AP US Government Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, documents, compromises, and constitutional principles from Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy.

Natural rights

The democratic ideal that all people have certain rights that cannot be taken away.

Social contract

An implicit agreement among the people in a society to give up some freedoms to maintain social order.

Popular sovereignty

The democratic ideal that all government power comes from the consent of its people.

Limited government

A principle where a government's power cannot be absolute, ensured by separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and republicanism.

Declaration of Independence

Document drafted by Thomas Jefferson (with help from Adams and Franklin) that restates the philosophy of natural rights and provides a foundation for popular sovereignty.

U.S. Constitution

Document drafted by James Madison at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia led by George Washington (with contributions from Hamilton and the 'Grand Committee') that serves as a social contract and establishes a system of limited government.

Participatory democracy

A model of representative democracy that emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society.

Pluralist democracy

A model of representative democracy that emphasizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making.

Elite democracy

A model of representative democracy that emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society.

Federalists

Group that supported ratification of the Constitution and a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Group that opposed the ratification of the Constitution and wanted more power reserved to state governments rather than a strong central government.

Federalist No. 10

Essay in which James Madison argued for the superiority of a large republic in controlling the 'mischiefs of faction,' delegating authority to elected representatives, and dispersing power between the states and national government.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist writing that adhered to popular democratic theory emphasizing the benefits of a small, decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized government.

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

Key structural deficiencies including lack of centralized military power to address Shays' Rebellion, lack of an executive branch, lack of a national court system, lack of power to regulate interstate commerce, and lack of exclusive power to coin money.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Agreement that created a dual (bicameral) system of congressional representation with the House of Representatives based on state population and the Senate representing each state equally.

Electoral College

System created for electing the president by electors from each state rather than by popular vote or by congressional vote.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Formula for calculating a state's enslaved population for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation.

Article V

Section of the Constitution detailing an amendment process that entails either a two-thirds vote in both houses or a proposal from two-thirds of the state legislatures, with final ratification determined by three-fourths of the states.

Federalist No. 51

Essay explaining how constitutional provisions of separation of powers and checks and balances control potential abuses by majorities.

Impeachment

The process in which the House of Representatives formally charges an official with abuse of power or misconduct.

Removal

The outcome if an official is convicted in a Senate impeachment trial.

Federalism

The system of government in the United States in which power is shared between the national and state governments.

Exclusive power

Power held by only one level of government, including enumerated powers written in the Constitution and implied powers inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated or enumerated to the national government but reserved to the states, as stated in the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent powers

Powers shared between both national and state levels of government, such as collecting taxes, making and enforcing laws, and building roads.

Revenue sharing

National funding provided to the states with almost no restrictions on its use; the least used form of funding.

Block grants

National funding with minimal restrictions to the states on its use, preferred by the states.

Categorical grants

National funding restricted to specific categories of expenditures, preferred by the national government, and the most commonly used form of funding.

Mandates

Requirements imposed by the national government on the states.

Fourteenth Amendment Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses

Constitutional clauses giving the national government the power to enforce protections for any person against the states.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision giving the national government the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Constitutional provision giving Congress the power to make laws related to carrying out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Constitutional provision giving the national government and its laws general precedence over states' laws.