GoPo Unit 1

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.