Unit 1 Review: Fundamental Principles of American Democracy

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, and core principles of American democracy from Unit 1 review notes.

Democracy

A system of government in which supreme political authority rests with the people.

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or nation is governed.

Characteristics of the state

The four essential elements that define a political state: population, territory, sovereignty, and government.

Federal Government

A system of government where power is divided between a central national government and individual state governments.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which guarantee individual liberties and protections from government overreach.

Formal Amendment

A change or addition that becomes part of the written text of the Constitution through a formal ratification process.

Confederation

A union of independent states that join together for common purposes while retaining their individual sovereignty.

Checks and Balances

A system in which each branch of government has constitutional power to restrict or limit the actions of the other branches.

Separation of Powers

The distribution of government responsibilities into distinct legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Judicial Power

The authority to interpret laws, determine their meaning, and apply them to settle legal disputes.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that political authority belongs to the people and government exists only with their consent.

Limited Government

The concept that government power is restricted by constitutional law to protect individual rights.

Majority rule with minority rights

A principle where decisions are determined by a majority, but fundamental rights of minority groups are protected.

Unconstitutional

An action or law that violates constitutional provisions and is therefore declared null and void.

Legislative Power

The power to make laws and frame public policies.

Rule of Law

The principle that every citizen and government official is subject to and accountable under the law.

Amendment

A formal modification or addition made to a law, statute, or constitutional document.

Preamble of the Constitution

The introductory statement explaining the fundamental goals and purpose of the United States Constitution.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document written by Thomas Jefferson announcing the American colonies' separation from Great Britain and stating their fundamental rights.

John Locke

An Enlightenment thinker whose concepts of natural rights to life, liberty, and property influenced American democracy.

Montesquieu

An Enlightenment philosopher who advocated for the separation of government powers into separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Thomas Hobbes

An Enlightenment thinker who proposed the social contract theory and argued that order requires a strong ruler.

Thomas Jefferson

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence who articulated foundational principles of individual liberty.

Federalist 10

An essay written by James Madison arguing that a large republic is the most effective way to control the dangers of factions.

Federalist 51 and James Madison

An essay authored by James Madison explaining how separation of powers and checks and balances protect liberty.

Anti-Federalist

A group opposed to the strong central government created by the 1787 U.S. Constitution, favoring strong states and demanding a Bill of Rights.

Federalist

A group that supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and advocated for a strong national government.

Issues with the Articles of Confederation

Weaknesses of the first U.S. government, including the lack of central executive power, inability to tax, and weak federal government.

6 principles of government

The core tenets of the Constitution: popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism.

Separation of Powers

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