AP US Government and Politics - Foundational Documents Review

Vocabulary flashcards for the nine required foundational documents for the AP US Government and Politics exam.

Declaration of Independence

A document written to justify the American Revolution by using Enlightenment ideas to persuade Loyalists and powerful Europeans to support the Patriot cause.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away, such as life, liberty, and property, according to John Locke.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the people are the source of the government's power; the government can only do what the people allow it to do.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States (1781-1789), which established a weak central government and strong state governments.

Confederation

A system of government where the central government has less power than the individual states.

Brutus 1

An Anti-Federalist paper arguing against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, contending that it would give the federal government unlimited power and diminish democracy due to the large size of the country.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

A clause in the Constitution that, according to Brutus 1, could create a federal government with limitless power.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the U.S. Constitution that, according to Brutus 1, gives the federal government the authority to cancel out any state law, reducing the importance of state governments.

Federalist 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that the Constitution should be ratified because a strong central government will prevent the harm caused by factions.

Factions

Groups of people with common interests, which Madison argues are natural but can be dangerous if not controlled.

Pluralism

The idea of multiple factions or interest groups constantly pushing back on one another, preventing any one faction from dominating.

Federalist 51

An essay by James Madison arguing that the separation of powers and checks and balances in the Constitution prevent the abuse of power by the government.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental power into three separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government has the power to limit the actions of the other two branches.

Federalist 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a single, powerful executive (president) to ensure energy and efficiency in executing the law and responding to crises.

Federalist 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton advocating for a strong, independent judiciary with life terms for justices and the power of judicial review.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to strike down laws passed by Congress or state legislatures, established in Marbury v. Madison.

The United States Constitution

America’s second constitution, which created a central government that is much stronger than the state governments.

Federalism

A system of power being divided between the central government and state governments.

Reserved Powers

Powers not clearly and explicitly given to the federal government that are reserved to the states or to the people, as stated in the 10th Amendment.

Fiscal Federalism

The partnership between the federal government and the states in policymaking, where the federal government makes and pays for policy, and the states enact it.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution, such as the power to pass laws, tax, spend, and declare war (Article 1, Section 8).

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically listed for the president in the Constitution (Article 2), such as commanding the armed forces and vetoing bills.

Inherent Powers

Powers of the president not explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as going public and issuing executive orders.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

A letter written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. defending civil disobedience and the need for nonviolent protest against segregation.