Vocab Unit 1

Question 1

Direct (Participatory) Democracy

Answer 1

A form of democracy where the majority of the people decide on laws rather than elected representatives

Question 2

Indirect (Representative) Democracy

Answer 2

A form of democracy where elected representatives decide on laws for the people

Question 3

Elite Democracy

Answer 3

A form of democracy where the elite and educated decide on laws for the people

Question 4

Pluralist View/ Pluralism

Answer 4

A type of society that believes that all of their people should be able to express their different beliefs freely

Question 5

Natural Rights

Answer 5

Rights that are not dependent on any culture or government (Universal rights)

Question 6

Articles of Confederation

Answer 6

The original constitution, before the US constitution

Question 7

Constitutional Convention

Answer 7

The convention that decided the US needed to rewrite the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution

Question 8

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 8

A rebellion to prevent citizens in debt from being imprisoned

Question 9

Virginia Plan

Answer 9

A proposed plan at the constitutional convention that outlined a government with three branches

Question 10

New Jersey Plan

Answer 10

A proposed plan at the constitutional convention that called for equal representation of all states

Question 11

Great Compromise

Answer 11

Established the United States would have two representatives in each state and states on a national level would have their amount of representatives based off population

Question 12

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 12

Three out of every five slaves would be counted as part of the population when determining representatives

Question 13

Judicial Review

Answer 13

The power of a court to rule any laws as unconstitutional

Question 14

Social Contract

Answer 14

An agreement between the government and the people to help each other fairly

Question 15

Federalism

Answer 15

A system of government where two levels of government control the same territory (National and state government)

Question 16

Federalist Papers

Answer 16

A collection of essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay that promote the ratification of the Constitution

Question 17

Faction

Answer 17

A small organized dissenting group within a larger one

Question 18

Federalists

Answer 18

A person who supports a system of government in which several states unites under one authority

Question 19

Anti-federalists

Answer 19

A person who opposed the ratification of the Constitution and the creation of a federal government

Question 20

Checks and Balances

Answer 20

Principle of government where there are multiple branches which keep each other in check

Question 21

Separation of Powers

Answer 21

An act that insures that the branches of a government keep their powers distinguished and separate

Question 22

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 22

A principle that the leaders of a government are created and sustained by the consent of the people

Question 23

Bill of Rights

Answer 23

The first ten amendments to the the Constitution

Question 24

Amendment

Answer 24

A minor change or addition to improve a text

Question 25

Writ of habeas corpus

Answer 25

An order that requires someone who detained another person to present their case to the court to determine the legality

Question 26

Limited Government

Answer 26

A political system where government bodies are prohibited from certain activities

Question 27

Enumerated/Expressed Powers

Answer 27

The powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution

Question 28

Reserved Powers

Answer 28

Laws that are not reserved for the federal government and can only be used by the state government

Question 29

Concurrent Powers

Answer 29

Powers that are shared by the federal and state governments

Question 30

Implied Powers

Answer 30

Powers that are given to the government that are not part of the Constitution

Question 31

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 31

Allows Congress to expand on the powers that are explicitly stated in the Constitution

Question 32

Nullification

Answer 32

The states right to deem a law passed by the federal government as unconstitutional

Question 33

Commerce Clause

Answer 33

A clause that forbids state government from dealing in foreign affairs

Question 34

United States v. Lopez

Answer 34

A legal case that ruled the gun-free school zones act unconstitutional

Question 35

McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer 35

A legal case that ruled the Second Bank of the United States could not be taxed by the state of Maryland

Question 36

Unitary System

Answer 36

A type of government where a single, national-level government has all power

Question 37

Confederal/Confederate System

Answer 37

A system of government for those who want state government to keep power and give only limited power to the national government

Question 38

Initiative

Answer 38

Allows citizens of the United States to vote for new or existing legislation

Question 39

Referendum

Answer 39

Allows citizens of the United States to vote for new or existing legislation

Question 40

Recall

Answer 40

Power reserved for the voters to demand the removal of the elected official

Question 41

Federal Revenue Sharing

Answer 41

The distribution of tax money to the state governments

Question 42

Categorical Grants

Answer 42

Federal funds given to local and state governments to be spent of specific programs or activities

Question 43

Block Grants

Answer 43

Federal funds given to the state government that can be used for anything

Question 44

Conditions-of-Aid

Answer 44

Terms set by the federal government that states must receive grant money

Question 45

Mandates

Answer 45

A requirement from the federal government that all state governments must follow

Question 46

14th Amendment

Answer 46

All American citizens are required to be given equal rights

Question 47

10th Amendment

Answer 47

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the state governments