AP Gov Unit 1 Part 2 Vocab

New Jersey Plan

Sovereignty of states, limited and defined powers of national legislature.

Three-fifths Compromise

Only three of every five enslaved persons would be counted to determine representation.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, favoring large states.

Checks and Balances

The ability of each branch to respond to the actions of the other branches.

Federalist 51

James Madison essay arguing that checks, balances, and separation of powers are necessary to prevent tyranny.

Separation of Powers

An act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies.

Block Grants

Federal money given for broad purposes with more state flexibility (e.g., community development).

Categorical Grants

Federal money given for a specific, narrowly defined purpose (e.g., school lunches, highways).

Exclusive Powers

Powers that are delegated only to the federal government

Federalism

System where power is divided between national and state governments.

Federal Grants

Money given by the federal government to state/local governments.

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements imposed on states without providing funds to carry them out (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act).

Supremacy Clause

The part of Article VI of the Constitution that establishes the US Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the "supreme Law of the Land"

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native American tribes

Dual Federalism/Layer-cake Federalism

Clear separation of powers between federal and state governments (dominant in early U.S. history).

Elastic Clause/Necessary and Proper Clause

Federal and state governments share responsibilities and powers (expansion during New Deal).

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution (mainly Article I, Section 8).

Implied Powers

Powers not listed but derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out enumerated powers.

McCulloh v. Maryland

Established implied powers (via Necessary and Proper Clause) and federal supremacy (states can’t tax the national bank).

United States v. Lopez

Limited federal power by ruling that Congress had exceeded the Commerce Clause when banning guns near schools.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both state and federal governments (e.g., taxation, law enforcement).

Cooperative Federalism/Marble-cake Federalism

Federal and state governments share responsibilities and powers (expansion during New Deal).