Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering foundational political philosophy, constitutional principles, Articles of Confederation, federalism, and landmark court cases from Unit 1.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights inherent to all human beings, identified by political philosopher John Locke as central to individual liberty.

Consent of the Governed

John Locke's theory that a government derives its political authority and legitimacy from the permission of the people it rules.

Limited Government

The principle that governmental power is restricted by law and constitutional bounds to protect the rights of citizens.

Separation of Powers (Montesquieu)

Baron de Montesquieu's political theory advocating for the distribution of government authority among distinct branches to prevent absolute power.

Federalist No. 10

A foundational essay written to support the proposed Constitution, focusing on controlling the influence and dangers of political factions in a large republic.

Federalist No. 39

A Federalist paper detailing the republican nature of the proposed government and explaining its blend of federal and national characteristics.

Federalist No. 51

A Federalist essay outlining how the proposed Constitution maintains liberty through horizontal separation of powers and checks and balances.

Federalist No. 70

A Federalist essay arguing for a single, strong, energetic executive to lead the presidency effectively.

Federalist No. 78

A Federalist paper focusing on the federal judiciary, advocating for judicial review and life tenure for federal judges during good behavior.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist paper arguing against ratifying the Constitution out of concern that a strong central government would erode state sovereignty and individual rights.

Shay's Rebellion

An armed uprising of Massachusetts farmers that exposed the critical weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

An agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention establishing a bicameral legislature with equal state representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A constitutional agreement counting three-fifths of the enslaved population for the purposes of congressional representation and direct taxation.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A provision in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution empowering Congress to enact laws necessary and proper to execute its enumerated powers.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A constitutional protection in Article I, Section 9 ensuring that an arrested person must be brought before a court to determine the legality of their detention.

Bills of Attainder

A legislative act declaring a person or group guilty of a crime and imposing punishment without a judicial trial, prohibited by Article I, Section 9.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that retroactively punish conduct that was legal when committed, prohibited under Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

An Article IV provision requiring states to recognize and enforce the legal decisions, public acts, and records of other states.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

An Article IV provision ensuring that citizens of one state are granted the same fundamental rights when traveling or residing in another state.

Extradition

The Article IV constitutional requirement that a state surrender an accused or convicted criminal back to the state where the crime occurred.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI clause declaring the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties to be the supreme law of the land.

Article V Amendment Process

The legal procedure requiring a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote in both houses of Congress (or a national convention) to propose an amendment, and ratification by $\frac{3}{4}$ of state legislatures or state conventions.

Article VII Ratification Requirement

The provision requiring approval from $9$ of the original 13 states for the Constitution to take official effect.

Tyranny of the Majority

A situation in which a democratic majority utilizes its political superiority to trample upon the rights and interests of numerical minority groups.

Checks and Balances

The horizontal separation of powers framework that empowers each branch of government to restrain or review the actions of the other branches.

Federalism

The vertical separation of powers dividing authority between the federal government and individual state governments.

Tenth Amendment (Reserved Powers)

The constitutional amendment specifying that powers not explicitly delegated to the national government nor denied to the states belong to the states or the people.

Concurrent Powers

Government powers held and exercised independently by both federal and state authorities simultaneously.

Dual vs. Cooperative Federalism

Models of federalism contrasting clearly divided spheres of federal and state power (dual) with shared, overlapping responsibilities (cooperative).

Fiscal Federalism

The federal government's practice of funding state programs through grants to influence state policy objectives.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants distributed to state or local governments for specific, defined purposes, structured as either project grants or formula grants.

Block Grants

Federal funds allocated to states with broad parameters, granting state officials broad discretion over how to spend the money.

Mandates

Direct federal orders requiring state and local governments to comply with national standards or policy goals.

Marbury vs. Madison

The landmark Supreme Court decision establishing the principle of judicial review.

McCulloch vs. Maryland

Supreme Court case confirming legislative implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause and affirming national supremacy over state actions.

United States vs. Lopez

Supreme Court case establishing limits on legislative power under the Commerce Clause.

Gibbons vs. Ogden and Wickard v. Filburn

Supreme Court cases establishing an expansive interpretation of federal commerce power under the Commerce Clause.