Unit 1 Review: Foundations of American Democracy

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental democratic principles, the Articles of Confederation, Constitutional debates, structure of the U.S. Constitution, and mechanisms of American federalism.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens meet and vote directly on government decisions.

Representative Democracy (Republic)

A form of democracy where citizens choose officials who make decisions on government policy.

Magna Carta (1215)

The first ever attempt to limit the power of the British King, which guaranteed all people certain rights.

Social Contract Theory

Principle that people enter into a social contract with the government and allow themselves to be ruled.

Consent of the Governed

Principle that all rulers depend on the approval of the people, and when governments fail to protect rights, citizens have the right to change the government.

Natural Rights

Principle that all people are born with certain rights: life, liberty, and property (adapted by Thomas Jefferson to the pursuit of happiness).

Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson's document built on natural rights, consent of the governed, and social contract theory that justified the American Revolution against England.

Common Good

The belief in doing what is best for the nation overall.

Popular Sovereignty

The belief that ultimate authority rests with the people.

Majority Rule

The belief that government is run based on the will of the majority.

Participatory Democracy

A form of democracy that assumes individuals are actively involved in government.

Elite Democracy

A form of democracy where government furthers the interests of the rich and powerful.

Pluralist Democracy

A form of democracy that assumes groups are actively involved in government.

Shay's Rebellion

A 1,200-man revolt led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shay in Springfield, MA over heavy farm debt that exposed national weakness under the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention

A convention starting in May 1787 in Philadelphia where congressmen initially met to revise the Articles of Confederation but ultimately created a new Constitution.

Federalists

Group favoring a strong national government, weaker state governments, indirect election of officials, longer terms, and government led by the elite.

Anti-Federalists

Group favoring strong state governments, a weak national government, direct election of officials, shorter terms, rule by the common man, and strengthened protections for individual liberties.

Virginia Plan

Proposal featuring 3 branches and a bicameral legislature with representation based on population size in both houses, favored by big states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal featuring 3 branches and a unicameral legislature with equal representation (one vote per state), favored by small states.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Agreement creating a bicameral legislature with population-based representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation (2 Senators per state) in the Senate.

Three-Fifths (3/5ths) Compromise

Article I, Section 2 clause stating that for every 5 enslaved persons, 3 would be counted for both representation and taxation.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist essay emphasizing the benefits of a small, decentralized republic while warning of dangers to personal liberty from a large central government.

Federalist No. 10

Essay written by Madison focusing on the superiority of a large republic in controlling the 'mischiefs of faction'.

Federalist No. 51

Essay written by Madison discussing the importance of separation of powers and checks and balances in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

Amendment stating that powers not given to the federal government nor denied to the states are reserved to the states or to the people.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional clause establishing that the Constitution, congressional laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Expressed/Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government in the Constitution, such as declaring war, taxing, and regulating interstate commerce.

Implied Powers

Powers not expressly stated in the Constitution but derived from the Elastic or Necessary and Proper Clause.

Inherent Powers

Powers that exist simply because the U.S. is a sovereign nation, such as controlling country borders and acquiring new territories.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both national and state governments, such as collecting taxes, borrowing money, and establishing courts.

Habeas Corpus

Protection against being imprisoned without formal accusation.

Bills of Attainder

Laws that declare a person guilty often without a trial, which are explicitly denied to government.

Ex Post Facto Laws

'After the fact' laws that make an act illegal after it was performed, explicitly denied to government.

Full Faith & Credit

Requirement that each state recognize official documents and judgments rendered by other states.

Privileges & Immunities

Requirement that citizens of each state have the privileges of citizens of other states.

Extradition

Requirement that states return a person charged with a crime in another state to that state for punishment.

Dual Federalism (Layer Cake)

System where the powers and responsibilities of state and national governments are kept completely separate.

Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake)

System where national and state governments share responsibilities, costs, guidelines, and administration.

Fiscal Federalism

The federal government's pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants to influence state and local governments.

Devolution

The policy process of returning government power and administrative control back to the states.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds given to states with specific strings attached, usually connected to targeted areas of need.

Block Grants

Larger sums of federal money given for broad policy areas without strings attached.

Mandates

Federal directives requiring states to comply with federal rules, which can be funded or unfunded (such as the ADA).