LAP 1 Test Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational political concepts, early American constitutional development, governmental plans, and historical compromises.

Natural rights

Individual rights such as life, liberty, and estate, where the government gets its authority from the people.

Classical republicanism

A philosophy emphasizing the common good and placing the needs of the people above individual rights, highlighting the importance of citizenship and civic virtue.

Social contract

An agreement where people give power to the government in exchange for protection of rights, and if the government abuses power, the people can overthrow it.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that government is created and gets its authority from the agreement of the people.

Judeo-Christian ideas

Ideas that emphasized the dignity and worth of human beings.

Articles of Confederation

The initial weak framework of national government where Congress lacked the power to tax, trade was unregulated, treaties were not respected, and states held too much power.

Virginia Plan

A proposal favored by big states featuring a bicameral legislature (2 houses of Congress), proportional representation based on population, 3 branches of government, and congressional law-making power.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal featuring 1 house in Congress, 3 branches of government, and congressional power over trade and making laws.

Great Compromise

An agreement combining the Virginia Plan (bicameral legislature, House of Representatives representation based on population) and the New Jersey Plan (equal representation in the Senate with 2 per state).

Shays’ Rebellion

An attempt by Daniel Shays and unpaid Revolutionary War farmers/soldiers to take over an arsenal, which failed and highlighted that Congress lacked the power to tax under the Articles of Confederation.

Magna Carta

A historic document that established the constitutional principles of rule of law, basic rights, and government by agreement.

Rule of law

The principle that everyone must obey the law and no one is above the law, including kings, queens, or presidents.

Electoral College

A group of electors (equal to 2 senators plus the number of representatives in each state) who cast official votes for president and vice president to ensure a wise decision.

Supremacy clause

A clause establishing that the Constitution is the law of the land, meaning Constitutional law is superior to state law.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement where 3 out of 5 enslaved people were counted towards a state's population, inflating the political power of Southern states.

Declaration of Independence

The document created to declare independence from Britain.

Intolerable Acts

British policies, including the Stamp Act and Tea Act, that raised taxes on the colonies and led colonists to resist under the concept of no taxation without representation.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the ratification of the Constitution who cited the absence of a bill of rights, unlimited presidential pardon power, the necessary and proper clause, and potential misuse of checks and balances.