AP Gov Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy

Declaration of Independence

the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain

Articles of Confederation

the first constitution of the United States which proved weak

Constitution of the United States

established the structure and principles of the government of the United States

Federalist No. 10

an essay in which Madison argues that the dangers of faction can be mitigated by a large republic

Brutus No. 1

an essay which argued against a strong central government based on the belief that it would not be able to meet the needs of the People and that it would reduce state powers

Federalist No. 51

an essay in which Madison argues that checks and balances, and federalism will prevent tyranny

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher who argued that people have natural rights, must give consent to their govt., and may alter or change their govt. if it becomes oppressive

Baron de Montesquieu

Enlightenment philosopher who advocated for separation of powers

Politics

the process of determining who gets what, when, and how

Stamp Act

law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc.

Sons of Liberty

A group of colonists who formed a secret society to oppose British policies at the time of the American Revolution

Boston Massacre

The first bloodshed of the American Revolution (1770), as British guards at the Boston Customs House opened fire on a crowd killing five Americans

Boston Tea Party

protest against increased tea prices in which colonists dumped British tea into the Boston Harbor

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

very harsh laws that intended to make Massachusetts pay for its resistance to British policies

Olive Branch Petition

An offer of peace sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George lll

Natural Rights

Life, Liberty, and Property

consent of the governed

The idea that government derives its authority by sanction of the people.

Right of Revolution

the right of the people to overthrow/alter a government that acts against their rights

Limited Government

its powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Republicanism

A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives serving at the will of the people

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Separation of Powers

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

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Preamble

the introduction to the U.S. Constitution; sets forth the goals of the new government

Form a more perfect union

Create a nation in which states work together

establish justice

Set up courts that are fair and an executive to enforce laws

insure domestic tranquility

Keep peace within the country

Provide for the common defense

protect the country from other countries or people that might try to harm us (establish a national military)

Promote the general welfare

Contribute to the happiness and well-being of all the people

secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

Protect freedoms for all

bicameral legislature

Two house legislature

House of Representatives

the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population

Senate

the upper house of Congress, consisting of two senators from each state

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)

enumerated powers

powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution (mostly Art. I, Sect. 8)

implied powers

powers inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions. (Utilizes the Necessary and Proper Clause)

writ of habeas corpus

A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody

Commerce Clause

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries; its meaning has been expanded and challenged over the course of American history.

treaty

A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states (countries)

Pardon

legal forgiveness of a crime

reprieve

a respite; postponement of a sentence

State of the Union

An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and recommend policies

ambassador

an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country

executive order

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

original jurisdiction

the authority to hear cases for the first time

appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)

The highest court in the federal court system; established by Article III of the Constitution

petition for certiorari

A petition asking the Supreme Court to hear a case

writ of certiorari

Order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review

inferior courts

The lower federal courts, beneath the Supreme Court, created by Congress

treason

Betrayal of one's country

New Jersey Plan

proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress (favored small states)

Virginia Plan

Proposal for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. (Favored large states)

Great Compromise

states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

Legislative Branch

Makes laws

Executive Branch

Enforces laws

Judicial Branch

Interprets the laws

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

Extradition Clause

An accused person who flees to another state must be returned to the state in which he/she allegedly committed the crime.

Amendment Process

the way in which changes are added to the Constitution

Supremacy Clause

Constitution/national govt. is the supreme law of the land

Ratification

Formal approval

revenue

income

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake)

clear division of governing authority between national and state governments

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake)

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.

strings attached/conditions of aid

traditional control that tells the state government what it must do if it wants to receive federal grant money

Funded Mandates

those regulations passed by Congress or issued by regulatory agencies to the states with federal funds to support them

unfunded mandates

Programs that the Federal government requires States to implement without Federal funding.

block grants

Money from the national government that states can spend within broad guidelines determined by Congress (favored by strong state govt. supporters)

categorical grants

Money from the national government that states can spend within specific guidelines determined by Congress (favored by strong national govt. supporters)

Devolution (New Federalism)

the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

SCOTUS ruling based on Supremacy Clause; no state can tax institutions created by Congress.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

SCOTUS ruling that the Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce.