AP Gov Unit 1

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by laws (like the Constitution), so it cannot take away basic rights.

Enlightenment

A movement in the 1600s–1700s that used reason and science to question government and promote individual rights.

Natural Rights

Basic rights all people are born with, like life, liberty, and property; governments must protect them.

State of Nature

A situation without government where people are free but lack security and order.

Popular Sovereignty

The people are the source of government power.

Social Contract

People give up some freedom to government in exchange for protection of their rights.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Social Contract)

Believed government should be based on the will of the people and agreed to by the people.

Baron de Montesquieu

Promoted separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

Republicanism

A system where people elect representatives to make laws and govern.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government into branches (legislative, executive, judicial) so no branch becomes too powerful.

Philadelphia Convention

Meeting where the U.S. Constitution was written to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Grand Committee (Great Compromise)

Agreement creating a bicameral Congress: House (based on population) + Senate (equal representation).

Representative Republic

A government where citizens elect officials to represent their interests.

U.S. is NOT a Pure Democracy

The U.S. is a republic because people elect representatives instead of voting directly on every law.

John Adams

Leader from Massachusetts who supported independence and helped write the Declaration of Independence.

Benjamin Franklin

Leader from Pennsylvania who helped write the Declaration and gain support for independence.

Alexander Hamilton

Wanted a strong central government and co-wrote the Federalist Papers to support the Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson

Main author of the Declaration of Independence.

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution,” helped write it, co-wrote the Federalist Papers, and wrote the Bill of Rights.

George Washington

Revolutionary War general who led the Constitutional Convention.

Legislative

makes laws

Executive

enforces laws

Judicial

interprets laws

balance rights + power

protect freedom while keeping order, safety, and defense

Democracy

Government where people have the power (vote or choose leaders)

Participatory Democracy

People directly make decisions (vote on laws themselves)

Pluralist Democracy

Many groups compete to influence government decisions

Elite Democracy

Small, wealthy/educated group makes most decisions

Federalist No. 10

Essay saying strong government controls factions

Brutus No. 1

Essay saying strong government is dangerous

United States Constitution

Set of laws that runs the U.S. government

Faction

A group with shared interests that may harm others

Referendum

When citizens vote directly on a law

Interest Groups

Groups that try to influence government decisions

Electoral College

System where electors choose the president

Balance strong government

protect freedom