records, and judicial proceedings, and laws of other states.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional provision establishing federal law and treaties take precedence over conflicting state laws

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of U.S, was weak at federal level and strong in states.

Shay’s Rebellion

Armed uprising from Massachusetts farmers in 1786-1787 protesting against the government under Articles of Confederation as they lost their farms due to not being able to meet expensive mortgages.

Federalist 10

Papers written by James Madison arguing for a large republic because it better controls one faction from gaining too much power

Federalist 51

Essay written by James Madison explaining how separation of powers and checks and balances protects citizens’ liberty within a federal system

Brutus 1

Essay from Anti-Federalists arguing that large national government would destroy personal liberty and state sovereignty

Article I (1)

Legislative Branch

Article II (2)

Est. Executive Branch

Article III (3)

Sets up Judicial Branch

IV (4)

Explains states’ relationships w/ each other and the fed. gov.

Article V (5)

Amendment process

Article VI (6)

Declares Constitution and federal laws the supreme law of the land

Article VII

Ratification process