Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy, including democracy ideals, federalism, constitutional structure, and civil rights ideas.

Natural rights

Rights that exist by nature and precede government (e.g., life, liberty, property) and are protected by government.

Social contract

A theory that people consent to government in order to protect their natural rights, sacrificing some freedoms.

State of nature

Hypothetical pre-government condition used by philosophers (notably Locke) to justify forming governments.

Consent of the governed

The idea that legitimate political authority rests on the agreement of the people.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that sovereign authority comes from the people deliberating and consenting to government.

Republicanism

A system where citizens elect representatives to govern and make policy.

Separation of powers

Division of government powers among branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent tyranny.

Checks and balances

Each branch’s capacity to limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse.

Federalism

Division of power between national (federal) and state governments.

Enumerated (delegated) powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

Reserved powers

Powers kept by the states rather than transferred to the federal government.

Concurrent powers

Powers that both the national and state governments can exercise.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Constitutional clause allowing Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land over state laws.

Full Faith and Credit

Constitutional requirement that states recognize other states’ official acts and records.

Privileges and Immunities

Prohibits states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Extradition

States must return individuals charged with crimes to the state where the crime occurred.

Bill of Rights

The first ten Amendments; protect individual rights and limit government power.

Great Compromise

Agreement creating a bicameral Congress: proportional House and equal Senate representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation in the House.

Runaway Slave Clause

Provision protecting slaveholders’ rights related to escaped slaves returning to owners.

Slave Trade Clause

clause addressing the future of the international slave trade (delayed protections).

Electoral College

Body of electors that formally elects the president; outcome often determined by states’ winner-take-all votes.

Direct election of Senators (17th Amendment)

Senators are elected by voters rather than state legislatures.

Judicial review

Power of courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional (established in Marbury v. Madison).

Marbury v. Madison

1803 Supreme Court case establishing judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

1819 case affirming federal supremacy and implied powers via the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Nullification

States’ claim that they can declare federal laws unconstitutional (Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions).

Dual federalism

Layer-cake view; distinct, separate spheres of national and state power.

Cooperative federalism (marble cake)

Intertwined federal and state responsibilities and powers.

New Federalism

Policy shift toward returning power to states, emphasizing block grants.

Grants-in-aid

Federal funds given to states with various conditions, requirements, or flexibility.

Categorical grants

Grants with specific purposes and strings attached; tight federal control.

Block grants

Grants with general purposes and fewer restrictions; more state discretion.

Revenue sharing

Least restrictive federal funding with broad state/local spending flexibility.

Mandates

Federal requirements states must follow, sometimes with funding or sometimes unfunded.

Unfunded mandates

Federal requirements without accompanying funding to cover costs.

Devolution

Shifting power from federal to state governments, often via block grants.

Shays’s Rebellion

1786-87 uprising that highlighted AoC weaknesses and spurred Constitutional reform.

Articles of Confederation

Original framework for U.S. government; weak central government, strong states.

Ratification

Formal approval by the states to adopt the Constitution; required nine states initially.

Amendment process

Method to change the Constitution: proposal (2/3 Congress or national convention) and ratification (3/4 states).

Judicial activism

Judges actively shaping policy through their interpretations and rulings.

Civil disobedience

Nonviolent refusal to obey unjust laws, accepting penalties as a form of protest.

State power vs federal power

The ongoing balance between state sovereignty and national authority in American federalism.