U.S. Government and Constitution Key Concepts for Civics and APUSH

Limited government

Government power is restricted; it cannot be absolute.

Natural rights

Rights all people are born with: life, liberty, property.

Popular sovereignty

Government power comes from the people.

Republicanism

People choose representatives to make decisions for them.

Social contract

People give up some freedoms for protection and order.

Representative democracy

Citizens elect leaders to make public policy.

Participatory democracy

Lots of people get involved in politics.

Pluralist democracy

Many groups compete to influence government.

Elite democracy

A small group of powerful people influences decisions.

Declaration of Independence

Explains natural rights and why the U.S. should be independent.

U.S. Constitution

Blueprint for U.S. government; creates a limited government.

Federalist 10

A large republic controls factions best.

Brutus 1

Warns that a strong national government threatens liberty.

Articles of Confederation

America's first constitution; too weak (no tax power, no army).

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution; wanted stronger state governments.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution and a stronger national government.

Democracy

Power held by the people, directly or through elections.

Faction

A self-interested group.

Shays' Rebellion

Showed the Articles were too weak.

Great Compromise

Bicameral Congress: House = population; Senate = equal representation.

Electoral College

Electors choose the president.

3/5 Compromise

Enslaved people counted as 3/5 for representation and taxes.

Constitutional Convention

Meeting where the Constitution was written.

Article V

Describes how to amend the Constitution.

Ratification

Approval of the Constitution by state conventions.

Separation of powers

Government divided into three branches with unique powers.

Checks and balances

Each branch can limit the others.

Federalist 51

Explains how separation of powers protects liberty.

Impeachment

House formally accuses an official of wrongdoing.

Removal

Senate convicts and removes the official.

Federalism

Power shared between federal and state governments.

Enumerated powers

Powers directly listed in the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers suggested by the Necessary & Proper Clause.

Reserved powers

Powers kept by the states (10th Amendment).

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by national and state governments.

Revenue sharing

Federal money given with almost no restrictions.

Categorical grants

Federal funds for a specific purpose.

Block grants

Federal money for broad purposes; states prefer these.

Mandates

Federal orders states must follow.

Tenth Amendment (concept)

Powers not delegated to the federal gov belong to the states.

Fourteenth Amendment (concept)

Guarantees due process and equal protection from states.

Commerce Clause

Allows the federal government to regulate interstate trade.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Lets Congress make laws needed to carry out its powers.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is above state law.

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms.

3rd Amendment

No quartering of soldiers.

4th Amendment

No unreasonable searches or seizures; need a warrant.

5th Amendment

Due process, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination, eminent domain.

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy public trial, lawyer, witnesses.

7th Amendment

Right to a jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment; no excessive bail.

9th Amendment

People have rights not listed in the Constitution.

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal gov are reserved to the states.

11th Amendment

Limits lawsuits against states.

12th Amendment

Separate ballots for president and VP.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Citizenship, due process, equal protection.

15th Amendment

Voting rights cannot be denied by race.

16th Amendment

Allows federal income tax.

17th Amendment

Direct election of senators.

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol.

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage (women can vote).

20th Amendment

Changes inauguration dates (lame duck).

21st Amendment

Repeals prohibition.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

23rd Amendment

Washington D.C. gets electoral votes.

24th Amendment

Ends poll taxes.

25th Amendment

Presidential succession and disability procedures.

26th Amendment

Voting age lowered to 18.

27th Amendment

Congress cannot raise its own pay immediately.