AP Gov Unit 1 Words

Politics

The process of making decisions for a group or society, often involving power, conflict, and compromise.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away or denied, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Role of Government

Formal institutions and processes through which decisions are made for a society.

Liberty

Freedom from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority; it encompasses the right to act, think, and speak freely.

Democracy

A system of government in which power comes from the people, either directly or through representatives.

Participatory Democracy

A form of democracy that emphasizes broad participation of citizens in politics and civil society.

Natural Rights

Rights that people are born with, such as life and liberty, described by philosophers like John Locke.

Civil Society Groups

Independent associations outside government that bring people together to advance shared interests, such as interest groups and nonprofits.

Social Contract

The idea that people give up some freedoms to the government in exchange for the protection of rights and order.

Pluralist Theory

Suggests that political power is distributed among many competing groups, preventing domination by one.

American Political Culture

The set of shared beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that shape the United States.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that political authority comes from the people.

Constitutional Republic

A government in which officials are elected by the people and must govern according to a constitution.

Republicanism

A political system in which citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.

Republic vs. Monarchy

A republic is rooted in the consent of the governed, led by elected representatives, whereas a monarchy is led by a king or queen.

Articles of Confederation

Served as the first U.S. government from 1781 to 1789, giving most power to the states and creating a weak national government.

Unicameral vs. Bicameral

Unicameral refers to having one legislative chamber, while bicameral refers to having two, such as the U.S. Congress.

Shays’s Rebellion

A 1786–87 uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting taxes and debt, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention of 1787

Resulted in delegates writing the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger national government.

Constitution

A written plan that outlines the structure, powers, and limits of government.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong central government with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for equal representation of each state in Congress, regardless of the state's size.

Grand Committee

Tasked with finding compromises between large and small states during the Constitutional Convention.

Great Compromise

An agreement to create a bicameral Congress consisting of the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Established that enslaved people would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Compromise on Importation

Allowed Congress to tax imports and prohibited it from banning the slave trade until 1808.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A legal order requiring authorities to explain why someone is being held in custody, protecting against unlawful imprisonment.

Bills of Attainder

Laws that punish individuals without a trial, forbidden by the Constitution.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that make an action illegal after it has been committed, also forbidden by the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

The division of government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny.