AP US GOV U3

Articles of Confederation

First constitution of the United States, replaced by the current Constitution due to weaknesses like lack of strong central government

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting in Philadelphia where the U.S. Constitution was written to replace the Articles of Confederation

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, favoring larger states

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favoring smaller states

Great Compromise

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, established a bicameral Congress with House representation based on population and Senate with equal representation

3/5 Compromise

Agreement counting three-fifths of enslaved persons for both representation and taxation purposes

U.S. Constitution

Supreme law of the United States, establishing the national government framework and fundamental rights

Anti-federalist

Opponents of Constitution ratification who feared strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights

Federalist

Supporters of Constitution ratification who advocated for strong national government

Brutus I

Anti-federalist paper arguing against Constitution, fearing centralized power and loss of state sovereignty

Federalist #51

Madison's essay explaining how separation of powers and checks and balances limit government power

Limited government

Principle that government power is restricted by law and constitution

Popular sovereignty

Principle that government authority comes from the consent of the governed

Republicanism

System where people elect representatives to make and enforce laws

Representative democracy

Form of government where citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions

Separation of powers

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent concentration of power

Checks and balances

System where each branch of government can limit the powers of other branches

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments

Judicial Review

Power of courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional

Impeachment

Process of charging government officials with wrongdoing, potentially leading to removal from office

Categorical grants

Federal funds to states for specific purposes with strict guidelines

Block grants

Federal funds to states for broad purposes with more state discretion

10th amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to national government to the states or the people

14th amendment

Guarantees equal protection and due process under the law, applies Bill of Rights to states

Dual Federalism

System where state and national governments have distinct, separate spheres of authority

Cooperative Federalism

System where state and national governments work together on policy

Commerce clause

Constitutional provision giving Congress power to regulate interstate commerce

Necessary and proper clause

Constitutional provision allowing Congress to make laws needed to execute its enumerated powers

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both state and national governments

McCulloch v Maryland

1819 Supreme Court case establishing national supremacy and implied powers

Gibbons v Ogden

1824 Supreme Court case broadly defining congressional power over interstate commerce

US v Lopez

1995 Supreme Court case limiting congressional power under commerce clause

Declaration of Independence

1776 document asserting American independence and natural rights philosophy

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

No executive or judicial branches, no power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws

Article I

Establishes the legislative branch (Congress) and its powers

Article II

Establishes the executive branch (President) and its powers

Article III

Establishes the judicial branch (Supreme Court) and its powers

Article IV

Addresses relations between states and federal government

Article V

Describes the process for amending the Constitution

Article VI

Contains the Supremacy Clause establishing federal law as supreme

Article VII

Describes the ratification process for the Constitution

Enumerated powers of Legislative

Power to tax, borrow money, regulate commerce, declare war, and other listed powers

Enumerated powers of Executive

Power to execute laws, veto legislation, command military, make treaties, appoint officials

Enumerated powers of Judicial

Power to interpret laws, hear cases arising under Constitution, and exercise judicial review

Purpose of Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws essential for executing its enumerated powers

Reserved powers

Powers not given to national government or prohibited to states, reserved for states or people

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional provision establishing federal law as supreme over state law

New Federalism

Political philosophy devolving power from national to state governments

Devolution

Transfer of power from national to state governments

Block vs Categorical Grants

Block grants are federal funds given to states for broad purposes with more state discretion, while categorical grants are federal funds to states for specific purposes with strict guidelines.