AP Government Chapter 2 Flashcards

Key Terms in AP Government

• Constitution: Fundamental law of a state, consisting of written or unwritten principles that establish governance.

• Natural Rights: Inherent rights believed to be granted by God, essential for human progress and discoverable in nature and history.

• Declaration of Independence: Document from 1776 asserting the colonies' decision to separate from British rule.

• Articles of Confederation: The original charter for the United States government, in effect from 1776 to 1787 before the Constitution was adopted.

• Constitutional Convention 1787: Assembly of delegates in Philadelphia tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation.

• Pennsylvania Constitution: A highly democratic constitution noted for consolidating power and leading to potential tyranny.

• Massachusetts Constitution: Established clear separation of powers but created a government deemed too weak for effective governance.

• Shay's Rebellion: Armed uprising by Revolutionary War veterans in 1786 aimed at stopping property loss through court actions in Massachusetts.

• John Locke: Influential British philosopher advocating for civil government ideas that shaped Founding Father beliefs.

• Federalist Papers: Series of essays explaining Founders' ideas and advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, primarily published in New York newspapers.

• Virginia Plan: Proposed a government structure that favored larger states by allocating legislative representation based on population.

• New Jersey Plan: Suggested equal representation in Congress, offering each state one vote, irrespective of size.

• Great Compromise: Agreement for a bicameral legislature, blending population-based representation in one house with equal representation in the other.

• Separation of Powers: Constitutional principle dividing government roles among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

• Federalism: Division of power between national and state governments, ensuring both levels have authority over certain areas.

• James Madison: Key architect of the Constitution who cautioned against a government that is overly powerful despite its need to promote civic virtue.

• Charles A. Beard: Historian claiming the Founders' economic interests heavily influenced the Constitution's creation.

• Constitutional Convention 1787 Revision: A later assembly that sought to tweak the Articles of Confederation that had initially united the states.

• Checks and Balances: Mechanism ensuring that no branch of government can dominate the others, each can block the actions of the others.

• Republic: A system of government based on popular elections to choose representatives and leaders.

• Coalition: Temporary alliances formed by different groups or parties to achieve specific political objectives.

• Unalienable Rights: Rights considered inherent to all individuals, not granted by governments but rooted in nature and providence.

• Amendment: Process by which changes or additions can be made to the Constitution.

• Faction: A group with a common interest seeking to influence policy for mutual benefit.

• Judicial Review: The power of courts to invalidate legislative and executive actions as unconstitutional.

• Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual freedoms.

• Federalists: Supporters of a strong central government who promoted the Constitution's ratification and constituted a political party.

• Line-item Veto: Executive authority allowing the rejection of specific parts of appropriations bills while accepting others.

• Antifederalists: Critics of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments over a powerful national government.

• Bill of Attainder: An unconstitutional law that would declare an individual guilty without a trial.

• Ex Post Facto Law: Legislation making an act illegal after it has already been committed.

• Madison’s View: Belief that accommodating self-interest is a practical approach to governance, as opposed to fostering civic virtue.

• Confederation: A union of sovereign states that delegate limited powers to a central authority.

• Writ of Habeas Corpus: Legal order requiring officials to bring a detained individual before a court, justifying their detention.