Unit 1 (GOV)

homas Hobbes – Enlightenment thinker who believed in a strong central authority to avoid chaos.

Leviathan – Hobbes' book arguing that absolute monarchy is necessary for order.

Social Contract – The idea that people give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and stability.

John Locke – Philosopher who argued for natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Second Treatise on Civil Government – Locke’s work stating that governments must protect natural rights or be overthrown.

Charles de Montesquieu – Advocated for separation of powers in government.

De l'Esprit des Lois (The Spirit of the Laws) – Montesquieu’s book that promoted checks and balances.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Believed society corrupts people and advocated for direct democracy.

The Social Contract – Rousseau’s idea that a government should be based on the general will of the people.

Voltaire – Supported freedom of speech, religion, and criticized absolute monarchy.

Candide – Voltaire’s satirical novel attacking corruption and oppression.

Denis Diderot – Created the first Encyclopedia, spreading Enlightenment ideas.

Participatory Democracy – A system where citizens are actively involved in politics and decision-making.

Pluralist Democracy – A system where multiple groups influence government policy.

Elite Democracy – A system where a small, privileged group controls the government.

Representative Democracy – A system where officials are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people.

Popular Sovereignty – The principle that government power comes from the consent of the governed.

Articles of Confederation – The first U.S. government framework, which created a weak central government.

Federalism – A system where power is divided between national and state governments.

Northwest Ordinance – Established a process for admitting new states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Shays’ Rebellion – A 1786-1787 uprising that exposed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Constitution – The supreme law of the U.S. that replaced the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention – A 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where the Constitution was drafted.

Unicameral – A one-house legislature.

Bicameral – A two-house legislature, such as Congress.

Virginia Plan – Proposal for representation based on population; favored by large states.

New Jersey Plan – Proposal for equal representation for all states; favored by small states.

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise – Created a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise – Agreement that enslaved people would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Federalists – Supported a strong national government and the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists – Opposed the Constitution, fearing government power; demanded a Bill of Rights.

The Federalist Papers – Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting the Constitution.

Bill of Rights – The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual liberties.

Electoral College – The system used to elect the U.S. president, where states’ votes are based on population.

Legislative Branch – The branch of government that makes laws (Congress).

Executive Branch – The branch of government that enforces laws (President).

Judicial Branch – The branch of government that interprets laws (Supreme Court).

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) – Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers.

Executive Orders – Presidential directives that have the force of law without congressional approval.

Executive Agreements – Agreements between the president and other nations that bypass Senate approval.

Judicial Review – The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison).

Confederation – A system where states have more power than the central government.

Delegated (Enumerated) Powers – Powers given to the federal government, like coining money and declaring war.

Reserved Powers – Powers given to the states, such as education and issuing licenses.

Tenth Amendment – Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.

Categorical Grants – Federal funds provided to states for specific purposes with strict guidelines.

Block Grants – Federal funds given to states for general purposes with fewer restrictions.

Separation of Powers – Divides government responsibilities into three branches to prevent tyranny.

Checks and Balances – A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the others.

Veto – The president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Overriding a Veto – Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses.

Amendments – Official changes or additions to the Constitution.

Ratify – To formally approve an amendment or treaty.

Ratifying Convention – A special state meeting to approve constitutional amendments.

Governor – The elected leader of a state government.

Pardons – The president’s or governor’s power to forgive a crime.

Reprieves – A delay or cancellation of a punishment.

Gubernatorial Veto – A governor’s power to reject state legislation.

Line-Item Veto – The power of a governor to reject specific parts of a bill without vetoing the entire law.

Supremacy Clause – Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Commerce Clause – Grants Congress power to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.

Full Faith and Credit Clause – Requires states to recognize the legal documents and judicial rulings of other states.

Extradition – The process of returning a suspect to the state where the crime was committed.

Impeachment – The process of charging a government official with wrongdoing.

Writ of Habeas Corpus – Protects against unlawful imprisonment.

Bill of Attainder – A law that declares a person guilty without a trial (unconstitutional).

Ex Post Facto Law – A law that punishes actions retroactively (unconstitutional).

Dual Federalism – A system where state and national governments operate independently in their own areas.

Cooperative Federalism – A system where national and state governments work together on policy.

Fiscal Federalism – The use of financial incentives to influence state policies.

Devolution – The transfer of power from the federal government to state governments.

McCulloch v. Maryland – Supreme Court case that strengthened federal power by ruling states couldn’t tax the national bank.

United States v. Lopez – Supreme Court case that limited Congress’s use of the commerce clause.

Enumerated Powers – Specific powers listed in the Constitution for the federal government.

Implied Powers – Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary to carry out enumerated powers.