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 first government, 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 brough 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