AP Government and Politics Unit 1 Review

Vocabulary

Natural Rights

Rights that all people are born with, such as life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

The idea that people give up some freedom to a government in exchange for protection of their rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The belief that government power comes from the consent of the governed (the people).

Republicanism

A political system where citizens elect representatives to make laws for them.

Limited Government

A government whose powers are restricted by law, usually through a constitution. 

Federalism

The division of power between the national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. 

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

Implied Powers

Powers not directly stated in the Constitution but suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause

Concurrent Powers

Powers are shared by both the federal and state governments.

Supremacy Clause

The part of the Constitution that says federal law is the “supreme law of the land.”

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations. 

Factions

Groups of people with shared interests or beliefs that can influence government (like political parties). 

Mandates

Orders from the federal government that states must follow, sometimes without funding.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the U.S. president, where each state’s votes are based on its number of representatives and senators. 

Block Grants

Federal Funds given to states for broad purposes, giving states flexibility in how to spend the money.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who introduced the ideas of natural rights and the social contract.

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution”; wrote many of the Federalist Papers; supported a strong central government.

Alexander Hamilton 

Federalist leader who supported a strong national government and created the national bank.

George Washington

First U.S. President; set many precedents and warned against political parties. 

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence; supported states’ rights and limited government. 

Brutus (Robert Yates)

Anti-Federalist writer who opposed the Constitution, fearing it gave too  much power to the federal government. 

What year was McCulloch v. Maryland

1819

What was the issue at hand in McCulloch v Maryland (1819)?

Could Maryland tax the national bank, and did Congress have the power to create one?

What was the ruling of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Congress can create a national bank (implied powers) and states can’t tax the federal government (Supremacy Clause).

What was the significance of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Strengthened federal power over the states. 

What year was U.S. v. Lopez?

1995

What was the issue at hand in U.S. v. Lopez (1995)?

Could Congress use the Commerce Clause to ban guns in school zones?

What was the ruling of U.S. v. Lopez (1995)?

No — having a gun near a school is not an economic activity.

What was the significance of U.S. v. Lopez (1995)?

Limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause and strengthened state powers. 

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Document written mainly by Thomas Jefferson declaring the colonies’ independence from Britain and stating that all men have natural rights. 

Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)

The first U.S. government; created a weak national government with most power in the states. 

Shay’s Rebellion (1786-1787)

A revolt by Massachusetts farmers against taxes and debt; showed the weaknesses of the AOC

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Meeting in Philadelphia where delegates wrote the U.S. Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation. 

Great Compromise (1787) 

Combined the Virginia and New Jersey Plans to create a bicameral legislature: House based on population, Senate with equal representation. 

Three-Fifths Compromise (1787)

Decided that 3/5 of enslaved people would count toward population for representation and taxation.

Ratification Debate (1787-1788)

Debate between Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and Anti-Federalists, who opposed it without a Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights (1791)

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution; guaranteed individual rights and limited government power.