AP Gov Unit 1 Vocab

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

American Political Culture

Shared values, beliefs, and norms about how government should operate, emphasizing liberty, democracy, equality, and rule of law.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Articles of Confederation

The United States’ first constitution, creating a weak central government and giving most power to the states.

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers, like the U.S. Congress (House of Representatives and Senate).

Bills of Attainder

Laws that declare a person guilty of a crime without a trial; prohibited by the Constitution.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states for broad purposes, allowing more flexibility in how money is spent.

Brutus No. 1

An Antifederalist essay arguing that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government, threatening liberty.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for specific, narrowly defined purposes with conditions attached.

Civil Society Groups

Independent organizations outside of government (like interest groups or nonprofits) that work to influence policy and serve the public.

Commerce Clause

Part of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) that gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

Compromise of Importation

The agreement that Congress would not ban the slave trade until 1808.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the national and state governments, such as the power to tax and make laws.

Confederal System

A loose union of independent states with a weak central government (e.g., under the Articles of Confederation).

Constitution

A written plan that outlines the structure, powers, and limits of a government.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates created the current U.S. Constitution.

Constitutional Republic

A form of government where officials are elected to represent the people and operate within a constitution that limits power.

Cooperative Federalism

A system where national and state governments share responsibilities and work together (“marble cake federalism”).

Devolution

The process of transferring power from the federal government back to the states.

Democracy

A government system where political power rests with the people, either directly or through representatives.

Dual Federalism

A system in which state and national governments operate independently in their own spheres (“layer cake federalism”).

Elitist Theory

The belief that a small group of powerful elites controls government and policy.

Enumerated or Expressed Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that punish actions retroactively; prohibited by the Constitution.

Exclusive Powers

Powers that only the national government may exercise.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that enforces laws; headed by the President.

Extradition

The process by which a state returns a criminal suspect to the state where the crime was committed.

Faction

A group of individuals with a common political purpose or interest, which may conflict with the public good.

Federal System

A form of government in which power is shared between national and state governments.

Federalism

The constitutional division of power between national and state governments.

Federalist No. 10

Essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can control factions and protect minority rights better than small ones.

Federalist No. 51

Essay by Madison explaining how separation of powers and checks and balances prevent tyranny.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting the ratification of the Constitution.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal funds (grants) to influence state policies.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial decisions of other states.

Grand Committee

The group at the Constitutional Convention that helped craft the Great Compromise.

Government

The institutions and processes through which public policies are made and enforced.

Grants

in

Great Compromise

The agreement to create a bicameral legislature with one house based on population (House) and one with equal representation (Senate).

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away; also called “unalienable,” such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws and resolves disputes; includes the Supreme Court.

Liberty

Freedom from government control in both personal and economic affairs.

Natural Rights

Basic rights that all humans are born with, such as life, liberty, and property.

Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause

Grants Congress the power to pass all laws needed to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes direct participation by many people in politics and civil life.

Pluralist Theory

The belief that multiple competing groups influence policy through negotiation and compromise.

Political Institutions

Structures of government that include the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Politics

The process of influencing decisions made by government.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the power of government comes from the people.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

States must treat citizens of other states the same as their own.

Republic

A form of government where people elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf.

Republicanism

A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives serving at the will of the people.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the national government are reserved for the states (10th Amendment).

Revenue Sharing

A policy where federal money is distributed to state and local governments with few or no conditions (largely ended in the 1980s).

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Selective Incorporation

The process of applying the Bill of Rights to state governments using the 14th Amendment.

Shays’ Rebellion

A 1786 uprising by Massachusetts farmers protesting taxes and foreclosures; exposed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Social Contract

The theory that people give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection of natural rights.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the highest laws of the land.

Tenth Amendment

Declares that powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

Three

Fifths Compromise

Fourteenth Amendment

Guarantees equal protection and due process to all citizens; basis for incorporation.

Fifteenth Amendment

Gave African American men the right to vote.

Unfunded Mandate

A federal requirement that states must follow without being given money to do so.

Unicameral

A legislature with one chamber (as under the Articles of Confederation).

Unitary System

A government system where all power is held by the central/national government.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A legal order requiring that a prisoner be brought before a court to determine if they are being lawfully held.