Unit 1 - Foundation of American Democracy

Question 1

Limited Government

Answer 1

Government powers are restricted by laws or a constitution.

Question 2

Natural Rights

Answer 2

Fundamental rights (life, liberty, property) all individuals have inherently.

Question 3

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 3

Power lies with the people; the government exists by the consent of the governed.

Question 4

Republicanism

Answer 4

A representative form of government where leaders are elected by citizens.

Question 5

Social Contract

Answer 5

Agreement between people and government where people give up some freedom for protection of rights.

Question 6

Participatory Democracy

Answer 6

Emphasizes broad participation in politics by citizens (e.g., town halls, referendums).

Question 7

Pluralist Democracy

Answer 7

Power is distributed among many competing interest groups.

Question 8

Elite Democracy

Answer 8

A small number of people, usually wealthy and well-educated, influence decision-making.

Question 9

Faction

Answer 9

A group with shared interests that may oppose the rights of others or the interests of the whole.

Question 10

Federalist

Answer 10

Supported the ratification of the Constitution; favored a strong central government.

Question 11

Anti-Federalist

Answer 11

Opposed ratification; favored strong state governments and a Bill of Rights.

Question 12

Federalism

Answer 12

Division of power between the national and state governments.

Question 13

Checks and Balances

Answer 13

Each branch of government can limit the powers of the others.

Question 14

Separation of Powers

Answer 14

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Question 15

Articles of Confederation

Answer 15

First U.S. government system; weak central government with no power to tax or regulate trade.

Question 16

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 16

Armed uprising that highlighted weaknesses of the Articles and led to the Constitutional Convention.

Question 17

Great Compromise

Answer 17

Created a bicameral legislature—House based on population, Senate with equal representation.

Question 18

Electoral College

Answer 18

System for electing the president where each state gets votes based on congressional representation.

Question 19

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 19

Counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Question 20

Amendment Process

Answer 20

The way the Constitution can be changed; proposed by 2/3 of Congress, ratified by 3/4 of states.

Question 21

Congress

Answer 21

Legislative branch; makes laws.

Question 22

The President

Answer 22

Executive branch; enforces laws.

Question 23

Federal Judiciary

Answer 23

Judicial branch; interprets laws.

Question 24

Concurrent Powers

Answer 24

Powers shared by national and state governments (e.g., taxing).

Question 25

Federal Revenue Sharing

Answer 25

Federal government provides money to states with or without conditions.

Question 26

Mandates

Answer 26

Requirements that states must follow (sometimes without funding).

Question 27

Categorical Grants

Answer 27

Federal funds for specific purposes (with strict rules).

Question 28

Block Grants

Answer 28

Federal funds given with broad guidelines, allowing states discretion.

Question 29

Tenth Amendment

Answer 29

Reserves powers not given to the federal government for the states/people.

Question 30

Fourteenth Amendment

Answer 30

Grants citizenship, equal protection under the law; used to apply Bill of Rights to states.

Question 31

Commerce Clause

Answer 31

Gives Congress power to regulate trade among states and with foreign nations.

Question 32

Necessary and Proper Clause

Answer 32

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers (Elastic Clause).

Question 33

Enumerated Powers

Answer 33

Powers specifically granted to the federal government in the Constitution.

Question 34

Implied Powers

Answer 34

Powers not explicitly listed but necessary to execute enumerated powers.