AP Gov Unit 1 Exam

Democratic Ideals in Declaration of Independence

asserting that all people possess natural rights, governments derive their power from the consent of the governed, and that citizens hold the right to alter or abolish a destructive government

Democratic Ideals in the US Constitution

establishing a structural framework for a limited government. It translates core philosophies such as popular sovereignty, republicanism, and the separation of powers, into enforceable rules that balance individual liberties with public order

Natural Rights

The three things that we as human beings all deserve. Life, Liberty, and Property: pursuit of happiness

Popular Sovereignty

The core idea that a government gets its power and right to rule from the people. Power to the People. If everyone in the society are equal, then all retain equal power. Society chooses the leader and the leader serves society

Republicanism

Basically, we vote for our politicians and have representatives. a foundational principle of government where power resides in the people and is exercised through elected representatives.

Social Contract

In order to protect Natural Rights, humankind surrenders the extreme rights to preserve a functioning government that is of Natural Rights. You obey laws, and you benefit from government services, a deal with government the agreement where people give up some of their absolute freedom to government in exchange for social order, safety, and the protection of their natural rights

Democracy

The people of the society makes the decision on everything by voting. A system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives

Participatory Democracy

Is a model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions. 

Pluralist Democracy

Is a model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy. 

Elitist Democracy

Is a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making. 

Federalism

a system of government where a constitution divides and shares power between a national (central) government and regional (state) governments

Checks and Balances

a constitutional system that gives each branch of government the power to limit, block, or approve the actions of the other branches. This design ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful and helps prevent tyranny

Separation of Powers

a constitutional design that divides the national government's authority into three distinct branches. Each branch has unique jobs and independent powers, ensuring that no single group or person gains total control

Limited Government

the core democratic principle that a government's power is strictly restricted by law, a constitution, and the consent of the people to protect individual liberties and prevent tyranny.

Federalist #10

Written by James Madison in 1787. Argues that a large, diverse republic is the best defense against the dangerous rule of political "factions" groups with interests contrary to the rights of others. Madison stated that a large nation stops any single group from taking total control. Supported ratification of the constitution

Brutus #1

It argues against ratifying the new U.S. Constitution, warning that a strong national government will grow too large, destroy state power, and take away the personal freedom of the people

Faction

any group of citizens, united by a shared interest, passion, or belief that works against the rights of other citizens or the long-term interests of the whole community

Anti-Federalists

a political coalition that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and initially fought against the ratification of the 1787 Constitution. They feared a powerful central government would lead to tyranny. Led by Thomas Jefferson. This political party pushed for old Articles of Confederation ways. Favored state power over federal powers in order to preserve freedom and tyranny in the individual. 

Federalists

Supporters of the newly written U.S. Constitution who argued for a strong national government. Their core ideas are found in the Federalist Papers. Believed in National Institutions like a Federal Bank and laws that regulated the country as a whole, as it would benefit all peoples.

Anti-federalists reluctance to sign new constitution

because they feared a powerful national government would crush state power and take away individual freedoms, much like the British monarchy they had just fought a war to escape.

Articles of Confederation

Were the first constitution of the United States. They created a loose "league of friendship" where individual states kept most of their power. The first constitution was made during the Revolutionary War because a new nation under war should also be united with some consistency This constitution focused more on state power rather than national power.

Problems with Articles of Confederation

Federal Government had no power to tax, No power of the Federal Government to regulate interstate trade, No Federal court system, No real power was given to the President, Required the consent of all the states to amend the Articles, Congress could not draft troops, Needed 9 of the 13 states had to agree to pass any laws

Constitution corrected Articles of Confederation

by creating a strong national government with power to tax, regulate trade, and enforce laws. Instead of just fixing the old rules, leaders wrote a new plan in 1787 with three clear branches of government. Congress gained the power to collect taxes directly instead of asking states for money. The national government took charge of trade between states and with other countries. A President was created to run the country and enforce laws, etc.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

solved a major debate at the Constitutional Convention by creating a bicameral Congress. It combined the Virginia Plan, which favored population-based representation for large states, with the New Jersey Plan, which favored equal representation for small states. Combining both plans into one and establishing what we know today as the Legislative Branch: The House of Representatives and The Senate

Electoral College

The constitutional system used to elect the U.S. president. It consists of 538 total electors, and a candidate needs a majority of 270 votes to win. Each state gets electors based on its total congressional delegation. Was established between election of the president by a vote in congress and election of the president by a popular vote of qualified citizens. 

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement at the Constitutional Convention. It counted three out of every five enslaved people toward state population counts. This total determined a state's seats in the House of Representatives and its share of direct federal taxes. The population of slaves would be counted as three-fifths in total when apportioning congressional representatives, presidential electors, and taxation for the federal government

Slavery Trade Compromise

No new slaves would be imported after 1808, which was 20 years after the ratification of the Constitution. 

Enumerated Powers

the specific, explicit authorities/powrs granted to the federal government, and primarily to Congress, by the U.S. Constitution. Article 1, Section 8.

Implied Powers

Legal or governmental authorities not explicitly written down in a founding document, but understood as necessary to perform the duties that are formally listed

Reserved Powers

Political powers that the constitution does not give to the central government or forbid to the states. Protected by the Tenth Amendment, these powers stay with the state governments or the people.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

It requires each state to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state, ensuring that legal decisions and civil judgments carry across state line. Such as if you get married in one state or get a driver’s license in one state, the other state has to recognize that too. Article IV, Section 1

Privileges and Immunities Clause

prevents a state from unfairly discriminating against citizens who are out of state that enter a new state. It ensures that traveling or visiting citizens receive the same fundamental rights, such as property ownership, court access, and reasonable taxation, as a state's own local residents. Like if you are a killer in one state, you will be considered a killer in all the states. Article IV, section 2

Extradition Clause

In the Constitution where a state must return a suspected or convicted criminal to the state where the crime allegedly took place. As if you commit a crime in one state and run away, you have to go back to the first state for court. Article IV, Section 2

Federalist #51

written by James Madison, explains how the structure of the U.S. Constitution prevents tyranny by dividing power. It argues that human nature requires internal controls on government, famously noting that ambition must counteract ambition through a system of separated powers, checks and balances, and federalism. Supports ratification of the Constitution.

Amendment Can be Proposed and Ratified into Law

By Congress: A two-thirds 2/3 supermajority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

By a National Convention: Two-thirds 2/3 of state legislatures (34 states) petition Congress to call a national convention to propose amendments

10th Amendment

any power not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution belongs to the states or to the people. It is the core constitutional basis for federalism and reserved powers, protecting state authority against federal overreach.

14th Amendment

it says that anyone born in the United States is a citizen, it promises that the government must treat everyone fairly (due process), and it guarantees that all people get equal protection under the law

Grants/Conditions-In-Aid

money transfers from the federal government to state and local governments to fund public policies like education, highways, or healthcare. rules and requirements that the national government sets for states to follow in order to receive federal money

Categorical Grants

the federal government gives states money for a specific purpose, such as interstate highways with many strings attached, like seat belt law or drinking age requirements

Block Grants

the federal government gives states a bunch of money for a broad area, such as transportation, with only a few strings attached. They give states high flexibility in how they spend the funds

Mandates

rules or requirements set by the federal government that state and local governments must follow

Dual Federalism (“Layered Cake”)

a system where national and state governments operate in distinct, separate spheres of authority. Federal and State governments have separate spheres of power

Cooperative Federalism (“Marble Cake”)

a system where national and state governments share responsibilities, costs, and policy administration to solve problems

Commerce Clause

gives Congress the power to regulate trade with foreign nations, among the states. Gives Congress the power to make laws about trade and business Article I, Section 8, Clause 18

Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause

It gives Congress the power to pass all laws needed to carry out its enumerated (expressed) powers. Government deserves rights to make laws necessary and proper.

McColloch v. Maryland

Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause to create a national bank, and that the Supremacy Clause prevents states from taxing federal institutions. Ruled that Congress has limited powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause. Federal gov said they had more power than state gov. Supremacy clause used appropriately.

United States v. Lopez

the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that Congress overstepped its power under the Commerce Clause by passing the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. The Court held that carrying a gun in a school zone is not an economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce. Limited Congress power about carrying guns to school.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

a mandatory federal entitlement program administered by the states that provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income household

National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter Act) of 1993

is a federal law that requires states to allow citizens to register to vote when they apply for or renew their driver's license. Crucial example of how the federal government can influence election procedures, which are traditionally controlled by individual states under federalism

Clean Air Act of 1970

landmark federal law that empowers to set national air quality standards and regulate pollution emissions from both stationary and mobile sources across the United States. Prime example of federal mandates, cooperative federalism, and the discretionary authority of federal bureaucratic agencies.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public life, employment, transportation, and public accommodations. Premier example of a federal mandate, specifically an unfunded mandate—that forces both state governments and private businesses to comply with federal accessibility standards.

Brady Bill of 1993

is a major federal law that created the national background check system for buying guns from licensed dealers. Most important as a historic federalism case study, specifically because of the landmark Supreme Court decision Printz v. United States (1997), which struck down part of it.

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

required states to implement standardized testing and meet strict accountability goals in order to receive federal funding. Serves as a prime example of a federal mandate and the ongoing debate over federalism and local control in public education.

Bicameral legislature

a lawmaking body with two separate chambers. In U.S. government, this is Congress, which is split into the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Central Government

the top-level governing authority in a political system that handles matters affecting the entire country, such as national defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce

Concurrent powers

political powers shared by both the federal and state governments in a federal system, such as Levy Taxes, Maintain Roads and thoroughfares, Create Courts and Borrow MoneyBecause the U.S. Constitution does not grant these specific authorities exclusively to the national government or deny them to the states, both levels can exercise them at the same time

Direct Democracy

a system of government where citizens vote directly on laws and policies rather than through elected representatives

Ex post facto law

is a law that makes an action illegal or punishes it more harshly after it has already happened

Fiscal federalism

the pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system. The national government uses financial incentives and federal funds to influence state and local government policies. Transfer of payments from the national government to the lower-level governments.

Formal amendment

a written change or addition to the text of the U.S. Constitution, established and governed by Article V

Grants

funds given by the national government to state and local governments to influence policy under fiscal federalism

Informal amendment

a change in the meaning, application, or operation of the U.S. Constitution without altering its written text.

Judicial Review

the power of the courts to check the other branches. It lets federal courts declare laws, executive orders, and state actions unconstitutional

Inherent powers

powers that the national government holds simply because it is a sovereign state, even though the Constitution does not explicitly write them down

Ratification

the official formal approval, specifically requiring 9 out of 13 states under Article VII, to make the U.S. Constitution law

Supremacy Clause

the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the "supreme Law of the Land". If a state law conflicts with a valid federal law, the federal law wins and the state law becomes void

Supermajority

a voting requirement that demands a higher threshold than a simple majority (51% or more than half) to pass a specific action

Unicameral legislature

a lawmaking body that has only one chamber or house, rather than two