AP Government & Politics Unit 1

Amendments

Formal changes or additions made to a constitution or a law.

Anti-Federalists

Individuals who opposed the ratification of the 1787 Constitution, fearing a strong central government and demanding a Bill of Rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the U.S., which created a weak central government and left most power to the states.

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts or houses, such as the U.S. Congress (House and Senate).

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which protect individual liberties from government overreach.

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power.

Commerce clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution, giving Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as taxing and building roads.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document stating the colonies' grievances against the British monarch and declaring them free and independent states.

Electoral College

The body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president

Elite democracy

A model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well

Enumerated or Expressed powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as the power to coin money.

Factions

Groups of people, as described by James Madison in Federalist No. 10, who gather together to promote their special interests at the expense of the public good.

Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay to convince New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central national government and various regional state governments.

Federalists

Supporters of the 1787 Constitution who favored a strong national government and a diverse economy.

Fiscal Federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; involves Block grants (flexible) and Categorical grants (specific purpose).

Full faith and credit clause

A clause in Article IV requiring each state to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of all other states.

Great Compromise

The agreement to create a two

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress where representation is based on the population of each state.

Impeachment

The formal process by which a legislative body levels charges against a high official of government, such as the President.

James Madison

The "Father of the Constitution," a key Federalist, and the primary author of the Bill of Rights and Federalist No. 10 and 51.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to determine whether acts of Congress and the Executive are in accord with the U.S. Constitution.

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments, often without providing the necessary funding.

National supremacy

The doctrine that the federal government has the final word in disputes with the states, as established by the Supremacy Clause.

Natural law/Locke

The philosophy that all people are born with inherent rights to life, liberty, and property that cannot be taken away by government.

Necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18, which allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for a central government with a single

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to make policy decisions directly rather than through elected representatives.

Pluralist democracy

A model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Preamble

The opening statement of the Constitution that sets forth the goals and purposes of the government.

Ratification

The formal approval process of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty.

Representative republic

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf.

Republicanism

A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives serving at the will of the people.

Reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states, which belong to the states under the 10th Amendment.

Senate

The upper house of Congress where each state is represented by two members regardless of population.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Shay’s Rebellion

An uprising of debt

Social contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their rights.

Supremacy clause

Article VI, Clause 2, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws.

Three

Fifths Compromise

Veto

The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature where representation was based on state population.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 statement explaining why the colonies were breaking away from Britain, emphasizing natural rights and popular sovereignty.

U.S. Constitution (Articles I, II, III)

The supreme law of the land; Article I establishes the Legislature, Article II the Executive, and Article III the Judiciary.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by Madison arguing that a large republic is the best way to control the negative effects of factions.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing that a large central government would be too powerful and would step on the rights of states and individuals.

Articles of Confederation

The original U.S. framework that failed because it lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or raise a national army.

Federalist No. 51

An essay by Madison explaining how the structure of the new government (checks and balances/separation of powers) would protect liberty.

Amendment 10 (X)

The amendment stating that any power not specifically given to the federal government belongs to the states or the people.

Marbury v. Madison (1801)

The Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to strike down unconstitutional laws.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A landmark case that confirmed the supremacy of federal law over state law and established the "implied powers" of Congress.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

A case that limited the power of Congress by ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause.