unit 1 terms

this unit is really boring apush 2.0 aah unit

social contract

some freedoms sacrificed in exchange for government protection

popular sovereignty

government power is from the consent of the governed

participatory democracy

broad participation in politics/society by people from various statuses

pluralist democracy

group-based activism by citizens with common interests who seek the same goals

elitist democracy

power to the educated/wealthy

strengths of the Articles of Confederation

created federalism, ended the Revolutionary War, established the Northwest Ordinance

weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

weak central government, could not enforce taxes, no standing military, no national currency, no Supreme Court, no executive branch, needed unanimous vote to amend the Articles (very hard)

Virginia Plan

by Madison, supported bicameral legislature based on population size (supported by larger states)

New Jersey Plan

unicameral legislature, one vote per state (supported by smaller states)

The Great Compromise

a bicameral legislature with House of Representatives (population) and Senate (equal representation)

delegated/enumerated powers

printing money, regulating interstate + international commerce, making treaties/foreign policy, declaring war, making post offices and lower courts, raising/supporting armed forces, “necessary and proper” actions

reserved powers

licenses, regulating interstate commerce, conducting elections, establishing local government, education, providing public health, safety, and welfare programs

concurrent powers

taxes, building roads, operating courts, establishing courts, eminent domain

categorical grant

provide money for specific reason/policy objective (may act as bribes to states to adopt a certain policy)

unfunded mandate

requieres states to pay for programs without providing funds

block grant

provides federal money for policy in a way that increases state authority

amendment process

1) proposed amendment must be approved by 2/3 of both houses and ¾ of state legislatures must ratify it

2) Congress can mandate each state hold a ratifying convention

3) 2/3 of states petition Congress to hold a constitutional convention