ap gov unit 1

limted government

government power is restricted by laws or a constitution

natural rights

rights people are born with (life, liberty, and property)

social contract

agreement where people give up some freedom to a government in exchange for protection of rights

popular sovereignty

power comes from the people

declaration of independence

document declaring american indepenednce from britain in 1776

articles of confederation

first US government plan; created a weak national government

constitutional preamble

introduction to the constitution stating its goals (we the people)

US constitution

the supreme law outlining the structure of the US government

federalist no. 10

essay arguing that a large republic prevents factions from gaining too much power

brutus no. 1

essay arguing against a strong central government (anti-federalist)

federalists

supported a strong central government and ratification of the constitution

anti-federalists

opposed a strong central government; wanted states to have more power

central government

national (federal) government with authority over states

republic

government where people elect representatives to make decisions

shay’s rebellion

1786 uprising showing weakness of the articles of confederation

the federalist papers

essays promoting ratification of the constitution

virginia plan

proposal for representation based on state population

new jersey plan

proposal for equal representation for each state

great (connecticut) compromise

combined both plans; house based on population; senate equal

three-fifths compromise

counted each enslaved person as 3/5 of a person for representation

slave trade compromise

allowed slave trade until 1808

ex post facto law

law that punishes actions retroactively; forbidden by constitution

bill of attainder

law declarting someone guilty without trial; forbidden

electoral college

system for electing the president using state-selected electors

full faith and credit clause

states must represent each other’s laws and court decisions

amendment process

how the constitution can be changed

supremacy clause

federal law is above state law

ratification

approval process for the constitution or amendments

checks and balances

each branch can limit the power of the others

separation of powers

division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches

federalist no. 51

essay explaining checks and balances and separation of powers

impeachment

process to remove officials for misconduct

commerce clause

congress can regulate trade between states and with other countries

enumerated/delegated/expressed/formal powers

powers specifically listed in the constitution

implied powers

powers not listed but needed to carry out enumerated powers

concurrent (shared) powers

powers shared by federal and state governments (e.g., taxing)

reserved powers

powers kept by the states (10th amendment)

necessary and proper clause

allows congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers (elastic clause)

devolution

returning power from federal to state governments

dual (“layer cake”) federalism

clear separation between federal and state powers

cooperative (“marble cake”) federalism

federal and state governments work together

fiscal federalism

federal use of money (grants) to influence states

grants

money given by the federal government to states or localities

categorical grants

grants for specific purposes with strict rules

block grants

broad grants with fewer restrictions

revenue-sharing

federal sharing of tax money with states with few strings attached

mandates

requirements the federal government places on states

americans with disabilities act

law requireing accessibility for people with disabilities (example of a mandate)

10th amendment

says powers not given to the federal government are reserved to states or the people

participatory democracy

emphasizes broad citizen participation

pluralist democracy

emphasizes group-based activism by different interests

elite democracy

emphasizes limited, elite groups influencing government

hyperpluralism theory

idea that too many competing groups weaken government

advantages of federalism

flexibility for states, more local representation, innovation

disadvantages of federalism

inequality between states, confusion, conflict

unitary system

central government has all the power

confederate system

states hold most power; weak central government

federal system

power shared between national and state governments