AP government Unit 1 Test REVIEW

Natural rights

Rights people are born with — life, liberty, and property (Locke). Governments exist to protect these rights.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that power comes from the people; government rules with the consent of the governed.

Social contract

An agreement where people give up some freedom to government in exchange for protection of rights.

Limited government

A system where government powers are restricted by the Constitution to protect individual rights.

Republicanism

A form of government where citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions for them.

Federalism

A division of power between the national and state governments.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes broad, direct participation of citizens in politics.

Participatory democracy advantage

Citizens have strong influence and feel directly involved in government decisions.

Participatory democracy disadvantage

Difficult to maintain efficiency in a large, complex society.

Pluralist democracy

A model where power is distributed among many competing interest groups that influence policy.

Pluralist democracy advantage

Prevents domination by one single group and encourages compromise.

Pluralist democracy disadvantage

Too many competing interests can lead to political gridlock.

Elite democracy

A model where a small number of wealthy or educated elites hold power and make policy decisions.

Elite democracy advantage

Can create stable and informed decision-making.

Elite democracy disadvantage

Limits influence of the average citizen and can ignore majority interests.

Federalists believed

In a strong central government to control factions and maintain order (Federalist 10 & 51).

Federalist 10 says

Factions are inevitable but a large republic will control their effects.

Federalist 51 says

Separation of powers and checks and balances protect against tyranny.

Anti-Federalists believed

A strong central government would threaten states' rights and individual liberties (Brutus 1).

Brutus 1 says

A large republic cannot represent the people effectively and will lead to loss of liberty.

The Articles of Confederation created

A weak national government where states held most of the power.

Major problems with the Articles were

No power to tax, no executive branch, no court system, and could not enforce laws.

The Constitution fixed the Articles by

Creating stronger federal powers like taxation, executive enforcement, and national courts.

Shays' Rebellion showed

The weakness of the Articles and led to calls for a stronger federal government.

Great Compromise

Bicameral legislature (House by population, Senate equal).

3/5 Compromise

enslaved people counted as 3/5 for representation.

Electoral College

indirect election of the president.

Slave Trade Compromise

allowed slave trade until 1808.

Amendment Process

Proposal by 2/3 of Congress or states → ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures or conventions.

Framers' Intent for Amendments

They wanted stability and to prevent frequent changes.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Checks and Balances

Each branch has powers to limit the others to prevent abuse.

Article I Enumerated Powers

Powers of Congress such as taxing, declaring war, and regulating commerce.

Article II Faithfully Execute Clause

The president must enforce and carry out the laws passed by Congress.

Article III Judicial Review

Courts can declare laws unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison).

Article VI Supremacy Clause

Federal law is the 'supreme law of the land' over state laws.

Delegated Powers

Powers given to the federal government (ex: coin money, declare war, regulate interstate trade).

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states (ex: education, marriage laws, public safety).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments (ex: taxing, enforcing laws, building roads).

Revenue Sharing

Federal money given to states with no conditions attached.

Federal Mandates

Federal requirements states must follow, sometimes without funding (ex: ADA).

Unfunded Mandates

Mandates that require states to comply without federal money to help.

Block Grants

Federal funds for broad purposes with more state control (ex: welfare).

Categorical Grants

Federal funds for specific purposes with strict rules (ex: school lunches, highways).

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states → increases state power.

Commerce Clause

Congress power to regulate interstate trade → expands federal power.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress the power to make laws needed to carry out its duties → expands federal power.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law overrides state laws → expands federal power.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Congress can create a national bank (Necessary and Proper Clause) and states cannot tax it (Supremacy Clause). → Strengthened federal power.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Congress exceeded its power by banning guns near schools under the Commerce Clause. → Strengthened state power and limited Congress.