Ap exam foundational documents and laws Flashcards

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1
Q

The declaration of independence

A

The Declaration of Independence, created by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776,
declares the British Colonies in North America to be a free and independent country. Authored
by Thomas Jefferson and others, the Declaration of Independence relies heavily on the
concepts of Natural Rights, Popular Sovereignty, and Social Contract Theory

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2
Q

what are natural rights?

A

Natural rights are inherent rights that are believed to be necessary for all humans and include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are protected by the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, which enshrines individual freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press

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3
Q

what is popular sovereignty

A

Popular sovereignty is a concept that by nature the power to govern is in the hands of the people. The democratic government is BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE

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4
Q

what is the social contract theory

A

The social contract theory is the theory that people willingly give over to the state the power needed to maintain order, and the state, in turn, agrees to protect its citizens. (the state is the servant of the people and not the other way around)

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5
Q

what is republicism

A

Republicanism is a form of government in which the power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

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6
Q

What are the articles of confederation?

A
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7
Q

what powers did the AOC create

A

one branch government (congress), equal representation from each state in congress, all laws must be passed with a super majority 3/4, Congress has the power to create a national currency, borrow money in the name of the
United States, declare war, raise an army, and establish relations with foreign countries

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8
Q

what did the articles of confederation not have

A

an executive branch, a national judiciary, the power to tax, the power to compel states to obey national laws or contribute funding, any power that was not “expressly delegated” or specifically written in the articles

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9
Q

what was shays rebellion

A

Shays’ Rebellion was an uprising of farmers in western Massachusetts to protest economic conditions, high taxes, and abusive debt and tax collections.

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10
Q

what did shays rebellion reveal

A

Shays’s Rebellion exposed the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation and led many—including George Washington—to call for strengthening the federal government in order to put down future uprisings.

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11
Q

what was the Philadelphia convention also known as the constitutional convention of 1787

A

This convention was called to revise the AOC. However, the convention soon abandoned the articles, drafting a new constitution with a much stronger national government

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12
Q

what was the grand committee

A

a committee at the Constitutional Convention that worked out the compromise on representation (the issue of how to apportion representatives in the national legislature)

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13
Q

what was the Virginia plan

A

this was a plan proposed by the large states that created congress to have tow houses both based on population

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14
Q

what was the New jersey plan

A

this plan was proposed by the small states, and created Congress with one house based on equal representation from each state.

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15
Q

what was the Connecticut Compromise also known as the Great Compromise

A

this compromise created a bicameral, or two-house legislature, with the House of Representatives being based on population and the Senate being based on equal representation from each state.

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16
Q

what was the 3/4 compromise

A

when the constitution was created it was during a time of slavery so when determining representation of black people they came to the compromise that they would count as 3/4 of a person

17
Q

what are the 3 different types of democracy

A

participatory democracy, elite democracy, and pluralist democracy

18
Q

what is participatory democracy

A

this type of democracy emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society (people vote on laws directly not through representatives)

19
Q

what is an initiative

A

The initiative process allows citizens to collect signatures to place a new statute or constitutional amendment on the ballot.

20
Q

what is a referendum

A

The referendum process, also called a veto referendum or citizen’s veto, allows citizens to collect signatures to ask voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law.

21
Q

what is elite democracy

A

Elite democracy/elitism favors allowing the best educated and most qualified members of
society to govern in the best interests of the country. This system favors having a small group of the best-informed people to govern. (like the electoral college)

22
Q

what is pluralist democracy

A

pluralist democracy is group-based activism by nongovernmental interest which work to impact political decision making (like interest groups)

23
Q

The constitution and these forms of democracy

A

elite model - constitution provides for elected representatives that legislate on behalf of the people
pluralist model - in order to get a law passed various interests both states and otherwise have to compromise to get it done
participatory model - separation of power between the federal government and the state governments

24
Q

what is the Madisonian model

A

1) prevent tyranny of the majority (prevent major control, only the people elect reps)
2)separation of powers and checks & balances (created 3 branches and a way for these to check on each other)
3)establishing a federal system (created national and state governments)
- this model was proposed by James Madison

25
Q

what is the separation of powers

A

this separates the national government into 3 branches the judicial, legislative, and executive branches

26
Q

what are checks and balances

A

these are created between each of the branches as a way to ensure not one of them is given enough power to take over

27
Q

what are the checks on the judicial branch

A

Executive - the president nominates judges
Legislative - the senate confirms the presidents nominees, congress can impeach judges and remove the from office

28
Q

what are the checks on the legislative branch

A

executive - the president can veto congressional legislation
judiciary - the court can declare laws unconstitutional

29
Q

what are the checks on the executive branch

A

legislative - congress approves presidential nominees, control the budget, overide a veto with enough votes, and can impeach and remove a president from office
judicial - the court can declare presidential acts unconstitutional

30
Q

what are enumerated powers

A

these are powers that are strictly stated in the constitution

31
Q

what are implied powers

A

implied powers are not specifically stated in the Constitution but may be inferred from the Necessary and Proper clause

32
Q

constitutional structure

A

The Constitution is divided into 7 articles

33
Q

article 1

A

Article 1 gives Congress its powers and limits. Congress is the branch of the government who can make laws for the country. Article 1 also creates the two sections of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

34
Q

what powers are given to congress

A

The powers of Congress are enumerated in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. Among these
are the powers to:
* tax
* regulate commerce
* regulate immigration
* coin money and regulate the value thereof
* create the post office
* create patents
* create all courts below the Supreme Court
* declare war
* create the army
* create the navy
* directly govern Washington, DC
* make all laws necessary and proper to execute their enumerated powers

35
Q

article 2

A

Article II created the executive branch and the presidency.

36
Q

requirements of the president

A

To be president a person must be a natural born citizen of the United States and at least 35
years of age.

37
Q

roles of the president

A