Ap Gov Unit 1

Limited Government

National government is limited so it doesn’t become corrupt and tyrannical but still needs to protect our rights

Due process

Allowing people to get a second chance through court rather than directly putting them into jail because of strong evidence (also it means to treat people fairly before putting them to jail or removing their rights)

Rule of Law

Everyone is to follow the law, no one is above it.

Republicanism

Electing someone to be your representative

Separation of powers

Separating powers in the government into 3 separate branches so that power doesn’t become centralized

Checks and Balances

The right for certain parts of government to check other parts so that they don’t become too powerful

Federalism

Sharing of power between state and national government

Popular sovereignty

Power comes from the people

Judicial review

Supreme Court can consider a law unconstitutional if absurd

Individual rights

Fundamental freedoms and moral claims for everyone

Judicial branch

Power to interpret laws

Executive branch

Power to enforce laws

Legislative branch

Power to make laws

John Lockes Natural rights of man

Inherent, universal, and inalienable rights that belong to every human (liberty, life, right to property)

Jeffersons Natural rights of man

Inherent, universal, and inalienable rights that belong to every human (liberty, life, and pursuit of happiness)

Natural state of man

Pre-Government, no one rules over each other

Dahls requirements for democracy

Effective participation, equality in voting, gaining enlightened understanding, exercising final control of the agenda, and inclusion of adults.

Shay’s Rebellion

Armed uprising of indebted farmers in Massachusetts because of heavily imposed taxes and loss of property - led by Daniel Shay

Participatory Democracy

You participate by voting or general elections

Pluralist Theory

You join a single issue or interest group that pay lobbyists money to spread their ideals in the policy making process

Elite Democracy

Elites have disproportionate amount of influence in policy making (wealthier people)

Magna Carta

Goal was to achieve peace between rival barons promising political liberty and limited government

English bill of rights

Defined the rights of Englishmen and limited the kings which allowed petition and free speech in parliament

Constitutional convention

1787—to revise the articles of confederation

Articles of convention

Wasn’t ratified until 1787 —first constitution of the USA, made a league of friends for the 13 colonies and prioritized state independence over federal power

Annapolis Convention

1786—to address problems in trade and navigation and caused constitutional conventions to be called by congress

New Jersey Plan

Unicameral, one vote per state, equality l, strengthen congress, regulate trade, give it power to impose taxes, keep most of the key details of the AOC.

Virginia Plan

Strong national executive, national judiciary, larger states have control, bicameral.

Bicameral

2 state legislatures (house of representatives and senate)

Unicameral

Only one unified state legislature

Three Fifths Compromise

Southern states wanted slaves to be counted for representation, did not want them for taxation, compromise said that 3/5ths of slaves would he counted for representation and taxes

Slave Compromise and Commerce

Northern states wanted government to have control over foreign trade, southern states feared agricultural interests would be harmed by the industrial north, congress could not ban the slave trade until 1808, congress would be given power to regulate interstate trade and foreign commerce.

Federalists

Weaker state government, stronger national gov, indirect election of officials, wealthy merchants, and longer terms

Anti-Federalists

Farmers, stronger state Gov, weaker national Gov, direct election of officials, short terms of office, strengthen protection for liberties, and bill of rights.

Federalist 51

Madison argued that ambition should counteract ambition to keep any single branch of government too powerful (seperation of powers and checks and balances)

Federalist 10

Madison warned the public about pure governments and how factions can override the rights of others so he proposes a republic that can weaken their strength through mass representation. Wanted to advocate for constitutions ratification in New York.

Social contracts

Giving up absolute freedom for security and protection

Connecticut Compromise

A mix of both Virginia and New Jersey plans to create equal representation and election based on population, combined both key elements from both plans.

Electoral college

A system to elect the president and vice president, citizens vote indirectly

10th Amendment

any power not delegated to the federal government—nor prohibited to the states—is reserved to the states or to the people

14th amendment

fundamentally expanding civil rights and legal protections by placing major constitutional limits on state governments.

17th amendment

direct popular election of U.S. Senatorsby the voters of each state. Prior to its ratification, senators were chosen by state legislatures rather than by the general public.