Unit 1 Vocab

Question 1

Direct (Participatory) Democracy

Answer 1

A government in which the people govern themselves and individually vote on matters of policy.

Question 2

Indirect (Representative) Democracy

Answer 2

A model of democracy in which the people are represented by leaders they elected.

Question 3

Elite Democracy

Answer 3

Model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy or have a large share of influence, control political decisions.

Question 4

Pluralist View/Pluralism

Answer 4

The belief that effective public policy is the result of competition among multiple different interests and groups.

Question 5

Natural Rights

Answer 5

Rights inherent to all people that are not dependent upon the government.

Question 6

Articles of Confederation

Answer 6

The constitution that administered America’s firstgovernment, which was characterized by a loose league of friendship between states
and a weak central government.

Question 7

Constitutional Convention

Answer 7

Meeting of delegates in 1787 that was initially called to revise the Articles of Confederation, but ultimately led to the formation of the
nation’s current Constitution.

Question 8

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 8

An uprising that brought attention to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Question 9

Virginia Plan

Answer 9

Constitutional convention proposal to create a stronger national government with a bicameral legislature.

Question 10

New Jersey Plan

Answer 10

Constitutional convention proposal that maintained a unicameral legislature and was preferred by smaller states.

Question 11

Great Compromise

Answer 11

Agreement to have a popularly elected House based on state population and a state selected Senate, with equal membership for each state.

Question 12

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 12

Agreement that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of representation and taxation.

Question 13

Judicial Review

Answer 13

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Question 14

Social Contract

Answer 14

Agreement in which the government derives their power from the consent of the governed and in exchange, the people agree to limit their rights and participate in an ordered society.

Question 15

Federalism

Answer 15

System in which power is divided between national and state or local governments.

Question 16

Federalist Papers

Answer 16

A collection of essays/articles designed to rally support for the ratification of the Constitution.

Question 17

Faction

Answer 17

A group with distinct political interests; highlighted in Federalist #10.

Question 18

Federalists

Answer 18

Those citizens who favored a stronger national government and generally supported the ratification of the Constitution.

Question 19

Anti-Federalists

Answer 19

Those citizens who favored a weaker national government and generally opposed the ratification of the Constitution.

Question 20

Checks and Balances

Answer 20

Constitutional principle that grants each branch some ability to limit the authority of the other branches.

Question 21

Separation of Powers

Answer 21

The Constitutional principle that divides the powers of government into three distinct branches.

Question 22

Popular sovereignty

Answer 22

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Question 23

Bill of Rights

Answer 23

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

Question 24

Amendment

Answer 24

A new addition to the Constitution that has been proposed by Congress and ratified by the states.

Question 25

Writ of habeas corpus

Answer 25

An order to produce an arrested person before a judge so that reason may be given as to why that person is in custody.

Question 26

Limited Government

Answer 26

The government is restrained in their lawful use of power and may only exercise those powers assigned to it in the Constitution.

Question 27

Federalism

Answer 27

System in which power is divided between national and state or local governments.

Question 28

Enumerated/Expressed Powers

Answer 28

Powers written into the Constitution that have been given to the national government.

Question 29

Reserved Powers

Answer 29

Powers given to the state governments alone.

Question 30

Concurrent Powers

Answer 30

Powers shared by both the national and state governments.

Question 31

Implied Powers

Answer 31

Powers given to the federal government that have been reasonably inferred from the Constitution.

Question 32

“Necessary and proper” clause

Answer 32

Section of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass all laws essential to carrying out its expressed duties. This provision allows the national government to carry out implied powers.

Question 33

Nullification

Answer 33

The doctrine that a state can void a federal law that, in the state’s opinion, violates the Constitution.

Question 34

Commerce Clause

Answer 34

Constitutional provision that gives the federal government the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade.

Question 35

United States v. Lopez

Answer 35

Ruling that declared the national government’s power under the commerce clause does not permit it to regulate matters not directly related to interstate commerce; in this case, banning firearms in a school zone.

Question 36

McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 36

Ruling that declared the federal government had the power to establish a national bank under the “necessary and proper” clause.

Question 37

Unitary System

Answer 37

System in which power is centralized in one body. State or regional governments derive authority from the central government.

Question 38

Confederal/Confederate System

Answer 38

System in which power is held by a loose union of independent states. The central government is weak in relation to the power of the states.

Question 39

Initiative

Answer 39

Process that permits voters to put state legislative measures directly on the
ballot.

Question 40

Referendum

Answer 40

Procedure that allows voters to reject a measure passed by the state
legislature.

Question 41

Recall

Answer 41

Procedure whereby voters can remove an elected official from office.

Question 42

Federal Revenue Sharing

Answer 42

The distribution of a percentage of federal tax income to state and local governments.

Question 43

Categorical grants

Answer 43

Federal grants given to states for specific purposes, often with strings attached, such as building an airport or a highway.

Question 44

Block grants

Answer 44

Federal grants given to states for broader purposes, such as healthcare or education.

Question 45

Conditions of aid

Answer 45

Strings attached by the national government that states must meet if they are to receive certain federal funds.

Question 46

Mandates

Answer 46

Terms set by the national government that states are required to meet whether or not they accept federal grants.

Question 47

14th Amendment

Answer 47

This constitutional provision provides a guarantee of citizenship, as well as equal protection and due process, which have been the sources of incorporation for key protections in the Bill of Rights.

Question 48

10th Amendment

Answer 48

Provision that states all powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved for the states.