AP Gov Chapter 2

Question 1

Articles of Confederation:

Answer 1

Sent to the states for ratification in 1777, these were the first attempt at a new American government. It was later decided that the articles restricted national government too much, and they replaced by the Constitution.

Question 2

Limited Government:

Answer 2

A Political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights.

Question 3

Monarchy:

Answer 3

A form of government in which power is held by a single person, or monarch, who comes to power through inheritance rather than election.

Question 4

Republicanism:

Answer 4

As understood by James Madison and the framers, the belief that a form of government in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best form of government. Our form of government is know as a republican democracy.

Question 5

“Consent of the Governed”:

Answer 5

The idea that government gains its legitimacy through regular elections in which people living under that government participates to elect their leaders.

Question 6

Natural Rights:

Answer 6

Also know as “unalienable rights”, the declaration of independence defines them as “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Founders believed that upholding these rights should be the government’s central purpose.

Question 7

Federalism:

Answer 7

Those at the constitutional Convention who favored a strong national government and a system of separated powers.

Question 8

Antifederalism:

Answer 8

Those at the Constitutional Convention who favored strong state governments and feared that a strong national government would be a threat to individual rights.

Question 9

Pluralism:

Answer 9

The idea that having a variety of parties and interests within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group possesses total control.

Question 10

Virginia Plan:

Answer 10

A plan proposed by the larger states during the Constitutional Convention proposed that based representation in the nation legislature on population. The plan also included a variety of other proposals to strengthen the national government.

Question 11

New Jersey Plan:

Answer 11

In response to the Virginia Plan, smaller states at the Constitutional Convention proposed that each state should receive equal representation in the national legislature, regardless of size.

Question 12

Great Compromise:

Answer 12

A compromise between the large and small states, proposed by Connecticut, in which Congress would have two houses: Senate with two legislators per state and a House of Representatives in which each state’s representation would be based on population (also known as the Connecticut Compromise).

Question 13

Reserved Powers:

Answer 13

As defined in the Tenth Amendment, powers that are not given to the national government by the Constitution, or not prohibited to the states, are reserved by the states or the people.

Question 14

National Supremacy Clause:

Answer 14

Party of Article VI, Section 2, of the Constitution stating that the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States are the “supreme Law of the Land,” meaning national laws take precedence over state laws if the two conflict.

Question 15

Three-Fifths Compromise:

Answer 15

The state’s’ decision during the Constitutional Convention to count each slave as three-fifths of a person in a state’s population for the purposes of determining the number of House members and the distribution of taxes.

Question 16

Bill of Rights:

Answer 16

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution; they protect individual rights and liberties.

Question 17

Necessary and Proper Clause:

Answer 17

Part of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws related to one of its expressed powers; also known as the elastic clause.

Question 18

Impeachment:

Answer 18

A negative or checking power over the other branches that allows congress to remove the president, vice president, or other “officers of the United States” (including federal judges) for abuses of power.

Question 19

Power of the Purse:

Answer 19

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding.

Question 20

Judicial Review:

Answer 20

The Supreme Court’s power to strike down a law or an executive branch action that it finds unconstitutional.

Question 21

Enumerated Powers:

Answer 21

Powers explicitly granted to congress, the president, or supreme court in the first three articles of the Constitution. Examples include Congress’s power to “raise and support armies” and the president’s power as commander in chief.

Question 22

Implied Powers:

Answer 22

Powers supported by the Constitution that are not expressly stated in it.