AP GOVERNMENT VOCAB

Question 1

Natural rights

Answer 1

Fundamental rights that individuals posses inherently, such as life, liberty, and property.

Question 2

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 2

The idea that the power of government comes from the people who have the ultimate authority in democracy

Question 3

Republicanism

Answer 3

A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf rather than a direct democracy.

Question 4

Social Contract

Answer 4

An implicit agreement in which people give up some individual freedoms in exchange for protection and benefits provided by a government

Question 5

Limited Government

Answer 5

A government whose powers are restricted by a constitution or laws to protect citizens rights

Question 6

Declaration of Independance

Answer 6

A document declaring the 13 American colonies independence from British rule, adopted on July 4, 1776.

Question 7

Philidelphia Convention

Answer 7

Also known as the Constitutional Convention, a meeting in 1787 where delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution.

Question 8

Participatory democracy

Answer 8

A system in which citizens actively participate in decision-making processes and government.

Question 9

Pluralist democracy

Answer 9

A democracy where various interest groups and organizations compete to influence government policies.

Question 10

Elite democracy

Answer 10

A form of democracy where a small, privileged group holds significant influence over government decisions.

Question 11

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 11

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by American farmers protesting economic hardships and the lack of government support.

Question 12

Federalist

Answer 12

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution and a strong federal government.

Question 13

Anti-Federalist

Answer 13

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution, concerned about a strong central government.

Question 14

Federalist 10

Answer 14

An essay by James Madison arguing for the benefits of a large republic in addressing the problems of factionalism

Question 15

Brutus I

Answer 15

An essay by James Madison emphasizing the importance of checks and balances in government.

Question 16

Federalist 51

Answer 16

An Anti-Federalist essay opposing the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on concerns about centralized power.

Question 17

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Answer 17

A compromise at the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House.

Question 18

Electoral College

Answer 18

The system used in the U.S. to elect the President, where electors from each state vote for the President based on the state’s popular vote.

Question 19

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 19

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Question 20

Importation (slavery) compromise

Answer 20

A clause in the Constitution allowing the importation of enslaved people to continue for a limited time.

Question 21

Article V of Constitution (process)

Answer 21

The part of the Constitution that outlines the process for amending or changing the Constitution.

Question 22

Separation of poweres

Answer 22

The division of government into branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) with distinct roles and powers

Question 23

Checks and balances

Answer 23

The system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Question 24

Federalism

Answer 24

A system of government where power is divided between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments.

Question 25

Exclusive Powers

Answer 25

Powers reserved solely for the federal government.

Question 26

Reserved Powers

Answer 26

Powers reserved exclusively for state governments.

Question 27

Concurrent Powers

Answer 27

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Question 28

Categorical grants

Answer 28

Federal funds given to states for specific purposes, with strict guidelines on how the money must be used.

Question 29

Revenue sharing

Answer 29

A system where the federal government provides money to states with fewer restrictions on how it’s spent.

Question 30

Block grants

Answer 30

Federal funds given to states for more general purposes, allowing states more flexibility in how they use the money.

Question 31

Mandates (unfunded)

Answer 31

Federal requirements imposed on states without providing the necessary funding.

Question 32

Commerce clause

Answer 32

A clause in the Constitution giving Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Question 33

Due Process Clause

Answer 33

A constitutional guarantee that individuals cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures.

Question 34

Equal Protection Clause

Answer 34

A constitutional guarantee that all citizens are treated equally under the law.

Question 35

Supremcy Clause

Answer 35

A constitutional provision that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Question 36

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 36

A clause that gives Congress the authority to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.