AP GoPo Vocab Quiz 1.1-1.2

Alexander Hamilton

A prominent Founding Father and leading Federalist who advocated for a strong federal government and authored key parts of The Federalist Papers.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing against the U.S. Constitution, warning that a powerful, centralized federal government would threaten individual liberties and states' rights.

Elite Democracy

A model where political power is concentrated among a small, privileged group, giving them disproportionate influence over policy decisions.

Faction

Defined by James Madison in Federalist No. 10, is a group of citizens united by a common interest adverse to the rights of others or the community's permanent interests, whose negative effects can be managed in a large republic.

Federalist No. 10

An essay by James Madison, argues that a large republic controls factions by ensuring a greater diversity of interests and making it less likely for any single faction to dominate.

John Locke

An Enlightenment philosopher who proposed inherent natural rights—life, liberty, and property where government protects these rights with the consent of the governed.

James Madison

The 'Father of the Constitution,' was a leading Federalist and co-author of The Federalist Papers who detailed the principles of limited government and mechanisms to control factions.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

An Enlightenment philosopher whose concept of the 'social contract' emphasized that legitimate governmental authority should derive from the general will of the people.

Anti-Federalists

A political movement who opposed the U.S. Constitution's ratification, fearing a tyrannical central government that would erode states' rights and individual liberties, thus advocating for a Bill of Rights.

Republicanism

A political ideology asserting that government's proper role is to protect individual liberty, deriving its authority from the consent of the governed through elected representatives.

Referendum

A direct democracy mechanism where citizens vote to directly approve or reject proposed legislation or constitutional amendments passed by the legislature.

Federalists

Proponents of the U.S. Constitution's ratification and a strong central government, believing it essential for national stability, defense, and economic prosperity.

Initiative

A direct democracy process allowing citizens to propose new laws or constitutional amendments by petition, which are then placed on the ballot for a popular vote.

Baron de Montesquieu

An Enlightenment philosopher whose theories on the separation of governmental powers and checks and balances profoundly shaped the U.S. Constitution's design.

Declaration of Independence

Formally declared the thirteen American colonies independent from Great Britain, asserting natural rights, popular sovereignty, and grievances against King George III.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that a government's authority is created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the ultimate source of all political power.

Pluralist Democracy

A model where political power is distributed among multiple diverse and competing interest groups, with public policy often resulting from their bargaining and compromise.

Participatory Democracy

A model promoting broad direct citizen involvement in public policy formation and implementation through mechanisms like initiatives and referendums, aiming for a more engaged government.

Limited Government

A fundamental principle asserting that governmental powers are restricted and enumerated by a constitution, safeguarding individual liberties and preventing tyranny.

U.S. Constitution

Adopted in 1788, is the supreme law that establishes the federal government's framework, replacing the Articles of Confederation with separated powers, checks and balances, and enumerated powers.

Grand Committee

Formed during the Constitutional Convention to resolve disputes over legislative representation, leading to the Great Compromise.

George Washington

The commander of the Continental Army, the first U.S. President, and his leadership was crucial during the Constitutional Convention and in establishing the new federal government.