A.P. United States Government & Politics Review Guide

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the A.P. United States Government & Politics lecture notes for exam preparation.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative body that has two chambers or houses, typically the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Shared Powers

Powers that are held jointly by the national and state governments.

Separate Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

The Declaration of Independence

A document that justified the colonists' separation from Great Britain by listing grievances and asserting their rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak federal government that lacked the power to tax or raise an army.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, which established the framework of the government and includes checks and balances.

Separation of Powers

The principle that the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—operate independently and are meant to check each other.

Checks & Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch the authority to limit the powers of the others.

Brutus I

An essay that raised concerns about the potential for tyranny in a large republic and argued against the ratification of the Constitution.

Elastic Clause

The provision in the Constitution that allows Congress to make laws deemed necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

The clause in the Constitution that states federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Interstate Commerce Clause

The clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A Supreme Court case that established federal supremacy over state laws and upheld the implied powers of Congress.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause; allows Congress to enact laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, like states.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government or prohibited to the states, and thus are reserved for the states.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Disenfranchisement

The state of being deprived of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote.

Political Elites

Individuals who possess a disproportionate share of a valued resource, like political power.

Two-Party System

A political system dominated by two major parties, usually resulting in stability but potentially limiting choices for voters.

Direct Election

An electoral process in which voters directly select candidates for office, rather than through intermediaries.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Government spending that benefits a particular district or constituency, often used to gain favor with voters.

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy to achieve their specific goals.

Campaign Finance Reform

Legislation aimed at regulating the financing of political campaigns to reduce the influence of money in politics.