AP U.S. Government and Politics - Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering AP U.S. Government & Politics Unit 1 foundational principles, federalism, required documents, Supreme Court cases, and Constitutional Convention compromises based on the provided review materials.

Head Start

A program initiated by President Lyndon Johnson as part of his Great Society agenda, administered by HHS, serving over $1\text{ million}$ children with $10.6\text{ billion}$ budgeted for fiscal year $2020$ to provide early childhood education, basic health care services, and nutritional assistance to low-income families.

Categorical Grants

Federal money given to states for a specific purpose, requiring recipients to spend the funds as specifically mandated by the program.

Block Grants

Federal money given to states for a general area, providing states with more flexibility in spending.

Federal Revenue Sharing

Federal money given to states with fewer restrictions on how it is spent.

Mandates

Federal requirements that state governments must follow.

Dual Federalism

A system of governance in which the federal and state governments have separate areas of powers.

Cooperative Federalism

A system of governance in which federal and state governments work together.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional clause granting Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional clause that allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its constitutional powers.

10th Amendment

Constitutional amendment stating that powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.

14th Amendment

Constitutional amendment that provides equal protection and due process.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government.

Implied Powers

Powers not directly listed in the Constitution but reasonably inferred from it.

McCulloch v. Maryland ($1819$)

Supreme Court case that confirmed implied powers and federal supremacy, ruling that Maryland could not tax the national bank.

United States v. Lopez ($1995$)

Supreme Court case that limited Congress's Commerce Clause power, ruling the federal government could not ban guns near schools under that power.

Declaration of Independence

Required foundational document that explains natural rights and why the colonies separated from Britain.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. government structure that created a weak national government that could declare war, make treaties, coin money, and conduct foreign affairs, but could not tax citizens directly or regulate interstate commerce.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising where farmers rebelled over debt and taxes, demonstrating that the national government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak.

Great Compromise

Constitutional Convention agreement that created a bicameral Congress with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with $2$ members per state.

3/5 Compromise

Agreement counting enslaved people as $3/5$ of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Electoral College

System used to choose the president of the United States through state-based elections.

Amendment Process

Constitutional process requiring a $2/3$ proposal by Congress and ratification by $3/4$ of the states.

Importation of Slaves Compromise

Constitutional agreement stating that Congress could not ban the importation of enslaved people until $1808$.

Separation of Powers

Division of government authority into three branches: Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), and Judicial (interprets laws).

Checks and Balances

System where each branch of government can limit the others, such as the president vetoing a congressional bill or Congress overriding a veto.

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government, such as declaring war and coining money.

Reserved Powers

Powers held exclusively by state governments, such as overseeing public education and issuing driver's licenses.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments, including taxation, establishing courts, and law enforcement.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights people are born with, defined as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Social Contract

Agreement in which people give government power in exchange for the protection of their rights.

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that the people are the source of all government power.

Limited Government

Principle that government power is restricted and must follow the law and the Constitution.

Republicanism

Model of government where people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Participatory Democracy

Model of democracy where citizens directly participate in politics through actions such as voting, protests, and town halls.

Pluralist Democracy

Model of democracy where competing groups (such as interest groups and lobbying) influence government decisions.

Elite Democracy

Model of democracy where a small group of wealthy and powerful individuals holds greater influence over decision-making.

Federalist No. 10

Foundational essay arguing that factions are inevitable, but a large republic with many competing factions prevents any single group from dominating.

Federalist No. 51

Foundational essay arguing that separation of powers and checks and balances prevent people in government from abusing power.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist essay warning that a strong federal government could become too powerful and threaten state sovereignty and individual rights.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Federalists supported the Constitution and wanted a stronger national government to control factions, whereas Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution and wanted stronger state governments to protect individual rights.