Vocabulary Chapters 1-3

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

formal institutions through which a land and its people are ruled. American
political values of liberty, equality, and democracy.

Government expanded in the 1930’s.

Question 2

Politics

Answer 2

refers to conflicts and struggles over the leadership, structure, and policies of
government

Question 3

Trust in Government

Answer 3

today only 10% of the American people trust their government to do what
is right.

{In the 1960’s 75% of the people trusted the government. 1994- only 21% of the people}.

It is important for people to trust the government.

Question 4

Political Efficacy

Answer 4

belief that ordinary citizens can affect what the government does.

{2012-62% of Americans felt government does not care and in 1960 only 25%}

Question 5

Participation

Answer 5

people believe they can make a difference. Political indifference from a lack of knowledge.

Question 6

Autocracy

Answer 6

governed by a single individual king or dictator.

Example: King of Jordan.

Question 7

Oligarchy

Answer 7

small groups, landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants.

Example: Russia

Question 8

Democracy

Answer 8

citizens play a significant part in the governmental process.

Example: we vote

Question 9

Constitutional Government

Answer 9

limits are placed on the power of government.

{Example: Latin America, Asia, and Africa the government is kept in check by political and social institutions}

Question 10

Authoritarian Government

Answer 10

no formal limits but restrained by the power of other social institutions.

Example: Cuba, China, Iran.

Question 11

Totalitarian Governments

Answer 11

controls all political, economic, and social life.

Example: North Korea.

Question 12

Representative Democracy

Answer 12

citizens vote directly on laws and policies. Often called a direct democracy.

Question 13

Political Culture

Answer 13

emphasizes the values of liberty, equality, and democracy

Question 14

Liberty

Answer 14

both personal and economic freedoms. Linked to limited government.

Question 15

Limited Government

Answer 15

powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

{First 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights, above all preserve individual personal liberties and rights. Such as: free speech, assembly, religious beliefs}.

Question 16

Equality of Opportunity

Answer 16

each person should be given a fair chance to go as far as his or her talents will allow.

Question 17

Political Equality

Answer 17

members of the American political community have the right to participate in politics on equal terms.

{One person, one vote}

{2012 only 60% of citizens voted}

Question 18

Majority rule, minority rights

Answer 18

government follows the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority

Question 19

Interests and Conflicts

Answer 19

five sectors of society had interests that were important in colonial politics:

1. New England Merchants
2. Southern Planters
3. Royalists- holders of royal lands and offices
4. Shopkeepers, artisans, and laborers
5. Small Farmers

These groups were in conflict over issues of taxation, trade, and commerce.

{British tax and trade policies split the colonial
elite}

Question 20

British Taxes and Colonial Interests

Answer 20

(French and Indian War)- In the 1760’s, Britain sought to impose new modest taxes on the colonists.
The British issued the Stamp Act and Sugar Act of 1764.
{New England Merchants and Southern Planters most effected}
{Boston Tea Party}

Question 21

Declaration of Independence

Answer 21

written by Thomas Jefferson- a statement of American Independence from British rule.

Question 22

Articles of Confederation

Answer 22

America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789. Too weak to protect a new nation.

Question 23

Confederation

Answer 23

relationship between the national government and the states.

Question 24

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 24

led a mob of farmers in rebellion against the government of Massachusetts.

{Attempted to capture the federal arsenal at Spring field}.

Question 25

Virginia Plan-(House)

Answer 25

System of representation in the national legislature based on population.

{Edmund Randolph – large states}

Question 26

New Jersey Plan- (Senate)

Answer 26

equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population.
{William Patterson- Smaller states-Delaware, New Jersey, New York}

Question 27

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Answer 27

House of Representatives- would be based on
the population of each state. Senate- would have equal representation regardless of the size.
10. Three- Fifths Compromise- every slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person for
congressional seats.

Question 28

Checks and Balances

Answer 28

each branch of government can influence the other branches.

Constitutional Convention 1787- James Madison.

{Veto power of the president, Senate to approve presidential appointments, and Judicial review}.

Power balances power

Question 29

Electoral College

Answer 29

electors from each state cast their ballots for president and vice president.

{Harrison v. Cleveland 1888, Hay v. Tilden 1876, Al Gore v. George Bush 2000, Clinton v. Trump
2016}. {Andrew Jackson v. John Adams 1824}

Question 30

Bill of Rights

Answer 30

first 10 amendments of the constitution.

{Ratified in 1791: ensure certain rights and liberties to the people}

Question 31

Separation of Powers

Answer 31

A. Legislative Branch- Article I
Senate power to ratify treatises and approve presidential appointments;
House-power to make laws, collect taxes, borrow money, declare war.

B. Executive Branch- Article II
Veto power, power to recognize other countries, negotiate treaties, convene congress in special session, pardons.

C. Judicial Branch- Article III
Supreme Court-power to resolve any conflicts that might emerge between federal and state laws. Montesquieu – power must be used to balance power.

Question 32

Expressed Powers

Answer 32

Constitution grants only those powers specifically expressed in its text.

Question 33

Elastic Clause

Answer 33

congress has the authority to make all laws necessary and proper.

Question 34

Judicial Review

Answer 34

final decision when there is a conflict of interpretation of the constitution.

Question 35

Supremacy Clause

Answer 35

national law is the law of the land.

Question 36

Federalist Papers

Answer 36

essay’s supporting ratification of the constitution.
{Alex Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay}

Question 37

Amendment

Answer 37

Four ways to change the constitution. We have only used one.
House and Senate pass by 2/3 vote;
then ratification of 3/4 of the states. (38)
What makes the constitution timeless is the ability to amend it.
Only 27 amendments.

Question 38

Farmers included three limitations in the constitution:

Answer 38

1. Separation of powers
2. Federalism
3. The Bill of Rights

Question 39

Federalism

Answer 39

division of power between the national government and the state government.

{State governments have significant independent power to set policy such as: education, social program, and impose taxes}{Framers sought to limit the national government}

Question 40

Implied Powers

Answer 40

enables congress “to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper”

Question 41

Reserved Powers or Tenth Amendment

Answer 41

framers sought to preserve a strong role for the states.
{Power to develop and enforce criminal codes, administer health and safety rules, regulate
marriage and divorce laws, regulate doctors, lawyers, plumbers, barbers}

Question 42

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Answer 42

each state is expected to honor the “public acts, records, and judicial proceedings” that take place in any other state.
{Example: Same-Sex Marriage}

Question 43

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Answer 43

states cannot discriminate against someone from another state or give special privileges to its own residents.

Question 44

Home Rule

Answer 44

power delegated by the state to local government to manage its own affairs.

Question 45

Dual Federalism

Answer 45

government powers were shared between the Federal and State government.

{What the Framers of the Constitution intended}

Question 46

Commerce Clause

Answer 46

congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, states, and Indian tribes.

{Filburn V. Wickard}

{Seeds for expansion of national government}

Question 47

States’ Rights

Answer 47

States do not have to submit to national laws whenever they believe the national
government had exceeded its authority.

{Wallace at the University of Alabama}

Question 48

New Deal

Answer 48

federal government finance public works to aid the economy and put people back to work.

Question 49

Grants-in-Aide

Answer 49

congress appropriates money to state and local governments on the condition that the money be spent for a particular purpose.

New Federalism under Nixon and Reagan.

{Example: Mississippi – Summer feeding programs}

Question 50

Unfunded Mandates

Answer 50

imposed costs on states and local governments for which they are not reimbursed by the Federal Government.

{Example: No child left behind}