FOUNDATIONS OF GOVERNMENT
This concept refers to basic rights such as life, liberty, and property.
What are Natural Rights (pg. 9)
This early U.S. governing document created a weak national government.
What are the Articles of Confederation? (pg. 26)
This principle divides power between national and state governments.
What is federalism? (Pp. 42-67)
This clause allows Congress to regulate trade between states.
What is the commerce clause? (pg. 68)
This amendment reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states.
What is the Tenth Amendment? (pg. 68)
This agreement among people to form a government and give up some freedoms for protection.
What is the social contract? (pg. 9)
This 1780s rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles.
What is Shays’ Rebellion? (pg. 29)
This principle splits power among three branches of government.
What is separation of powers? (Pg. 41)
This clause gives Congress the power to make laws needed to carry out its duties.
What is the necessary and proper clause? (pg. 68)
This process applies Bill of Rights protections to the states.
What is selective incorporation? (pg. 75)
The belief that government authority comes from the people.
What is popular sovereignty? (pg. 9)
This agreement created a bicameral legislature combining population and equal representation.
What is the Great (Connecticut) Compromise? (Pg.35)
This system allows each branch to limit the powers of the others.
What are checks and balances? (Pg. 42)
This type of power is not written explicitly but inferred from the Constitution.
What are implied powers? (pg.67)
This type of federalism involves shared responsibilities between levels of government.
What is cooperative federalism? (pg.75)
A system in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions. (p. 9)
What is republicanism?
This compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise? (Pg. 37)
These powers are specifically listed in the Constitution.
What are enumerated (expressed) powers? (p. 43 / p. 67)
This clause establishes that federal law is supreme over state law.
What is the supremacy clause? (pg. 68)
Federal funds given for specific purposes with conditions attached.
What are categorical grants? (pg.79)
Shared beliefs and values about government and politics in a society.
What is political culture? (pg.9)
This 1787 meeting produced the U.S. Constitution.
What is the Constitutional Convention? (Pg. 33)
This structure divides Congress into two chambers.
What is bicameralism? (Pg. 35)
Powers shared by both state and national governments.
What are concurrent powers? (pg. 68)
The return of power from the federal government to the states.
What is devolution? (pg.81)