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Enlightenment
18th-century philosophical movement emphasizing reason over tradition.
Thomas Hobbes
Advocated absolute monarchy for societal protection.
Leviathan
Hobbes' work arguing for strong central authority.
John Locke
Philosopher advocating natural rights and government protection.
Natural Rights
Life, liberty, property granted by God.
Tabula Rasa
Locke's concept of a blank slate at birth.
Right to Revolution
Justification for overthrowing government violating rights.
Montesquieu
Proposed separation of powers in government.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Believed society corrupts innate goodness of people.
The Social Contract
Rousseau's work promoting collective good over self-interest.
Voltaire
Satirist advocating freedom of thought and speech.
Candide
Voltaire's novel criticizing Christian power and nobility.
Denis Diderot
Editor of the first encyclopedia promoting new ideas.
Freedom of Expression
Right to express ideas without censorship.
Participatory Democracy
Broad public involvement in political processes.
Republicanism
Supports individual rights and popular sovereignty.
Popular Sovereignty
Government power derives from the consent of the governed.
Declaration of Independence
Formal declaration of war against Great Britain.
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence.
Grievances
List of complaints against King George III.
Articles of Confederation
First governing document of the United States.
Treaty of Paris (1783)
Ended Revolutionary War favorably for the U.S.
Constitutional Convention
1787 meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Virginia Plan
Proposed bicameral legislature based on population.
New Jersey Plan
Proposed unicameral legislature with equal state votes.
Great Compromise
Established bicameral legislature with House and Senate.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Counted enslaved people as 3/5 for representation.
Chief Executive
Role of the president to enforce laws.
Presidential Veto
President's power to reject legislation.
Supreme Court
Judicial body mediating disputes between branches.
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution advocating strong central government.
Bill of Rights
First ten amendments protecting citizens' rights.
Electoral College
System for electing the president based on electors.
Federalist No. 10
Madison's essay on dangers of factions.
Federalist No. 51
Madison's argument for separation of powers.
Federalist No. 70
Hamilton's advocacy for a single executive.
Federalist No. 78
Hamilton's defense of judicial power and review.
Marbury v. Madison
Established judicial review in U.S. law.
Amendments
Changes to the Constitution allowing for evolution.
Legislative Branch
Branch responsible for making laws.
Executive Branch
Branch responsible for enforcing laws.
Judicial Branch
Branch interpreting laws and administering justice.
Elastic Clause
Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Federal Reserve System
Central bank not explicitly mentioned in Constitution.
Federal District Courts
Created by Congress to handle federal cases.
Courts of Appeals
Intermediate appellate courts established by Congress.
Supremacy Clause
Federal laws take precedence over state laws.
Federalism
Shared power between national and local governments.
McCulloch v. Maryland
States cannot tax national bank; reinforces supremacy.
United States v. Lopez
Commerce clause doesn't regulate guns in schools.
Delegated Powers
Powers specifically assigned to the national government.
Reserved Powers
Powers retained by the states under the 10th Amendment.
10th Amendment
Reserves powers not given to national government.
Interstate Trade
Regulated by national government under delegated powers.
Conducting Elections
A reserved power belonging to the states.
Establishing Post Offices
A delegated power of the national government.
Regulating Intrastate Business
State power to manage local commerce.
Making Treaties
Delegated power of the national government.
Declaring War
Exclusive power of the national government.
Local Governments
Responsible for justice, education, and public health.
Concurrent Powers
Shared powers between federal and state governments.
Eminent Domain
Government's right to take private property for public use.
Denied Powers
Powers prohibited to federal and state governments.
Writ of Habeas Corpus
Legal order to bring detainee before court.
Ex Post Facto Laws
Laws that retroactively change legal consequences.
Grants-in-Aid
Federal funds provided to state/local governments.
Categorical Grants
Federal aid with strict usage rules.
Separation of Powers
Division of government responsibilities among branches.
State Constitutions
Framework for state government structure and function.
Bicameral Legislatures
Legislative body with two chambers or houses.
Social Contract
Agreement where individuals surrender some freedoms for protection.
Pluralist Democracy
Group-based activism for common interests.
Elite Democracy
Political power concentrated among the educated and wealthy.
Direct Orders
Mandates requiring states to comply with federal law.
Preemption
Federal law overrides state law in certain areas.
Innovative Methods
States can experiment with different policies.
Resistance to Federalism
Opposition to federal control over state matters.
Treaty of Paris 1783
Ended Revolutionary War favorably for the U.S.
Northwest Ordinance
Established methods for new states to join U.S.
Shays' Rebellion
1786-1787 uprising protesting farm foreclosures.
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the Constitution favoring state power.
Federalist Papers
Essays promoting the Constitution's ratification.
Brutus No. 1
Critique of the Constitution's centralization of power.
Judicial Review
Court's ability to invalidate unconstitutional laws.
Executive Orders
Presidential directives with force of law.
Necessary and Proper Clause
Allows Congress to create necessary legislation.
Confederation
System where external member-states make decisions.
Interstate Trade Regulation
National government regulates trade between states.
Conducting Foreign Policy
National government manages international relations.
Raising Armed Forces
National government power to support military.
Naturalization Rules
National government establishes citizenship procedures.
Copyright and Patent Laws
National government regulates intellectual property rights.
Block Grants
Federal aid with flexible spending options.
Federalism Advantages
Encourages mass participation and regional autonomy.
Federalism Disadvantages
Can lead to policy inconsistency and inefficiency.
Checks and Balances
System to prevent dominance by any government branch.
Nomination Process
President nominates officials, Senate approves.
Treaty Approval
Requires 2/3 Senate approval to ratify treaties.
Veto Power
President's ability to reject legislation.
Override Veto
Congress can pass law despite presidential veto.
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