Apgov unit 1

Enlightenment

An 18th-century European intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the principles of liberty and democracy, which influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution.

Natural Rights

Rights that individuals are born with, including life, liberty, and property, which cannot be taken away by a government or monarch.

State of Nature

A theoretical condition before government where humans are free and equal but lack protection of their natural rights.

Social Contract

The idea that people give up some personal freedoms to a government in exchange for the protection of their natural rights. If the government violates this trust, citizens have a duty to overthrow it.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that power to govern comes from the people, and governments must operate with the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

A form of government where citizens elect representatives to create and enforce laws on their behalf.

Limited Government

A government whose power is restricted through laws, checks and balances, and the separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

Separation of Powers

The division of government power into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Checks and Balances

A system in which each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches to prevent abuse of power.

Foundational Documents

Key texts that establish principles of American democracy, such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document asserting the colonies' independence from Britain and outlining principles like natural rights, popular sovereignty, and the social contract.

Constitution

The blueprint for the U.S. government, establishing its structure, powers, and limits, and embodying republicanism and separation of powers.

Participatory Democracy

Emphasizes broad citizen involvement in politics (e.g., town halls, referenda).

Pluralist Democracy

Focuses on group-based activism and interest groups competing for influence.

Elite Democracy

Suggests that policymaking should be left to the educated and elite, as government is complex.

Federalist No. 10

A Federalist essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can control factions and protect liberty through pluralism and competition among diverse interests.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing that a large centralized government would threaten personal liberties and could not adequately represent citizens.

Factions

Groups of people united by common interests that may work against the public good.

Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights

The principle that the majority's decisions should prevail, but the rights of minorities must be protected.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution that created a weak central government and gave most powers to the states.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A provision in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) giving Congress the power to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

The constitutional principle that federal law takes precedence over state law when there is a conflict.

Tax Law Enforcement under Articles

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress lacked the power to tax and could only request funds from states, leading to financial instability.

Shay's Rebellion

An uprising that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the federal government's inability to respond effectively.

Ratification

The process of formally approving a document or agreement (e.g., ratifying the Constitution as law).

Natural Rights

Rights that all individuals possess inherently, such as life, liberty, and property (as per John Locke).

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and the government where people consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the authority of the government comes from the people.

Republicanism

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Limited Government

The idea that the government's power is restricted by law, usually through a constitution.

Separation of Powers

Division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches.

Federalism

The division and sharing of power between the national and state governments.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which created a weak federal government.

Constitutional Convention

A 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where the U.S. Constitution was created.

The Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature (House based on population, Senate with equal representation).

Virginia Plan

Proposal for representation based on state population; favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation of states; favored small states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation purposes.

Electoral College

The system for electing the president, where electors chosen by states cast votes.

Compromise on the Importation of Slaves

Prohibited Congress from ending the slave trade for 20 years after ratification.

Bicameral Legislature

A two-house legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8).

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

States that federal law is supreme over state law when there is conflict.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states, foreign nations, and Indian tribes.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize the laws, public records, and court decisions of other states.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.

14th Amendment

Ensures citizenship and equal protection under the law; applies the Bill of Rights to states.

Proposal

An amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in Congress or a constitutional convention.

Ratification

Requires approval by three-fourths of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.

Exclusive Powers

Powers reserved solely for the federal government (e.g., treaties, coining money).

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states (10th Amendment, e.g., education, police powers).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments (e.g., taxing).

Fiscal Federalism

Federal government uses money to influence states through grants and mandates.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds given to states for specific purposes with strict guidelines.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states for broad purposes with more flexibility on spending.

Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on states, sometimes funded (e.g., Clean Air Act) and sometimes unfunded.

Revenue Sharing

The distribution of federal tax revenue to state and local governments.

Devolution

The return of power to the states, often associated with President Reagan.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Strengthened federal power; established implied powers via the Necessary and Proper Clause and reinforced the Supremacy Clause.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995)

Limited federal power; ruled that Congress overstepped using the Commerce Clause to regulate guns in schools.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional (established in Marbury v. Madison).

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy where citizens have a broad role in policymaking (e.g., referenda).

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy where groups compete to influence policy.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy where a small, elite group influences decision-making.

Stakeholders

Individuals or groups who have an interest in influencing public policy.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (adapted from John Locke's 'life, liberty, and property'). Rights that are inherent to all people, not granted by governments.

Social Contract

The agreement between people and their government: people give up some freedoms, and the government protects their rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the government's power comes from the consent of the governed (the people).

Republicanism

A system where elected representatives govern on behalf of the people.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent tyranny.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the others.

Declaration of Independence

Statement of natural rights, popular sovereignty, and reasons for separating from Britain.

Federalist No. 10 (James Madison)

Argues that a large republic can control factions better through pluralism and competition.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist argument warning against a large centralized government and advocating for participatory democracy.

The Constitution

Blueprint for the U.S. government, outlining separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution, which created a weak central government with most powers reserved for states.

Great Compromise

Bicameral legislature: House of Representatives (based on population) and Senate (equal representation for states).

Electoral College

A compromise on electing the president; electors (not the people directly) cast votes for the president.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted three-fifths of enslaved individuals for representation in Congress.

Importation of Slaves Compromise

Delayed action on abolishing the slave trade for 20 years.

Article V

The process for amending the Constitution: Proposal: By Congress (2/3 vote) or state conventions. Ratification: By 3/4 of state legislatures or state conventions.

15th Amendment

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

Exclusive Powers

Powers only for the federal government (e.g., declaring war, regulating interstate commerce).

Reserved Powers

Powers reserved for the states (e.g., education, local governance).

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments (e.g., taxation, law enforcement).

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal laws are superior to state laws.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants Congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its duties.

Shay's Rebellion

Highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, prompting calls for a stronger federal government.

Philadelphia (Constitutional) Convention

A meeting in 1787 to draft the U.S. Constitution.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided and shared between national (federal) and state governments.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal funds to influence state policies, often through grants.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided to states with specific conditions on how the money must be spent.

Block Grants

Federal funds given to states for broad purposes, with more flexibility in spending.

Mandates

Federal rules that states must follow, sometimes with funding (funded mandates) and sometimes without (unfunded mandates).

Commerce Clause

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Devolution

The transfer of power from the federal government back to the states, popularized in the 1980s.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A Supreme Court case that expanded federal power through the Necessary and Proper Clause and reinforced the Supremacy Clause.