How society decides who gets what, when, and how.

Citizens vote on everything themselves.

Indirect democracy / Representative democracy / Republic

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

Rights everyone is born with (life, liberty, property/happiness).

Political participation

Ways citizens get involved (vote, protest, join groups).

More people’s choice wins, but minorities still protected.

Belief in limited gov in economy, traditional values, law/order.

Belief in active gov in economy, protecting personal freedoms.

Belief in minimal gov, gov only stops people from harming others.

Belief that gov should support the common people vs elites.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution, weak central gov, couldn’t tax or regulate trade.

Farmers’ revolt → showed need for stronger government.

Declaration of Independence

Document justifying break from Britain, inspired by Locke.

Congress = Senate (equal) + House (population-based).

Three-fifths Compromise

Slaves count as 3/5 of a person for representation/taxes.

Government power comes from the people.

Gov must follow the law; can’t do whatever it wants.

3 branches (legislative, executive, judicial) share power.

Each branch can limit the others to prevent abuse.

Privileges & Immunities Clause

States must treat citizens from other states fairly.

Full Faith & Credit Clause

States must honor other states’ laws and court decisions.

Federal law > state law if there’s a conflict.

How the Constitution can be changed.

Supported Constitution, strong central gov.

Wanted more state power, feared tyranny, wanted Bill of Rights.

Power shared between national & state governments.

Powers listed in Constitution for federal gov.

Powers shared by federal & state govs (e.g., taxes).

Powers not given to federal gov go to states/people.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Federal gov can create bank, states cannot tax it.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can make laws needed to carry out powers.

Goods/services that benefit everyone and can’t exclude non-payers (air, streets, national security).

When a market transaction affects people not involved; can be positive (education) or negative (pollution).

One company dominates, reduces competition → gov may regulate.

Fairness; government steps in so everyone gets what they need, not just what they can pay for.

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American Government

American Government – Key Terms & Simple Definitions

Term	Definition
Politics	How society decides who gets what, when, and how.
Direct democracy	Citizens vote on everything themselves.
Indirect democracy / Representative democracy / Republic	Citizens elect representatives to make decisions.
Natural rights	Rights everyone is born with (life, liberty, property/happiness).
Political participation	Ways citizens get involved (vote, protest, join groups).
Majority rule	More people’s choice wins, but minorities still protected.
Conservatism	Belief in limited gov in economy, traditional values, law/order.
Liberalism	Belief in active gov in economy, protecting personal freedoms.
Libertarianism	Belief in minimal gov, gov only stops people from harming others.
Populism	Belief that gov should support the common people vs elites.
Articles of Confederation	First U.S. constitution, weak central gov, couldn’t tax or regulate trade.
Shays’ Rebellion	Farmers’ revolt → showed need for stronger government.
Declaration of Independence	Document justifying break from Britain, inspired by Locke.
Great Compromise	Congress = Senate (equal) + House (population-based).
Three-fifths Compromise	Slaves count as 3/5 of a person for representation/taxes.
Popular sovereignty	Government power comes from the people.
Limited government	Gov must follow the law; can’t do whatever it wants.
Separation of powers	3 branches (legislative, executive, judicial) share power.
Checks and balances	Each branch can limit the others to prevent abuse.
Privileges & Immunities Clause	States must treat citizens from other states fairly.
Full Faith & Credit Clause	States must honor other states’ laws and court decisions.
Supremacy Clause	Federal law > state law if there’s a conflict.
Amendment process	How the Constitution can be changed.
Federalists	Supported Constitution, strong central gov.
Anti-Federalists	Wanted more state power, feared tyranny, wanted Bill of Rights.
Federalism	Power shared between national & state governments.
Unitary government	Central gov has most power.
Confederacy	States have most power.
Enumerated powers	Powers listed in Constitution for federal gov.
Concurrent powers	Powers shared by federal & state govs (e.g., taxes).
Tenth Amendment	Powers not given to federal gov go to states/people.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)	Federal gov can create bank, states cannot tax it.
Necessary and Proper Clause	Congress can make laws needed to carry out powers.
Public goods	Goods/services that benefit everyone and can’t exclude non-payers (air, streets, national security).
Externalities	When a market transaction affects people not involved; can be positive (education) or negative (pollution).
Monopoly	One company dominates, reduces competition → gov may regulate.
Equity	Fairness; government steps in so everyone gets what they need, not just what they can pay for.

Created by: Cduq

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