AP Government and Politics Unit 1 vocabulary

What are Anti-Federalists?

Opponents of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments.

What are Federalists?

Supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a strong national government.

What does bicameral mean?

Having two legislative chambers or houses.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights.

What is devolution?

The transfer of powers from the federal government to state or local governments.

What are factions?

Groups of individuals, such as political parties, that share a common interest.

What are block grants?

Federal funds given to states for broad purposes with few restrictions.

What are categorical grants?

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose with strict limitations.

What are checks and balances?

A system that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.

What is cooperative federalism?

A model of federalism where national and state governments work together.

What is dual federalism?

A model of federalism where national and state governments operate independently.

What was Shays' Rebellion?

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices.

What is judicial review?

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

What is the separation of powers?

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

What is the Supremacy Clause?

The constitutional provision that federal law takes precedence over state law.

What is federalism?

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.

What is the Necessary & Proper Clause?

A clause that grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

What was the Virginia Plan?

A proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

What is the Great Compromise?

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with both equal and proportional representation.

What is a mandate?

An official order or commission to do something.

What are enumerated powers?

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

What are reserved powers?

Powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, reserved for the states.

What are concurrent powers?

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

What is Article 1 about?

It establishes the legislative branch of the government.

What is Article 2 about?

It establishes the executive branch of the government.

What is Article 3 about?

It establishes the judicial branch of the government.

What is Article 4 about?

It addresses the relationships between states and the federal government.

What is Article 5 about?

It outlines the process for amending the Constitution.

What is Article 6 about?

It establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

What is Article 7 about?

It outlines the procedure for ratification of the Constitution.

What was McCulloch v. Maryland?

A Supreme Court case that established the principle of national supremacy and implied powers.

What was Gibbons v. Ogden?

A Supreme Court case that affirmed federal control over interstate commerce.

What was Marbury v. Madison?

A Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

What was US v. Lopez?

A Supreme Court case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

What was the Constitutional Convention?

The meeting in 1787 where the Constitution was created.

What is popular sovereignty?

The principle that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.

What is plurality?

The condition of having more votes than any other candidate but not a majority.

What are implied powers?

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred from its language.

What is Brutus I?

Argues that the national government would be too powerful under the constitution, and would inevitably lead to the end of state sovereignty and personal freedoms

What is the Declaration of Independence?

The document declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain. Out lines the peoples greivances with the king

What is Federalist Paper No. 10?

discusses the dangers of factions, notes that a large republic is the only way to control them

What is Federalist Paper No. 51?

explains the need for checks and balances in government.

What is participatory democracy?

A model of democracy emphasizing broad participation in political decision-making.

What is pluralist democracy?

A model of democracy where multiple groups compete for power and influence.

What is elite democracy?

A model of democracy where a small number of elites hold power and make decisions.