AP U.S. Government - Unit I: Foundations of American Democracy Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards generated from AP U.S. Government Unit I: Foundations of American Democracy key terms list.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution who advocated for states' rights and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States (1781–1789), which created a weak central government and strong sovereign states.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee individual liberties and fundamental rights.

Brutus No. 1

An Antifederalist essay arguing that a large central republic under the Constitution would destroy individual liberty and state sovereignty.

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches to prevent tyranny.

Civil liberties

Fundamental rights and constitutional freedoms protected from government infringement, primarily set forth in the Bill of Rights.

Civil rights

Legal rights that protect individuals from arbitrary discrimination by governments or private entities, ensuring equal treatment under the law.

Coalition

An alliance of different political parties or interest groups combining efforts to achieve a political objective.

Commerce Clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution granting Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared jointly by both the national federal government and individual state governments, such as taxing.

Connecticut Compromise/Great Compromise

An agreement at the 1787 Constitutional Convention establishing a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, establishing the structural framework, powers, and limits of the national government.

Constitutional amendment

A formal change, addition, or deletion made to the U.S. Constitution through processes outlined in Article V.

Constitutional democracy

A form of government based on popular sovereignty in which the powers of government are defined and limited by a constitution.

Cruel and unusual punishment

Inhumane or disproportionate punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 foundational document declaring the political separation of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain based on natural rights.

Double jeopardy

A Fifth Amendment constitutional protection preventing an individual from being prosecuted twice for the exact same offense.

“Elastic” clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution, granting Congress the authority to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out its powers.

Electoral College

The constitutional body of electors that officially selects the President and Vice President of the United States.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy where a small, wealthy, or educated group holds a disproportionate amount of political decision-making power.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly written and granted to the national government in the U.S. Constitution.

Equal protection clause

A clause in the Fourteenth Amendment prohibiting states from denying any person equal protection under the laws.

Establishment clause

A First Amendment clause prohibiting the federal government from establishing or supporting an official state religion.

Faction

A group of citizens united by a common passion or interest that is adverse to the rights of others or the permanent interests of the community.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central national government and regional state governments.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison asserting that a large republic is the most effective way to control the destructive effects of factions.

Federalist No. 39

An essay by James Madison outlining the republican nature of the government and explaining its national and federal components.

Federalist No. 51

An essay by James Madison advocating for separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent government tyranny.

Federalist No. 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a strong, unified, single executive leader in the presidency.

Federalist No.78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton examining the judicial branch, emphasizing judicial independence and judicial review.

Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalists

Supporters of the ratification of the 1787 U.S. Constitution who favored a strong national central government.

Free exercise clause

A First Amendment provision protecting citizens' rights to practice their religion without government interference.

Full faith and credit clause

Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution requiring states to recognize and respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Impeachment

The formal constitutional process by which the House of Representatives brings charges against a government official.

Implied powers

Powers of the federal government not explicitly stated in the Constitution but reasonably inferred through the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Inherent powers

Powers that belong to the national government simply because it is a sovereign nation in the international community.

Incorporation/Selective Incorporation

The constitutional doctrine applying protections from the Bill of Rights to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process clause.

Judicial review

The power of courts to review and declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Limited government

A foundational principle that government power is restricted by law and a constitution to protect individual rights.

John Locke

An Enlightenment philosopher whose theory of natural rights (life, liberty, property) and the social contract inspired founding American ideas.

Mandate

Federal requirement that state or local governments must comply with, which may or may not be federally funded.

Marble cake federalism

A model of federalism (cooperative federalism) characterized by mixed responsibilities and blurred boundaries between national and state powers.

Natural law

The concept that human rights exist inherently by nature, prior to and independent of government authority.

“Necessary and proper” clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution giving Congress authority to make laws necessary to carry out enumerated federal powers.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing broad, direct citizen involvement and participation in politics and policy-making.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy emphasizing organized group competition, where multiple interest groups influence decision-making.

Privileges and Immunities clause

Article IV, Section 2 clause preventing states from discriminating against citizens of other states in fundamental rights.

Republic

A system of government where elected representatives govern on behalf of the sovereign citizens.

Separation of church and state

The principle derived from the First Amendment prohibiting state-sponsored religion and government interference in religious practice.

Separation of powers

The division of government authority into distinct legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent concentrated power.

Shared powers

Powers exercised concurrently by both state governments and the federal national government.

Shays’ Rebellion

A 1786 uprising of Massachusetts farmers that exposed major weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Supremacy clause

Article VI, Clause 2 declaring the U.S. Constitution and federal laws to be the supreme law of the land over conflicting state laws.

Tenth Amendment

An amendment establishing that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A constitutional agreement counting three-fifths of enslaved people for determining congressional representation and direct taxation.

writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring authorities to bring a detainee before a court to determine if their imprisonment is legally justified.