Khan Academy- AP gov unit 1

Constitutional Convention

A meeting of delegates from 12 of the 13 states to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution featuring a stronger central government.

limited government

A political system in which the government’s power is restricted by laws or a written Constitution.

natural rights

The right to life, liberty, and property, which no government may take away.

republicanism

The principle of governing through elected representatives.

social contract

An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.

democracy

A system of government in which the power of the government is vested in the people, who rule directly or through elected representatives.

participatory democracy

A form of democracy that emphasizes broad, direct participation in politics and civil society, in which most or all citizens participate in politics directly.

pluralist democracy

A form of democracy in which political power rests with competing interest groups so that no one group dominates political decisions.

elite democracy

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

Federalist No. 10

An essay written by James Madison, arguing that a strong representative government would be able to control the effects of factions.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist essay that argued against a strong central government based on the belief that it would not be able to meet the needs of all US citizens.

Articles of Confederation

The first government system of the United States, which lasted from 1776 until 1789. The Articles placed most power in the hands of state governments.

Confederation Congress

The central government under the Articles of Confederation, composed of delegates chosen by state governments.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising of Revolutionary War veterans in Massachusetts demonstrating the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles.

Great Compromise

A major compromise at the Constitutional Convention that created a two-house legislature, with the Senate having equal representation for all states and the House of Representatives having representation proportional to state populations.

Electoral College

A body of representatives from every state in the United States who formally cast votes to elect the president and vice president.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a white person for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives.

checks and balances

Aspects of the Constitution require each branch of the federal government to gain the consent of the other two to act.

separation of powers

The aspect of the Constitution that ascribes different elements of power to different branches of the government, which act independently.

commerce clause

Part of Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

necessary and proper clause

Part of Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the power to create laws that they find 'necessary and proper' for performing their constitutional responsibilities.

enumerated powers

Powers of the federal government that are explicitly named in the Constitution.

implied powers

Powers of the federal government that are not explicitly named in the Constitution but are implied to carry out enumerated powers.

Tenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that stipulates that all powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Fourteenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment that grants citizenship, equal protection, and due process under the law to all people born in the United States.

Factions

Groups of people with shared interests that seek to influence political decision-making.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and individual states.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions of the government.

Amendment Process

The method by which changes can be made to the Constitution, requiring proposal and ratification.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and rights.

Due Process Clause

A clause in the Fourteenth Amendment that ensures fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

Separation of Church and State

The principle that government must remain neutral in religious matters and vice versa.

Political Socialization

The lifelong process by which individuals form their ideas about politics and acquire political values.

Interest Groups

Organizations of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence policymakers.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials, typically legislators or members of regulatory agencies.

Checks on Executive Power

Procedures and regulations that limit the power of the executive branch and ensure accountability.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights that protect citizens from government overreach and abuse.

Dual Federalism

A concept of federalism where responsibilities and powers are divided between national and state governments.

Judicial Activism

Judicial philosophy that advocates for the courts to take an active role in ensuring justice and protecting rights.

Majority Rule

The principle that the greater number of voters should exercise greater power in decision-making processes.

Minority Rights

The rights and protections afforded to individuals or groups that are not part of the dominant majority.

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights guarantees individual liberties and rights to protect citizens from government overreach.

What does 'separation of powers' mean in the context of the U.S. government?

Separation of powers refers to the division of government responsibilities into different branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

What is the main idea behind federalism?

Federalism is the distribution of power between a central government and individual states.

How does the Electoral College function?

The Electoral College is a body of representatives from each state that formally elects the president and vice president of the United States.

Why is Shays' Rebellion significant in U.S. history?

Shays' Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation and prompted calls for a stronger central government.

What role do interest groups play in the political process?

Interest groups aim to influence political decisions and policy-making to benefit their members' shared objectives.

What is judicial review?

Judicial review is the power of courts to assess whether a law or governmental action complies with the Constitution.

What is the significance of the necessary and proper clause?

The necessary and proper clause allows Congress to make laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

What is participatory democracy?

Participatory democracy emphasizes direct involvement of citizens in political processes and decision-making.

What are civil liberties?

Civil liberties are individual rights protected from governmental interference.