AP Government: Constitutional Underpinnings and Key Concepts

Flashcards covering key concepts, principles, and historical documents related to the constitutional aspects of American government.

Direct Democracy – citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions. True or False?

True

_ is the first ever attempt to limit the power of the British King, guaranteeing all people certain rights.

Magna Carta (1215)

The principle that people enter into a __ with the government and allow themselves to be ruled.

social contract

Natural Rights refer to the rights of life, liberty, and __.

property

The is Thomas Jefferson's document based on the principles of 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'.

Declaration of Independence

Common Good refers to the belief in doing what’s best for the __ overall.

nation

The principle that the ultimate authority rests with the people is known as _.

Popular Sovereignty

Majority Rule is the belief that government is run based on the _ of the majority.

will

The Articles of Confederation were a weak association of states, meaning states were very __.

independent

The first constitution was established during the __ Convention in Philadelphia, 1787.

Constitutional

The ___ Compromise established a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and one giving equal representation to all states.

Connecticut

The Federalists supported the Constitution because it gave power to a _ central government.

strong

The Federalist Paper #10 discusses the importance of __ and how they are best managed in a large republic.

factions

The clause gives Congress the power to regulate interstate trade.

Interstate Commerce

___ powers are those that are expressly listed in the Constitution for the Federal government.

Enumerated

Implied powers are based on the ___ clause allowing Congress flexibility to make necessary laws.

necessary and proper

The clause establishes that federal law is superior to state law.

Supremacy

The _ Clause requires states to honor the laws and court rulings of other states.

Full Faith and Credit

The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten to the Constitution that guarantee individual and states' rights.

amendments

Amendments to the Constitution require ___ of Congress to propose and ___ of states to ratify.

2/3; 3/4

The is an educational guide that describes a coherent way of thinking about politics and government.

Political Culture

Liberalism calls for ___ federal government involvement to provide for the people.

large

Demographics refer to characteristics of population such as income, education, race, and _.

gender

The _ is every 10 years and counts the population for representation.

Census

The practice of drawing district boundaries to benefit a specific party is called _.

Gerrymandering

The Voting Rights Act eliminated laws that discriminated against and ensured equal access to voting.

blacks