APGov – Foundations Unit Vocabulary (36)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, documents, theories, clauses, and court cases from the AP U.S. Government Foundations unit.

Limited Government

Principle that government actions are restricted by the Constitution; the government is not above the law.

Natural Rights

John Locke’s concept that all people are born with rights to life, liberty, and property that government must protect.

Popular Sovereignty

Idea that government’s power derives from the consent of "We the People."

Republic (Representative Democracy)

System in which citizens elect representatives to act on their behalf in government.

Social Contract

Voluntary agreement by individuals to form a government that secures natural rights in return for obedience to its laws.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document explaining the American colonies’ reasons for seeking independence from Britain.

U.S. Constitution

1787–1788 document establishing the structure, powers, and limits of the U.S. government, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Participatory Democracy

Theory that broad, direct participation by citizens should shape policy-making.

Pluralist Democracy

Theory that citizens influence policy mainly through competing interest groups.

Elite Democracy

Theory that policy should be made by a small number of educated, wealthy, or well-connected individuals.

Federalist No. 10

Essay arguing that a large republic best controls factions because numerous competing interests prevent any one from dominating.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist essay warning that a large republic would be unmanageable and the new Constitution too powerful.

Shays’ Rebellion

1787 uprising of Massachusetts farmers that exposed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred calls for a stronger central government.

Great Compromise

Constitutional Convention agreement creating a bicameral legislature with equal state representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

Electoral College

Body that elects the U.S. president; each state has electors equal to its total number of senators and representatives (270 needed to win).

Three-Fifths Compromise

Constitutional agreement to count three-fifths of enslaved persons for representation and taxation purposes.

Slavery Import Compromise

Provision barring Congress from banning the importation of slaves until 1808.

Separation of Powers

Division of governmental authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each with distinct functions.

Checks and Balances

System allowing each branch of government to limit the powers of the others, preventing tyranny.

Federalist No. 51

Essay asserting that separation of powers and checks and balances safeguard liberty and prevent abuse.

Access Points

Places within government (courts, agencies, legislatures, executives) where interest groups can exert influence.

Impeachment

Formal accusation by the House of Representatives that can lead to removal of a federal official, including the president.

Exclusive Powers

Authorities granted solely to the national government, such as declaring war or coining money.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by national and state governments, like taxing and building roads.

Grants

Federal funds provided to states, often with attached conditions that expand federal influence.

Revenue Sharing

Distribution of federal tax revenues to state and local governments.

Mandates

Federal orders requiring state or local governments to comply with specific conditions, often linked to funding.

Categorical Grants

Federal money designated for a specific purpose with detailed conditions on its use.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states with broad spending discretion and fewer restrictions.

10th Amendment

Constitutional amendment reserving powers not delegated to the federal government for the states or the people.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision granting Congress authority to regulate interstate commerce, often broadening federal power.

Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause

Clause allowing Congress to pass laws essential to executing its enumerated powers.

Enumerated (Expressed) Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution, primarily in Article I, Section 8.

Implied Powers

Powers not expressly stated but inferred from the Enumerated Powers through the Elastic Clause.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court case affirming national supremacy and upholding implied powers by allowing creation of a national bank.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Supreme Court decision ruling that Congress exceeded its Commerce Clause power with the Gun-Free School Zones Act.