What is power in the context of government?
Power is wealth, knowledge, or strength used to influence others.
What does sovereignty mean in government?
Sovereignty is final authority over government decisions.
What limits governmental power in a constitutional government?
The Constitution limits governmental power in a constitutional government.
What does a constitutional government protect?
It protects people's rights.
What is democracy?
Democracy is majority rule where people hold political power.
What characterizes tyranny in government?
Tyranny is unrestrained and unfair government rule.
What happens when a government has too much power in tyranny?
The government exercises too much power unfairly and without restraint.
What was the first United States system of government during the Revolutionary War?
The Articles of Confederation.
What kind of government did the Articles of Confederation create?
A weak national government that gave most power to the states.
What is a confederation?
A group of states that cooperate while keeping most of their own power.
How does a confederation affect the national government's power?
It leaves the national government weaker.
What defines a unitary system of government?
Most power belongs to the national government rather than the states.
What is monarchy?
Rule by one person.
What is secession?
The claimed right of states to leave the union.
What did the Great Compromise create in Congress?
A House based on population and a Senate with two senators per state.
What did the New Jersey Plan propose about state votes in Congress?
Every state would have the same number of votes regardless of population.
What did the Virginia Plan propose about representation in Congress?
States with larger populations would have more representatives and votes.
What was the Compromise on Slavery about?
Counting three out of five enslaved people for representation and taxes.
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To fix the Articles of Confederation but it resulted in writing the Constitution.
What were the Federalist Papers written to do?
Convince people to support the Constitution and a stronger national government.
What did Anti-Federalists fear about the new federal government?
It would become too powerful.
What did Federalists argue would prevent abuse of power?
Constitutional checks and balances.
When does an amendment become part of the Constitution?
After it is proposed and approved by three-fourths of the states.
What is a bill of attainder?
A law that punishes a person or group without a trial.
What does an ex post facto law do?
Punishes someone for an action that was legal when committed.
What is Federalism?
A system dividing power between national and state governments.
What does Nullification mean?
States declaring acts of Congress unconstitutional.
What are Mandates?
Federal requirements that states must follow.
Which branch enforces laws?
The executive branch.
Which branch makes laws?
The legislative branch.
Which branch interprets laws?
The judicial branch.
What did McCulloch v. Maryland decide about federal powers?
Federal government has powers not directly in the Constitution.
What did McCulloch v. Maryland rule about states taxing the federal government?
States cannot tax the federal government.
What is state dependence on federal money?
States rely on federal funds to pay for programs and services.
What are grants-in-aid?
Federal money given to states to help pay for programs.
What is one argument for grants-in-aid?
They give the federal government greater financial resources to address larger problems.
What is one argument against grants-in-aid?
States may depend on federal money and lose freedom to make their own choices.
What is culture in a group of people?
Shared beliefs, values, traditions, customs, and behaviors.
Which values are included in American culture?
Freedom, equality, individualism, and democracy.
What was Shays's Rebellion a protest against?
High taxes and debt.
What did Shays's Rebellion demonstrate about the national government?
Its weakness under the Articles of Confederation.
What does Democracy in America mean for people's participation?
People participate by voting for leaders and representatives.
What does the evolution of federalism describe?
How the balance of power between federal and state governments has changed over time.
Test your knowledge with 22 questions on American Government Foundations.
1. Which description best defines political power?
2. What distinguishes sovereignty from power in government?
Review the complete course in the study sheet for American Government Foundations.
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