AP GOV UNIT 1 VOCAB

Limited Government

government structure in which government actions are limited by law

Natural Rights- John Locke

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Social Contract theory- John Locke

The belief that government should exist to enforce the will of society, as society is the real holder of power, and not the government.

Popular Sovereignty

Government derive their power from the consent of the people

Declaration of Indepence

The Act of 1776, by which the Continental Congress declared the colonies to be free and independent of England

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States. It governed America during the Revolutionary War

Preamble and Constitution

The opening of Constitution and the document that outlines the principles of US government

Participartory Democracy

Citizens should participate and get involved in politics

Pluralist Democracy

citizen participation in groups is the key to political power

Elite Democracy

individuals of the higher class hold a significant influence in political-decision making, even if it's not the popular opinion

Federalist #10

by James Madison, says how separation of powers is important (checks and balances) to guard against factions, special interest groups, and making sure nobody gets too much power.

Brutus #1

To argue against a strong central government. Too much power - The "necessary and proper clause" and "supremacy clause" gives too much power to the central government.

Federalists

supporters of the Constitution and of a strong national government

Anti-Federalists

People who opposed the Constitution and a strong national government

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

Factions

Groups such as parties or interest groups, which according to James Madison arose from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and had the potential to cause instability in government.

Shay's Rebellion

An armed uprising led by farmers/veterans in Massachusetts due to severe debt caused by high taxes at the end of the Revolutionary War.

Significance: showed the weakness of Articles of Confederation because it was unable to maintain order and pay its veterans, leading to the Constitutional Convention

The Virginia Plan

Proposed a strong national government

Bicameral legislation (2 houses)

Representation is based on the state population (liked by larger states)

The New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Resolution between states wanting representation based on population and equal representation. Combining parts of the Virginia and New Jersey Plan regarding representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Shows how enslaved people would be counted for taxation and representation. For every 5 enslaved people, 3 would be counted towards state's population.

Purpose: to resolve disagreement between Northern (opposed counting slaves) and Southern states (wanted slave population)

Ex post facto law

law that makes an act punishable as a crime even if the action was legal at the time it was committed

Bill of attainder

a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law

Full Faith and Credit Clause

state courts should respect the decision of other state courts

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

Seperation of powers/ Checks and Balances

The system between the 3 branches of government that gives each individual powers and the ability to check the powers of the other branches

Federalist #51

Separation of powers & checks & balances protects against tyranny

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake)

• Clear division of powers for the national and state governments. Each has specific areas of authority.

• Little federal regulation

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake)

• Overlapping and intertwined powers between the national and state governments.

• National government

Fiscal Federalism

Federal government using money (grants) to influence & control states.

Mandates

A federal policy that states MUST follow whether or not they get funded

Block Grants

Money from the national government that states can spend for broadly defined purposes. Ex: Education, social services

Categorical Grants

Federal money/grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport

Clean Air Act 1970

A US federal law designed to control air pollution and protect public's health

Americans with Disabilities Act

Prohibits discrimination against the disabled in places such as employment and public accommodations

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can pass all laws necessary and proper to execute their enumerated powers

Commerce Clause

Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.

Enumerated Powers

Powers only given to the national government

Implied Powers

Powers that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are understood to be granted to the federal government because it is necessary to carry out their enumerated powers.