AMSCO AP Government Unit 1

advice and consent

the power of the United States Senate to be consulted on and approve of treaties signed and appointments made by the President

Bill of Rights

the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution

checks and balances

a way in which the three parts of government can limit each other

commerce clause

the government's ability to initiate and regulate trade

Anti-Federalists

a person who opposed the ratification of the constitution

bicameral

two branches or chambers

Electoral College

the body of electors chosen from each state to elect the president and vice president of the U.S.

enumerated powers

specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution

Federalist Papers

a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution

federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and its subordinate parts

Articles of Confederation

the original constitution of the U.S.

Declaration of Independence

formal statement declaring the freedom of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain

extradition

to give someone up to another government or authority

Federalists

supporters of a federal government

Great Compromise

compromise between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan

House of Representatives

elected by the people and proportionate to the population of the state

impeachment

process by which elected officials are removed from office

James Madison

author of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and founder of the Federalist party

John Locke

said that humans have certain rights that are natural to them

judicial review

the ability to judge certain laws and rules unconstitutional

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

court case that established the power of judicial review

national supremacy

Constitutional doctrine teaching that the Constitution has the supreme power

natural law

philosophy that all humans have certain rights that cannot be taken away

necessary and proper clause

Congress has the right to express its powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

pocket veto

If a bill is proposed within 10 days of congress adjourning and the president does not sign it , it will die (un-overrideable veto).

popular sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution

representative republic

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions based on the law and/or constitution.

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the national government or denied to the states

Senate

The upper house of Congress. It has 100 members, 2 members for each state. Members are elected every 6 years. The Vice President is the head of this body.

separation of powers

division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches,

social contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

supremacy clause

makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

1989 case in which the Supreme Court struck down a law banning the burning of the American flag on the grounds that such action was a part of free speech and was protected by the first amendment

two-thirds override

To pass a bill over the President's objections requires a two-thirds vote in each Chamber

United States v. Eichman (1990)

Supreme Court case that invalidated a federal law against flag desecration as violating free speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution.

veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Virginia Plan

called for proportional representation to population, thus favoring larger states

unitary governments

those with a single governing authority in a central capital with uniform law throughout the land

full faith and credit

states must regard and honor one another's governments and laws

priveleges and immunities clause

citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states

extradition

obligates states to deliver captured fugitive criminals back to the state where they committed the original crime

police powers

powers to create and force laws on health, safety, and morals

Tenth Amendment

States rights and reserved powers

delegated powers

powers the states have delegated to the federal government

concurrent powers

powers held by both authorities

strict constructionist

one who believes in following the Constitution to the letter (Jefferson)

Whiskey Rebellion

controversy after a federal tax offended whiskey makers

compact theory

by creating a federal government, the 13 states entered a contract about its jurisdiction

nullification

states can declare a law void if they feel it violates the Constitution (Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions)

McCulloch v. Maryland

ruled that states cannot tax the federal government

implied powers

powers not specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government (derived from elastic clause)

Gibbons v. Ogden

clarified commerce clause and put Congress in charge of interstate commerce

dual federalism

federal and state government have clearly defined powers

selective exclusiveness

a doctrine asserting that when a commodity requires national rule, Congress is the only one who can regulate

revenue sharing

the distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments

cooperative federalism

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly

fiscal federalism

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments

grants-in-aid

money given to the national government by the states

categorical grants

federal grants that can only be used for specific things and often come with strings attached (drinking age)

strings

specific requirements

block grants

federal grants that can be used for pretty much anything

marble cake federalism

a form of federalism in which there is mixing of powers, resources, and programs between the state and federal governments

New Federalism

political philosophy of a return of powers to state and local government

South Dakota v. Dole

Supreme Court rules that Congress can set restrictions on drinking age to relieve grants

mandates

an official order to do something

Clean Air Act

U.S. federal law to control air pollution on a national level (1970)

Americans with Disabilities Act

made public sector buildings and transportation systems accessable for the disabled

Devolution

surrender of powers from federal to state and local governments

United States v. Lopez

Supreme Court rules that Congress cannot control where guns are allowed

No Child Left Behind

U.S. act of congress which reauthorized the Elementary & Secondary Education Act

Race to the Top

Obama's initiative that requires students to be college or career ready upon graduation

valence issues

political issue where voters share a preference

wedge issues

divisive political issue

saliency

importance

liberal

left, more government

conservative

right, less government

moderate

middle, some government

libertarian

maximize freedom of choice

populist

represent interests of the common people

progressive

social reformists

Montesquieu

came up with the concept of separation of powers