AP Gov Chapter 1 Vocab

Advise and consent

the power of the senate to approve or disapprove of any of the president's appointments or treaties

Anti-federalists

Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Commerce Clause

Clause stating that Congress can regulate interstate and international commerce.

Declaration of Independence

Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state.

Electoral College System

The system responsible for electing the president. The number of delegates in each state is the sum of their representatives and senators. This system was instituted because the Framers feared that direct election of the president would lead to mob rule.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

Extradition

A legal process whereby a state surrenders a person charged with a crime to the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Federalists

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population (435)

Impeachment

A formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office (HoR)

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution," Federalist leader, and fourth President of the United States.

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Marbury v. Madison

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review

Removal

The final step in dismissing a civil officer or executive from office after a conviction via an impeachment trial or a formal legislative mechanism. It serves as a core check and balance to hold leaders accountable for misconduct.

Natural Law

The ethical and philosophical belief that universal moral principles are inherent in human nature and discoverable through reason. These principles exist independently of human-made laws and serve as the foundational basis for natural rights (such as life, liberty, and property) that governments cannot legitimately take away

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers (based on preexisting enumerated powers)

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.

Pocket veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it. Cannot be overrided.

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution

Representative Republic

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions based on the law and/or constitution on their behalf.

Reserved Powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states; belong to the states and the people

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress. Two senators are elected by voters in each state for a six-year term.

Separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Shays' Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures and high taxes. It highlighted the need for a strong national government and criticized AoC.

Social Contract

The implicit agreement where people give up some of their individual freedom and power to a government in exchange for social order, safety, and the protection of their natural rights

Supremacy Clause

Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Constitution + federal laws > state

Two-thirds Override

To pass a bill over the President's objections requires a two-thirds vote in each Chamber

Veto

A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body; can be overriden

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.

Trustee Model

A model of representation in which a member of the House or Senate follows his or her own conscience when deciding issue positions

Delegate Model

The view that an elected represent should represent the opinions of his or her constituents.