AP Government Unit 1 Vocabulary (HUY Tested)

Anti-Federalists

opposed to a centralized government; preferred the Articles of Confederation and opposed the drafting of the new Constitution

Ex. Thomas Jefferson

Bicameral legislature

two separate houses/chambers in the legislature

ex. the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States

Central Government

a government with controlling power over an entire state

The U.S. federal government

checks and balances

a system designed to ensure that neither branch of government has dominating control over the other

Commerce Clause

allows the federal government to regulate commerce between states and other foreign nations

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3

Direct Democracy

Voters directly get to decide on policies for the entire jurisdiction
Ex. Statewide ballot initiatives

Elastic Clause

permits Congress to take any appropriate actions that are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution

Also the Necessary and Proper Clause
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

Electoral College

Method to determine the Election of the President. Each state nominates Electors to vote for the Presidential Election

Enumerated powers

powers granted to congress

Ex. regulating interstate commerce, supporting armies
(Article 1, Section 8)

Exclusive powers

Powers reserved for either the Federal or State Government

Federalism/Federal System

Equal power between a national government and a regional government

(Federal and State Government)

Federalists

Supporters of a strong central government, strongly supported the Constitution

Ex. Alexander Hamilton

Full Faith and Credit Clause

State courts are to respect rulings from other states, to prevent conflict

Article IV, Section I

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

States are congressionally represented in a Bicameral legislature. One house represents states by population, the other represents states all the same.

(House of Representatives and Senate)

Implied Powers

Powers that are suggested to be given, though not explicitly.

Ex. Raise an Army, Establish post offices, Create a National Bank

Judicial Review

Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have the authority to interpret the Constitution, and the Supreme Court itself is the final say

Limited government

Governments restricted in their power; Few laws about what individuals and businesses can't do.

Can be associated with Laissez-faire economics

Natural Rights

a legal theory that declares the existence of certain rights all people are entitled to, particularly... "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness"

Necessary and Proper Clause

Permits Congress to take any appropriate actions that are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution

Also the Elastic Clause,
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

New Jersey Plan

All states receive the same congressional representation; Later implemented through the Senate

Popular Sovereignty

If the people are the ones who consent and sustain the government, the power should reside with the people

Privileges and Immunities Clause

citizens of each state have the same rights as citizens of other states; prevents discrimination of out-of-state citizens

Article IV, Section 2, Clause 1

Reserved Powers

Powers delegated to the states

Separation of powers

No branch of government has complete control

works with checks and balances

Shay's Rebellion

Massachusetts uprising due to high taxes and terrible economic conditions; The Federal Government's limitations motivated the replacement of the Articles of Confederation with the new Constitution

Limitations were an inability to directly tax people, can only request money from state governments, and no national army

Social contract

Philosophy that states that the people give up some of their rights to the government, so long as the government works to serve and help the people. If this were to be violated, the people would have the right to rebel

Supremacy Clause

Federal Law overrules State Laws; it is the supreme Law of the Land

Article VI, Clause 2

Three-Fifths Compromise

Each enslaved person counts as 3/5 of a person for Congressional Representation

Unicameral legislature

One chamber/assembly in the legislature

Virginia Plan

States receive congressional representation based on population; Later implemented through the House of Representatives