Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

AP Government > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Government Basics flashcards AP® U.S. Government flashcards American Government 101 flashcards
1
Q

Natural Rights Theory

A

The theory that people are born with certain “natural rights.” No government can deny these rights.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Limited Government

A

In this type of government everyone, including all authority figures, must obey laws. Constitutions, statements of rights, or other laws define the limits of those in power so they cannot take advantage of the elected, appointed, or inherited positions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Separation of Powers

A

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Checks and Balances

A

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Consent of the governed

A

Agreement by citizens to obey the laws and the government they create. Consent is the foundation of government’s legitimacy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Judicial Review

A

Review by a court of law of actions of a government official or entity or of some other legally appointed person or body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Marbury v. Madison

A

This case establishes the Supreme Court’s power of Judicial Review

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Articles of Confederation

A

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Shay’s Rebellion

A

A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

New Jersey Plan

A

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Virginia Plan

A

“Large state” proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Great (Connecticut) Comprimise

A

Plan to have a popularly elected House based on State population and a state selected Senate, with two members for each State

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A

A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Bill of Attainder

A

A legislative act finding a person guilty of treason or felony without a trial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Ex Post Facto Law

A

A law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Federalists

A

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Anti-Federalists

A

They opposed the Constitution’s powerful centralized government, arguing that the Constitution gave too much political, economic, and military control. They instead advocated a decentralized governmental structure that granted most power to the states

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Republic

A

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Ratify

A

Sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Amendment

A

A new provision in the Constitution that has been ratified by the states.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

unitary system

A

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

confederate system

A

system of government in which nations or states agree to join together under a central government, to which the nations or states grant certain powers. The United States had a confederate system of government under the Articles of Confederation, from 1781 to 1789.

23
Q

federal system

A

A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments

24
Q

intergovernmental relations

A

The workings of the federal system- the entire set of interactions among national, state, and local governments

25
Q

diversity of policy

A

Representation at the state level; difficult for national government to pass laws that work for everyone

26
Q

decentralization of policy

A

power is spread of power away from the center to local branches of governments

27
Q

supremacy clause

A

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

28
Q

full faith and credit clause

A

Constitution’s requirement that each State accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State.

29
Q

tenth amendment

A

Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states

30
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland

A

(JMon) McCulloch, Maryland was trying to tax the national bank and Supreme Court ruled that federal law was stronger than the state law

31
Q

expressed powers

A

Powers directly stated in the Constitution

32
Q

concurrent powers

A

Powers of government exercised independently by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax.

33
Q

implied powers

A

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

34
Q

elastic clause

A

Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers of the Constitution.

35
Q

Gibbons v. Ogden

A

(JMon) interstate commerce, In this Marshall Court case, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a state monopoly and reaffirmed Congress’ power to oversee commerce between states. Of all the cases that have interpreted the scope of congressional power under the commerce clause, none has been more important than this “steamboat case.” The case established a basic precedent because it paved the way for later federal regulation of transportation, communication, buying and selling, and manufacturing. Today, little economic activity remains outside the regulatory power of Congress.
 

36
Q

commerce power

A

Exclusive power of Congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade

37
Q

extradition

A

the legal process by which a fugitive from justice in one State is returned to that state, A legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.

38
Q

priviliges and immunities

A

Special rights and exceptions provided by law. States may not discriminate against one another’s citizens.

39
Q

dual federalism

A

A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.

40
Q

cooperative federalism

A

A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly.

41
Q

creative federalism

A

During the Great Society, the marble cake approach of intergovernmental relations.

42
Q

fiscal federalism

A

The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government’s relations with state and local governments.

43
Q

devolution

A

An effort to shirft responsibility of domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size &activites of the fed. govt; some states have attempted to shift responsibilities further to local govts

44
Q

funded mandate

A

Those regulations passed by Congress or issued by regulatory agencies to the states with federal funds to support them.

45
Q

unfunded mandate

A

Federal laws that require the states to do things without providing the money to do so. Examples: ADA (wheelchair ramps), NCLB (testing)

46
Q

preemption

A

A doctrine under which certain federal laws preempt, or take precedence over, conflicting state or local laws.

47
Q

revenue sharing

A

A law providing for the distribution of a fixed amount or share of federal tax revenues to the states for spending on almost any government purpose.

48
Q

block grants

A

Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services

49
Q

categorical grants

A

Federal grants for specific purposes, such as building an airport

50
Q

project grants

A

Federal categorical grants given for specific purposes and awarded on the basis of the merits of applications

51
Q

formula grants

A

Federal categorical grants distributed according to a formula specified in legislation or in administrative regulations.

52
Q

intergovernmental lobby

A

An interest group made up of mayors, governors, and other state and local officials who depend on federal funds

53
Q

motor voter act of 1993

A

Signed into law by President Clinton, it enables people to register to vote at motor vehicle departments.

54
Q

no child left behind act

A

Federal law enacted in January 2002 that introduced new accountability measures for elementary and secondary schools in all states that wish to receive federal aid.

AP Government (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions