Gov Unit 1 Terms

Limited Government

The principle that government power is restricted by laws and constitutional rules. (Government officials cannot simply do whatever they want)

Article I of the Constitution

Article 1 establishes the legislative branch –Congress (consists of House of Representatives and Senate);

Article II of the Constitution

Article II establishes the executive branch, headed by the president. It describes presidential powers and responsibilities, including enforcing laws, serving as commander in chief, making treaties with Senate approval, and appointing certain government officials with Senate confirmation.

Article III of Constitution

Article III establishes the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court. It gives the federal judiciary judicial power and provides for federal judges

Article V of the Constitution

Article V establishes the process for amending the Constitution. It intentionally makes amendments difficult because changes require broad agreement

Natural Rights

Rights that people possess simply bc they are human

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, adopted in 1776, announced that the American colonies considered themselves independent from Great Britain. 

Federalist No. 51

Federalist No.51, associated with James Madison, explains why the Constitution divides government power among different branches and gives each branch ways to check others. Madison argued that because people and government officials are imperfect, government needs mechanisms to control itself

Participatory Democracy

Participatory democracy is a model of democracy emphasizing active and widespread participation by ordinary citizens in political decision-making

Judicial Review

Judicial review is the power of courts to determine whether laws or government actions are consistent with the Constitution. If a law violates the Constitution, a court can declare it unconstitutional.

Pluralist Democracy

Pluralist democracy is a model in which multiple groups compete for political influence. Instead of one group controlling government, different interest groups attempt influence policymakers.

Exclusive Power

An exclusive power is a power exercised by only one level of government rather than shared by both federal and state governments

Elite Democracy

Elite democracy is a model in which a relatively small group of politically powerful, wealthy, highly educated, or influential individuals has disproportionate influence over government decisions.

Concurrent Power

Concurrent powers are powers that are held by both the federal state governments

Federalist

Federalists were supporters of the Constitution during the ratification debate. They generally believed the Articles of Confederation had created a national government that was too weak and that the country needed a stronger federal government.

Reserved Power

Reserved powers are powers that belong to the states or the people rather than being given to the federal government.

Anti-Federalist

Anti-Federalists opposed or strongly criticized the Constitution during ratification because they feared that the proposed federal government would become too powerful

Categorical Grants

Categorical grants are federal funds given to state or local governments for a specific and narrowly defined purpose.

Centralized Government

A centralized government is one in which most governmental power is concentrated in the national/central government rather than being constitutionally divided among different levels

Block Grants

Block grants are federal funds provided to state or local governments for a broad policy area, giving the recipient government greater flexibility in deciding how to use the money.

Shay’s Rebellion

Shays' Rebellion was an uprising by Massachusetts farmers in 1786–1787 who were struggling with debts, taxes, and economic problems. The national government under the Articles of Confederation was unable to respond effectively because it lacked sufficient power and resources

10th Amendment

The 10th Amendment establishes that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, and not prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or the people.

14th Amendment

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, established several major constitutional protections, including:

1. Citizenship — establishes birthright citizenship.

2. Due process — states cannot deprive people of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

3. Equal protection — states must provide equal protection of the laws.

Great Compromise

The Great Compromise resolved the disagreement between large and small states over representation in Congress.

It created a bicameral legislature:

House of Representatives

Representation based on population

Senate

Every state gets 2 senators, regardless of population.

Electoral College

The Electoral College is the constitutional system used to elect the president. Each state receives electoral votes based on its total number of representatives in Congress — its House members plus its two senators.

There are 538 electoral votes, and 270 are needed to win a majority.

Commerce Clause

The Commerce Clause is found in Article I, Section 8. It gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native American tribes.

The clause has become an important source of federal power, especially regarding activities that substantially affect interstate commerce.

Three-Fifths Compromise

The Three-Fifths Compromise was a constitutional agreement concerning how enslaved people would be counted for purposes of representation and direct taxation.

The Constitution counted three-fifths of the enslaved population when determining representation

Supremacy Clause

The Supremacy Clause is found in Article VI. It establishes that the Constitution, valid federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

When valid federal law conflicts with state law, federal law generally takes precedence.

Implied Powers

Implied powers are powers that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are reasonably inferred from powers that are explicitly listed.

They are connected to the Necessary and Proper Clause in Article I, Section 8.

Separation of Powers

Separation of powers divides the federal government among three branches, each with different primary responsibilities.

Checks and Balances

Checks and balances is the system through which each branch has constitutional powers that can limit the other branches.

Congress checks president:

• Can override vetoes

• Controls funding

• Senate confirms many appointments

President checks Congress:

• Can veto legislation

Courts check Congress/president:

• Judicial review

Article VI - Supremacy Clause Connection

Your study guide lists the Supremacy Clause separately, but make sure you know where it comes from.

Article VI establishes that the Constitution, valid federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.