AP U.S. Government Essential Vocabulary

Vocabulary and Terminology Associated With AP U.S. Government. This includes individual words, phrases, dates, and historical figures associated with the history of the U.S. Government.

Government

A political institution that has the power to enforce rules and impose order and stability on a society

Sovereign Local Government

A fully independent government that determines its own affairs and policies without external interference.

A Referendum

A process by which a law is referred to voters for final approval or rejection

E Pluribus Unum

The motto of the United States; from Latin, means “from the many, one”

The Enlightenment

European intellectual movement of the late seventeenth/early eighteenth centuries emphasizing reason and individualism over tradition; and also the pursuit of knowledge, which influenced political thought and the development of modern democratic principles.

Statutory Law

Laws enacted by a legislative body, such as Congress or state legislatures. Is also referred to as written law

Common Law

A legal system based on judicial precedents, customs, and court rulings, rather than on written statutes. Is also referred to as the unwritten law

Monotheism

The belief that there is only one God

Bicameral

A legislative system with two chambers or houses, typically a lower house and an upper house

Unicameral

A legislative system with one chamber or house

Federal System

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, such as states or provinces

Malapportionment

The drawing of boundaries of political districts in such a way that the population in each district is not equal, leading to unequal representation.

A Whip

A party leader who ensures party members are present for votes and vote the way the party wishes

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in the Senate that considers bills within a certain jurisdiction

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion

2nd Amendment

The right to keep and bear arms

3rd Amendment

Soldiers are not permitted to reside in private homes without the owner’s consent in peacetime, or in wartime, but in a manner according to law

4th Amendment

People have the right to be secure in their homes, papers, and effects; there shall be no unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

The right to remain silent; a person may not be tried again after being acquitted; requires the government to compensate people when it takes their private property for public use; requires that due process of law be followed when a person's life, liberty, or property is denied. 

6th Amendment

Protects the rights of criminal defendants

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases

8th Amendment

The government cannot impose "cruel and unusual punishments" on someone convicted of a crime, and it also protects against excessive bail and fines being set in a criminal case

9th Amendment

Protects, the right to vote, the right to travel, the right to privacy, and one's own body

10th Amendment

The federal government only has the powers that are given to it in the Constitution. Any powers that aren't given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people 

11th Amendment

Protects states from being sued by citizens of other states or foreign countries in federal court

12th Amendment

Modifies the way the Electoral College chooses the president and vice president.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime

14th Amendment

Protects citizens' rights and liberties, and extends the Bill of Rights to the states

Bill of Rights

The first 10 Amendments

Deficit Spending

When the government spends more than it takes in each year, and it borrows to make up the difference. The accumulation amount borrowed is the national debt

Bankruptcy

The legal proceeding in which the bankrupt’s assets are distributed among the individuals or the businesses to which a debt is owed

Naturalization Powers

The process by which immigrants become citizens of the United States

President of the United States requirements

The President must be at least 35 years old, a natural born citizen of the United States, and have been a resident within the United States for at least 14 years

Treaty

A formal agreement between two or more countries

Executive Order

A directive, rule, or regulation that has the same effect as a law.

Congressional-Executive Agreement

A method that the President of the U.S. uses to implement policies and treaties; it allows the President to negotiate a treaty, usually a trade agreement with a foreign country, and submit it to both chambers of Congress for a majority approval

Judicial Review

The tool of the federal courts in our American system of checks and balances on which the U.S. government is based.

Strict-constructionist approach

Maintains that judges should adhere to the language clearly written or implied in the Constitution

The Activist Approach

Suggests that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current social, economic, and political conditions and values

The Constitutional Courts

Federal courts that exercise the power of the U.S. government

The Special Courts

Hears cases arising out of the powers given to Congress

The Doctrine of Implied Powers

Gives the national government the authority to carry out the duties assigned to it in the Constitution

The Doctrine of National Supremacy

Maintains that in cases of conflict between the national and state governments, the national government is supreme

Dred Scott vs. Sandford case

1857 famous case; the supreme Court held that slaves were not citizens of the United States and were not entitled to the rights and privileges of citizenship. This was later overruled by the 13th and 14th Amendments

Encroachment

When by the government, is the gradual loss of rights and possessions of citizens

Jurisdiction

The right and power to interpret and apply the law

The Blue Slip

Refers to the piece of paper that the chairman of the committee sends to a senator informing him or her that the president has made a nomination to a position in the senator’s home state and inviting him or her to object or offer support.

The Solicitor General

The federal government’s chief lawyer. The president nominates a candidate and the Senate confirms the position. As the fourth-ranking officer in the Department of Justice, the — is part of the executive branch.

Writ Of Certiorari

From Latin, means “ to be informed”. It is an order to a lower court to send up the record of a case for review.

Stare Decisis

Latin for “ to stand by that which is decided”. It is the principle to abide or adhere to decided cases

A Brief

A document that states the facts of the cases, summarizes the lower-court decision, gives the argument of the lawyer, and discusses prior cases that bear on the issue.

A Republic

A state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them. In other words, a — is a popular representative government.

Enumerated Powers

Those powers explicitly, or expressly, identified in the Constitution. They define the limits of power for each branch of the federal government and are clearly implied by the 10th Amendment

Sovereignty

The supreme power or authority of a state to govern itself within its own territory, meaning it has complete control over its population and laws without external influence.

Implied Powers

The powers of Congress that are not clearly stated or outlined in the Constitution, but are implied.

Elastic Cause

Coined by Alexander hamilton as the “necessary and proper cause”, this phrase explains his initial desire for the Constitution to be able to do whatever it wished for a smooth governing of the nation

McCulloch vs. Maryland

1819 Supreme Court case that defined the relationship between the federal government and state governments. The case established that Congress has the power to create a national bank and that states cannot tax the federal government. 

Delegated Powers

The powers that are specifically assigned to the jurisdiction of the national government

Inherent Powers

The powers of the US government that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution. They are necessary for the government to function and maintain order.

Example, the power to declare war.

Expulsion

A form of Congress discipline, which requires a two-thirds vote. It is a sort of punishment to Congress members, which also includes the President

Censure

Very simply, a reprimanding letter/formal warning given to a congressman to reprimand their behaviour which is not becoming of a congressman.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing

The location in the U.S. where paper money is printed

Ex Facto Laws

These are illegal bills that cannot be passed by Congress. They are essentially laws passed to punish particular individuals.

Legal Tender

To make something — means to make it a currency that has to be accepted in payment of debts.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 Amendments, which was ratified on December 15, 1791. It is meant to be a series of limitations on government so that people can more fully exercise their rights.

Income Tax

A tax levied on your income.

Progressive Tax

Essentially, the higher your income becomes, the higher your tax rate is to the government

Payroll Taxes

The taxes employees and employers pay on wages, tips, and salaries. These taxes include federal, state, and local taxes, as well as FICA taxes, which are taxes for Social Security and Medicare. These taxes are all taken out of an employee's wages.

Regressive Tax

Meaning the tax burden falls disproportionately on the poor, as the tax rate decreases as income increases; essentially, the poorer you are, the higher percentage of your income goes towards taxes. 

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms that are protected by the government

Inalienable Rights

Rights and certain liberties that cannot be taken away

Charter

a formal document that establishes an organization or institution, granting it specific rights, powers, and privileges, essentially outlining its structure and purpose

Parliament

A legislative body in the United Kingdom, historically established to represent the interests of the people and limit the powers of the monarchy.

Common Sense

A novel by Thomas Paine that called Americans to separate from England.

Natural Law Philosophy

The idea essentially suggesting that certain rights and values are inherent to human nature and not solely dependent on government or societal constructs; these principles can be discovered through reason. 

Antecedent

Essentially, it's the "cause" that triggers a particular political effect, often used when discussing the reasoning behind a Supreme Court decision or a legislative action

John Wise

(1652-1725) Author born in Massachusetts, educated at Harvard, and was a learned advocate for natural law, natural rights, and individual liberty.

A Vindication of the Government of New England

Book by John Wise, reprinted in 1772, as the movement for Independence was abuilding. The book placed great emphasis upon man’s rationality. He argued that in a state of nature man was naturally at liberty.

Jonathan Mayhew

(1720-1766) He delivered a famous speech on the subject on the right of people to revolt against and replace an oppressive regime.

Emendations

The process of making a revision or correction to a text.

First Part of the Declaration of Independence

States the principles which justify the revolt of the former colonies of Britain in America, their break from England and the taking up of an independent course in this world.

Second Part of the Declaration of Independence

Simply, a lengthy list of abuses by Britain which are all to be blamed directly upon King George III.

Third Part of the Declaration of Independence

Independence is proclaimed and the right of Americans to govern themselves is asserted.

Compact Theory of Government

The idea that the U.S. was formed through an agreement (compact) between the state governments.

Virginia Bill of Rights

A document drawn up by George Mason, and adopted by the Virginia Convention in June, 1776, and about three weeks before the Declaration of Independence.

Massachusetts Bill of Rights

A document drawn up mainly by John Adams and adopted in 1780, and was more extensive and prohibited than the Virginia Bill of Rights.

The Virginia Statute of Religious Liberty

The landmark for the establishment of religious liberty. It was drafted by Thomas Jefferson and passed into law by the Virginia legislature in 1786.

A Quitrent

A tax or land tax imposed on occupants of freehold or leased land in lieu of services to a higher landowning authority, usually a government or its assigns.

March 1, 1781

The date that the Articles of Confederation were declared ratified and in effect.

The Articles of Confederation

The written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain. It consists of 13 pages filled with verbose passages that go into heavy detail.

Summary of the limitations outlined by the Articles of Confederation

Congress had no power over the civilian population; no direct powers of taxation; no courts to enforce its will; and no constabulary to perform the police function.

The Constitutional Convention

An event that took place in 1787, where the founding fathers gathered to discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and began the ratification of the Constitution.

Rules Governing the Behavior of House Members at the Constitutional Convention

Members shall rise to speak, address the President, all attention shall be directed towards the speaker, and they shall not speak a second time without leave or on the same subject twice before everyone else has had the opportunity to

Subordinate Jurisdiction

The lower powers of the court to adjudicate cases and issue orders.

Senates Length of Terms

6 years

One-Third Senates Stand for Election

Every 2 years

The Required Amount of State’s Votes that Ratified the Constitution

Two-thirds

Petit Jury

The jury that is used in criminal and civil trials, when they are required or requested. It consists of 12 members, who are selected by lot from among the citizenry.