Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy Flashcards
Studying purposes for Unit 1 Test and AP Exam
Who are the four important Enlightenment philosophers, and what are their important beliefs?
- Thomas Hobbes; a governed state is best for society, population will sacrifice some rights
- John Locke; natural rights and consent of the governed
- Jean-Jacque Rousseau; popular sovereignty, “people have the authority”
- Baron de Montesquieu; limited government, republicanism, and separated powers
Define “REPUBLICANISM.”
Citizens of sovereign states shall elect their leaders
Define “REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY.”
Government with which people entrust elected officials to act in your interest
What was the Declaration of Independence, and who should you remember in relation to it?
- The Declaration of Independence was authored by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin
- Signed July 4th, 1776 and provided moral and legal reasoning to remove the 13 colonies from Great Britain
What is the United States Constitution, and who should you remember in relation to it?
- The US Constitution was authored by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington
- Created blueprint for 3 branches of government
Define the differences between “PARTICIPATORY,” “PLURALIST,” and “ELITE” democracy.
- Participatory; involvement of citizens in politics
- Pluralist; people with interests making groups or factions
- Elite; representatives act as trustees for the people
What are the characteristics of federalists versus anti-federalists? Beliefs? Important contributors? Documents?
- Federalists; a strong central government will prevent factions from overpowering government; Federalist No. 10; James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
- Anti-federalists; a strong central government will trample people’s liberties; Brutus No. 1; Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Thomas Jefferson
What were the Articles of Confederation, and what were its weaknesses?
- “League of leadership among states, one branch, congress had limited power
- Inability to tax, no court system, no currencies, no military, no trade regulation, each state has one vote
What was the importance of Shay’s Rebellion?
Showcased the inability of the federal government to stop riots
What was the Great Compromise?
VA Plan, NJ Plan; Bicameral Legislature, House of Representatives and Senate
What was the 3/5 Compromise?
3/5 of each slave would count as population total, pivotal for electoral votes
What is the Electoral College?
Electing a president through states, which decide how to choose electors; # of electors = each states congress representatives
What is the Commerce Clause?
Gives federal government power to regulate trade and set tariffs
What is included in Article V of the Constitution?
Constitution can be amended; 2/3 vote to approve in Congress, 3/4 vote by state legislatures
What was the USA Patriot Act?
- Passed in response to 9/11 terrorist attacks
- Allowed government to legally tap phones of suspected terrorists
- Disproportionately targets Muslim communities
What is the No Child Left Behind Act?
- Sanctioned underperforming schools based on federal standards
- States determine standards that must be federally approved
Define the differences between the EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, and JUDICIAL branches.
- Executive; POTUS & VPOTUS, federal agencies, carries out nation’s laws
- Legislative; 100 senators and 435 HoR, makes laws, participates in committees
- Judicial; SCOTUS, lower appeals, trials, judicial review
What are checks and balances?
The ability of the branches of government to keep the other branches from overstepping their constitutional power; vetos, congressional suggestions, impeachment, etc.
Define “FEDERALISM.”
The sharing of power between federal and state governments
What is the Supremacy Clause?
National power is above state powers but is limited to enumerated powers
Define “EXCLUSIVE POWERS.”
AKA delegated powers; federal powers, military, foreign diplomacy, currency, commerce
Define “RESERVED POWERS.”
State powers, education, marriage, health and safety, policing
Define “CONCURRENT POWERS.”
Powers shared between federal and state governments, taxes, courts, lands
Define “FEDERAL GRANT.”
Addressing national issues with free federal dollars; Grant-in Aid Programs, “Power of the Purse”
What is the difference between a categorical grant and a block grant?
A categorical grant is money allotted by the government for a specific cause; a block grant is money allotted by the government for a broader cause
What is a mandate grant?
Money for states to comply with federal mandates
Which Constitutional documents ensure federal power?
- Article 1, Section 8; Enumerated powers, Commerce Clause, Elastic Clause
- Section 9; What Congress can’t do
- Section 10; What Congress Can Do
Which Constitutional documents ensure state power?
- 10th Amendment; Any powers not listed in Articles 1-3 belong to the states
- 14th Amendment; requires states to protect immunities granted by other states; Equal Protection Clause, states cannot deny protection of laws
What is the Commerce Clause?
Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states and with foreign nations; Article 1, Section 8
What are enumerated powers?
Powers that are specifically granted in Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution
What were the Federalist Papers?
Group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution
What are implied powers?
Those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out Congress’ enumerated powers, and are granted to Congress through the “elastic” clause
What is judicial review?
Power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and actions; established during Marbury v. Madison
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
AKA “Elastic Clause”; it states that congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary” and “proper” to protect citizens
Define “POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.”
Principle in which ultimate political authority resides with the people
What is a unitary system?
System of government in which all power is invested in a central government
What was the importance of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Established the use of judicial review in federal courts
What was the importance of Lopez v. United States (1995)?
Limited congressional powers of the Commerce Clause, something that hadn’t ever been done; claimed that allowing Congress to categorize any activity as commerce would give Congress unlimited power
What was the importance of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
SCOTUS ruled that Congress has implied powers as listed in Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution; Necessary and Proper Clause
What is the importance of Federalist No. 10?
This argues that a stronger central government would be able to suppress factions and listen to a broader variety of opinions
What is the importance of Brutus No. 1?
This states that a stronger central government would suppress civil liberties
