AP Government and Politics Unit One Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering core concepts, foundational documents, constitutional clauses, federalism, and Federalist/Anti-Federalist debates.

Social Contract Theory

Idea that people give up some freedoms to government in exchange for protection of rights.

Republic

A government where people elect representatives to make laws.

Direct Democracy

Citizens vote directly on laws/policies.

Liberalism (in this context)

Liberals favor more government in the economy, less in social issues.

Conservatism

Conservatives favor less government in the economy, more in social order.

Libertarianism

Belief in minimal government with strong personal and economic freedom.

Popular Sovereignty

Authority of the government comes from the people.

Confederacy

System where states hold most power, with a weak central government.

Federalism

Power divided between national and state governments.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government; weak central power.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document announcing separation from Britain, based on natural rights.

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others.

John Locke

Philosopher: natural rights (life, liberty, property); government protects rights.

Montesquieu

Philosopher: separation of powers.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher: people need a strong government to prevent chaos.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher: social contract and general will of the people.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper)

Congress can make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Judicial Review

Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws (Marbury v. Madison).

Commerce Clause

Congress can regulate trade between states.

Full Faith and Credit

States must respect each other’s laws, records, and court rulings.

Privileges and Immunities

Citizens treated equally when in other states.

Supremacy Clause

Constitution and federal law are the highest law.

Amendment Process

Article V: two-thirds of both houses must propose, three-fourths of states must ratify.

Interstate Compact

Agreements between states with Congress’s approval.

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved for states.

Denied Powers

Powers the Constitution forbids to government (e.g., no ex post facto laws).

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed for the federal government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments (e.g., taxation).

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Upheld national supremacy; allowed creation of a national bank.

Cooperative Federalism

Marble cake model; federal and state governments work together.

Dual Federalism

Layer cake model; state and federal governments operate separately.

Categorical Grant

Federal money for a specific purpose with strict rules.

Block Grant

Federal money with flexibility for states.

Unfunded Mandate

Federal requirements without money to pay for them.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Commerce Clause; struck down a federal gun-free school zones law.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who wanted a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who demanded a Bill of Rights.

Brutus 1

Anti-Federalist essay warning against a large republic and loss of liberty.

Federalist 10

Madison: A large republic helps prevent domination by factions.

Federalist 51

Madison: Checks and balances and separation of powers protect liberty.