Unit 1

The Enlightenment

A European intellectual movement of the 18th century, significantly shaped the farmers’ understanding of government.

Natural Rights

People possess inherent rights bestowed by their creator

State of Nature

A pre-governmental state where humans are inherently free.

Popular Sovereignty

Power that resides in the people

Social contract

Willingly give some power to government to protect their rights

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to create laws in the public interest, with power divided among three branches to prevent tyranny.

Participatory Democracy

Broad citizen involvement in politics

Limited government

Government restrained by checks and balances and power distribution.

Pluralist Democracy

Interest groups compete to influence policy.

Elite Democracy

Limited participation, with the educated elite governing

Includes town halls, initiatives, referenda, and protected by freedoms of speech and press.

Participatory Democracy

Includes groups like the NAACP and the NRA

Pluralist Democracy

An example being the Electoral College

Elite Democracy

Shows elite and pluralist democracy

Constitution

Shows pluralist democracy

Federalist 10

Shows participatory democracy

Brutus 1

Federalist 10

Argued a large republic with competing factions would protect liberty. Diversity would prevent any single faction from dominating.

Brutus 1

Warned against a strong central government, fearing it would become distant from the people and infringe on liberties. They were concerned about the Necessary and Proper and Supremacy Clauses.

Articles of Confederation

The first US constitution, created a weak federal government with limited powers.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• Only one branch (Congress)

• No power to tax or raise an army

Shays’ Rebellion

Exposing of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral Congress with representation by population in the House and equal representation for states in the Senate

Electoral College Compromise

Established a system where electors chosen by state legislatures elect the president

Virginia plan

Congressional representation should be represented by population

New Jersey plan

Each state should be represented by one vote

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation in Congress

Slave Trade Compromise

Delayed the abolition of the slave trade for 20 years

Legislative Branch

Proposes and makes laws

Checks and Balances of Congress

Checks other branches through powers like advice and consent on presidential appointments.

Executive Branch

Enforces laws

Checks and Balances of the President

Checks other branches through the veto power

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws and determines constitutionality

Checks and Balances for the Supreme Court

Checks other branches through judicial review

Executive Powers

Powers delegated solely to the federal government

Example of Exclusive Powers

Treaties

Reserved Powers

Powers retained by the states

Examples of Reserved Powers

Police powers and education

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments

Example of Concurrent Powers

Taxation

Fiscal federalism

A key aspect of modern federalism, where the federal government influences states through funding

Categorical Grants

Funds with specific federal requirements

Block Grants

Funds for broad purposes with fewer restrictions

Mandates

Federal directives , often funded, requiring state compliance

Unfunded mandates

Requiring state compliance without giving the money to do so; once common, now are largely prohibited

Environmental Regulations

States like California maintaining stricter emissions standards than the federal government

Marijuana Legalization

States legalizing marijuana despite federal prohibition

10th Amendment

Reserves powers to the states

14th Amendment

Applies the Bill of Rights to the states

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress power to regulate interstate commerce

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws necessary for executing its powers

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Upheld federal power based on the Necessary and Proper and Supremacy Clauses

US v. Lopez (1995)

Limited federal power under the Commerce Clause, favoring state authority