Foundations of American Democracy - AP Gov Unit 1 Summary

A collection of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts from the Foundations of American Democracy unit in AP Government.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights of all humans that cannot be surrendered or transferred; includes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Social Contract

The political theory that people consent to form a government to protect their rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Limited Government

The concept that the government has only the powers granted to it by the Constitution.

Republic

A representative form of government where elected officials make laws on behalf of the citizens.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy where citizens have an active role in politics and decision making.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy in which group-based activism is the predominant means of influence.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy where a small group of elites has significant power over political decision making.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison advocating for a large republic to control factions and protect minority rights.

Brutus No. 1

An essay arguing for participatory democracy and cautioning against a strong central government.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and accelerated the push for a stronger central government.

Great Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature combining the needs of both small and large states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise that counted enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for congressional apportionment.

Federalists

Individuals who support the new Constitution and a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Individuals who oppose the Constitution and advocate for states' rights.

Separation of Powers

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

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that the political power is not concentrated in the hands of individuals or groups.

Federalism

A system of governance where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

Supremacy Clause

The clause in the Constitution that establishes federal laws as the supreme law of the land.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The clause that allows Congress to make laws deemed necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

The clause giving Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states and with foreign nations.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A Supreme Court case that confirmed the supremacy of federal laws and acknowledged implied powers.

U.S. v. Lopez

A Supreme Court case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause and upheld the Tenth Amendment.