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Politics
The activities, actions, and policies used to gain and hold power in a government or to influence the government.
Democracy
A system of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislation.
Representative Democracy
A form of democracy in which people vote for representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Magna Carta
A historical document that limited the power of the English monarchy in 1215.
Capitalism
An economic system in which private individuals or businesses own and control the means of production and distribution of goods and services.
Common Sense
Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense,' a 1776 pamphlet, was a powerful argument for American independence from Great Britain and advocated for a republican form of government.
Shays Rebellion
An armed uprising in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays in 1786-1787.
Social Contract Theory
A theory that individuals form societies by mutual consent, agreeing to abide by certain rules and accept the authority of the government in exchange for protection of their rights.
Mayflower Compact
The document signed by the Pilgrims in 1620 that established self-government.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States adopted in 1781.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that protect individual rights and freedoms.
New Jersey Plan
A plan advocating for equal representation of states in Congress at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Virginia Plan
A proposal at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 for representation in Congress based on population.
Great Compromise
The agreement at the Constitutional Convention that resulted in the creation of the U.S. Congress.
Fundamental Law
What the Constitution establishes for a nation.
Ratification
The formal approval of a document or agreement by a legislative body.
Federalists
The political faction that supported a strong central government in the early United States.
Anti-Federalists
The political faction that advocated for states' rights and a weaker central government.
Checks and Balances
The system that ensures that each branch of government has some measure of influence over the other branches.
Federalism
The division of power between a central government and regional governments.
Civil Liberties
Personal freedoms and protections guaranteed by law to all citizens.
Impeachment
The process by which charges are leveled against a government official for misconduct.
Amendments
Changes or additions to the Constitution.
Reserved Powers
Powers that are reserved for the states according to the Constitution.
Elastic Clause
The part of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to pass laws necessary and proper for its enumerated powers.
Public Acts
The provision in the Constitution that requires states to honor public acts, records, and judgments.
Full faith and credit clause
A clause in the Constitution requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
Federalism
The sharing of authority and responsibilities between the central government and regional governments.
Civil liberties
Freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
Fundamental law
The structure and powers of government established by the Constitution guaranteeing certain rights to the people.
Strong central government
The type of government supported by the Federalists.
Block grants
Federal grants given to states or local governments for broadly defined purposes, allowing flexibility in how the funds are used.
Ex post facto law
A law that retroactively changes the legal consequences of actions that were committed before the enactment of the law.
Due Process Clause
A provision in the Constitution (Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments) ensuring that individuals are treated fairly by the government in legal proceedings.
Establishment clause
A provision in the First Amendment prohibiting the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over others.
Free exercise clause
A provision in the First Amendment guaranteeing individuals the right to practice their religion without government interference.
Right to privacy
The right to be free from government intrusion into personal matters and decisions.
Rights of the accused
Legal rights guaranteed to individuals accused of crimes, including the right to a fair trial and protection from self-incrimination.
Miranda Ruling
A Supreme Court decision (Miranda v. Arizona, 1966) requiring police to inform suspects of their rights before conducting a custodial interrogation.
Voting Rights Act
A landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.
Civil Rights Movement
A social movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s that aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and secure their civil rights.
Desegregation
The process of ending racial segregation, especially in schools, housing, and public facilities.
Native American Rights
The rights of Indigenous peoples in the United States, including sovereignty, self-governance, and the protection of their cultural heritage.
Negative advertisement
An advertisement that seeks to discredit an opponent or their policies rather than promote the advertiser's own.
Interest groups
Organizations that seek to influence government policies and decisions on behalf of specific interests or causes.
Revolving door
The movement of individuals between roles in government and roles in the private sector, often leading to conflicts of interest.
Pluralism and elitism
The theories that suggest either power is distributed among various groups in society (pluralism) or concentrated in the hands of a few elite individuals or groups (elitism).
Lobbying
The practice of seeking to influence government decisions by advocating for specific policies or interests.
Mischief of factions
The problems caused by factions, or groups of individuals with shared interests that may conflict with the rights of others or the interests of the community.
Negative effects of factions
The negative effects of factions or interest groups on government and society, as warned against by the Founding Fathers in the Federalist Papers.
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Organizations that raise and spend money to support or oppose political candidates, parties, or issues.
Voter registration
The process by which eligible voters formally enroll with the government to participate in elections.
Electoral College
A body of electors chosen by the voters in each state to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
Congressional district
An electoral constituency that elects a single member to a national legislature.
Civil Rights Movement
To end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and secure their civil rights.
Voting Rights Act
To prohibit racial discrimination in voting within the United States.
Lobbying
Lobbying is the practice of seeking to influence government decisions by advocating for specific policies or interests.
Purpose of the Electoral College
To elect the President and Vice President based on the votes of electors from each state.
Desegregation
Desegregation is the process of ending racial segregation, particularly in schools, housing, and public facilities.
Constitution
The foundational legal document of the U.S. government, outlining its structure, powers, and limits.
Ratification
The formal approval process of a constitution, amendment, or treaty.
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Federalists supported the Constitution; Anti-Federalists opposed it and wanted stronger state governments.
Checks and Balances
A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the others.
Federalism
A system of government where power is shared between a national government and state governments.
Civil Liberties
Basic freedoms protected from government interference, such as freedom of speech and religion.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments that protect individual freedoms like speech, religion, and due process.
Impeachment
The process of charging a public official with wrongdoing, possibly leading to removal from office.
Reserved Power
Powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states.
Elastic Clause
Part of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass laws necessary and proper to carry out its powers.
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.
Block Grants
Federal money given to states for broad purposes with fewer restrictions.
Ex Post Facto Law
A law that makes an action illegal after it was committed; prohibited by the Constitution.
Due Process Clause
Protects individuals from unfair treatment by the government, found in the 5th and 14th Amendments.
Establishment Clause
Part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing a national religion.
Free Exercise Clause
Protects individuals' rights to practice any religion or none at all.
Right to Privacy
The implied right to a private personal life free from government intrusion.
Rights of the Accused
Legal protections for those accused of crimes, including the right to a fair trial and legal counsel.
Miranda Ruling
A Supreme Court decision requiring police to inform suspects of their rights before questioning.
Voting Rights Act
A 1965 law that aimed to end racial discrimination in voting.
Civil Rights Movement
A 1950s-60s movement aiming to end racial segregation and secure equal rights for African Americans.
Desegregation
The process of ending the separation of races in public places.
Native American Rights
Legal and civil rights granted to Native American tribes, including land rights, sovereignty, and protections under federal law.
Negative Advertisement
Political ads that focus on criticizing an opponent rather than promoting the candidate themselves.
Interest Groups
Organizations that seek to influence public policy and decision-makers to benefit their members or causes.
Revolving Door
The movement of individuals between roles as legislators or regulators and jobs in industries affected by the legislation or regulation.
Pluralism
A theory that political power is distributed among many groups.
Elitism
The belief that a select group of people holds most political power.
Lobbying
The act of attempting to influence government decisions by individuals or groups.
Mischief of Factions
A term from Federalist No. 10 (James Madison) warning about the dangers of interest groups (factions) that work against the common good.
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Organizations that collect and distribute campaign funds to candidates and political parties.
Voter Registration
The process by which eligible citizens sign up to vote in elections.
Electoral College
The body of representatives from each state who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.
Congressional District
A geographic area represented by a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Senatorial Power
The authority held by U.S. senators, including confirming appointments and ratifying treaties.
Senatorial Courtesy
A tradition where the President consults a senator from the nominee's state before making judicial appointments, especially for federal district courts.
Supreme Court Judges (Justices)
Nine justices who serve on the highest court in the U.S., interpreting the Constitution and federal laws.
Policy Evaluation
The process of assessing the effectiveness and outcomes of government policies.
Public Option
A proposal for a government-run health insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
Cap and Trade
An environmental policy that sets a limit (cap) on emissions and allows companies to buy/sell allowances (trade) for emissions.