Unit 1 Vocabulary - AP Gov

Flashcards based on the Unit 1 Vocabulary lecture transcript focusing on foundational US government concepts, amendments, and Federalist papers.

10th Amendment

Federalism-Division of Powers between states and Federal government

14th Amendment

(1868) - Citizenship

3/5ths Compromise

Three out of every five enslaved People would be counted when Figuring a state's Population

Articles of Confederation

The First constitution of the united states; established a "league of Friendship" between the original 13 States

Balance of Power

Nations act to prevent any single Country From gaining enough military or Political dominance to control others

Block grants

Block grant is a fixed sum of money awareded by a higher level government (like the federal government) to a state or local government for broad Social Welfare or community Purposes, Featuring fewer restrictions and less Federal oversight than Categorical grants

Brutus 1

1787 Anti-Federalist essay that believed the Proposed US constitution gave too much power to the federal government and threatened State Sovereignty and individual liberties.

Categorical grants

Federal Funds given to State and local governments for narrowly defined Purposes, Featuring Strict spending rules and detailed matching or reporting requirements

Checks and balances

A System that lets each Part Of a government limit the Power of the other Parts

Compromise on Slave importation

An agreement reached at the 1787 Constitutional Convention Protecting the international slave trade from a congressional ban for 20 years

Concurrent Powers

Powers held by both the Federal government and the States (like taxation and courts).

Constitution

Plan of government; in the United States the constitution is the supreme law of the land constituency

Electoral College

The Official System used in the United States to indirectly elect the President and vice President. It is not a Physical Place, but a group of People called electors Chosen by each state to Cast votes For these offices

Elite democracy

A model of representative government where a small, Wealthy, and educated group holds the Primary Political Power. In this system, general Public Participation is limited, and decision-making is left to a specialized class of leaders Who Supposedly make informed choices For Safety

Enumerated Powers

Powers of the Federal government

Exclusive Powers

Authority rights granted Soley to one Specific level of government or branch

Federalism

Division of governmental Powers between the states and Federal government

Federalist 10

Written by James Madison in 1787, argues that a large, representative republic is the best way to control the dangers of Political factions

Federalist 51

Written by James Madison in 1788 ,explains how the structure of the US constitution Prevents tyranny through Separation Of Powers, checks and balances, and Federalism

Federalist 39

Examines whether the proposed constitution establishes a republican form of government and Whether it is a national or Federal system

Federalist 70

Written by Alexander Hamilton in 1788, argues that a single, energetic and unitary President is vital for the United States

Federalist 78

Written by Alexander Hamilton in May 1788, explains and defends the structure and Powers of the Judical branch under the proposed US Constitution

Great Compromise (aka Connecticut compromise)

Also Called the Connecticut compromise - Was an agreement From 1787. It solved a big fight over how states would get seats in the new US government. It Created a two-Part Congress: the house of representatives based on population, and the Senate With two members For every state

Impeachment

The Formal Process Where a legislative body brings Offical Charges of misconduct against a Public Offical

Implied Powers

Government rules and actions that are not directly written in a constitution, but are assumed to be needed to carry out the written Powers

Mandates

An offical order, a clear command, or the Power to act given to a leader, government, or group by law or an election

McCullah VS Maryland

Established implied Powers For congress and the Supremacy of Federal law over State law

Participatory Democracy

A governance model that emphasizes broad, direct engagement of individual citizens in Political and Policy decisions, rather than relying Soley on elected representatives

Pluralist Democracy

Pluralist democracy is a Political model where Power is spread across many diverse groups rather than controlled by a single elite or the general public as one mass. Organized groups compete, negotiate and compromise to Shape Public Policy, while the government acts as a mediator

Revenue Sharing

An agreement Where Participants Split a Percentage of the total gross income generated From a Product, service, or business operation

Separation of Powers

The division of the government into three independent branches- legislative, executive, and judical

Shay's rebellion

An armed uprising in Western Massachusetts From 1786 to 1787 led by revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays that involved Poor Farmers Facing high taxes, debt, and Property Foreclosures Who Shut down county courts and attacked the Springfield armory

Stakeholders

Any individual, group, or organization that has a vested interest in or is affected by government Policy, decisions and the Policymaking process.

State Sovereignty

The core Political and legal Power of a Government to rule its load and people. It means the State make its own laws, runs its own Public Services and manages its borders without outside interference From Other Countries

Supremacy clause

Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, Federal laws made under it, and US treaties are the "Supreme law of the land"

Three branches of government

Legislative, Executive, Judical

United States vs Lopez

(1995)- Ruled that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority, authority under the Commerce clause by passing the gun-free school Zones act of 1990; the Supreme Court limited federal Power, reinforcing Federalism by ruling that gun Possession in a local school zone is a non-economic activity reserved For State regulation