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Ap Government Unit 1 Flashcards

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15140153374Elite-Class TheoryA belief that certain groups hold disproportionate power in a political system0
15140153375Pluralist TheoryA theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Because many groups compete, there is not an elite group that dominates. Compromise is common.1
15140153376Articles of Confederation1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade) Each state retained sovereignty, the ability to act independently of the Confederation. Each state had equal representation in a unicameral (single house) legislature.2
15140153377Shays' rebellionRebellion led by farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.3
15140153378Checks and BalancesA system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power4
15140153379Separation of powersA way of dividing the power of government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branch to prevent tyranny.5
15140153380Popular sovereigntyA government in which the people rule by their own consent.6
15140153381BicameralA legislature consisting of two parts, or houses with separate rules7
15140153382FederalistsThose who favored a stronger national government and weaker state governments. Supported the ratification of the Constitution.8
15140153383Anti-FederalistThose who favored strong state governments and a weaker national government. Advocated for a bill of rights to formally address individual and state rights. Concerned about the concentration of power in a central government under the Constitution.9
15140153384FederalismA system of government in which power and responsibilty is divided between the federal and state governments10
15140153385Supremacy clauseArticle VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits. (ex. McCulloch v. Maryland)11
15140153386Virginia PlanInitial proposal at the Constitutional Convention made by the Virginia delegation for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature dominated by the big states.12
15140153387New Jersey PlanProposal at the Constitutional Convention made by William Paterson of New Jersey for a central government with a single-house legislature in which each state would be represented equally.13
15140153388Connecticut or Great CompromiseCompromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators.14
15140153389Republican DemocracyFormat chosen by Founding Fathers. People vote for representatives who then make laws. People do not vote directly on legislation.15
15140153390Three fifths clauseslave counted as 3/5 of a person for population counts to determine how many representatives.16
15140153391Federalist PapersA collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.17
15140153392Bill of RightsA formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1-10. Satisfied Anti-federalist concerns.18
15140153393Elastic clauseAKA the "Necessary and Proper Clause" Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution. Has allowed the federal government to expand its power over time.19
15140153394Commerce clauseThe clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) that gives Congress the power to regulate all business activities that cross state lines or affect more than one state or other nations. Has helped the Federal government expand its power over time- including the regulation of the environment and civil rights.20
15140153395Concurrent powersPowers held jointly by the national and state governments. For example, the powers to tax, pass laws and borrow funds21
15140153396cooperative federalismA system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. Often referred to as "marble cake"22
15140153397Dual FederalismA system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies.23
15140153398Expressed Powers/Enumerated powersPowers the Constitution specifically granted to one of the branches of the national government. Listed explicitly in the Constitution. Ex: right to coin money, declare war, regulate foreign and interstate trade, tax, etc.24
15140153399Implied powersPowers not specifically mentioned in the constitution; Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions. Has Constitutional basis in Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause25
15140153400Inherent powerspowers that exist for the national government because the government is sovereign. Ex: The Louisiana Purchase26
15140153401Reserved Powersbelong to the states and the people; Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states. Granted by the 10th Amendment. For example, regulating voting and administering elections at the state level.27
15140153402Unitary SystemA government that gives all key powers to the national or central government28
15140153403Block grantsFederal money given to the states with limited spending guidelines. Allows the states power to decide how to spend funds within relatively loose guidelines. Ex: funds for transportation and state chooses how to allocate.29
15140153404Categorical GrantsFederal money given to the states with specific spending guidelines. Gives the federal government the power to decide how funds are spent within the state. Ex: funds for highway repairs, cannot be used for other purposes.30
15140153405DevolutionThe transfer of power from a high level political office to a lower level; central government to regional, state, or local governments. Example-Welfare Reform Act of 199631
15140153406The 10th AmendmentReserves powers to the states. Has been used successfully by the states to get the federal courts to strike down federal laws that violate this principle.32
15140153407federal mandateAn order given by the federal government that states must follow and pay for33
15140153408formula grantType of categorical grant that is usually based on a state's population34
15140153409Intrastate commerceCommerce WITHIN A STATE commercial activity regulated at the state level35
15140153410Interstate commerceCommerce between different states, can be regulated by Congress.36
15140153411Full Faith and Credit Clauserequires state courts to enforce that civil judgments of the courts of other states and accept their public records and acts as valid.37
15140153412fiscal federalismproject grants, formula grants, block grants are all examples of38
15140153413extraditionprocess of returning a fugitive from justice to the state in which the crime occured39
15140153414exclusive powersPowers that only the national government have40
15140153415privileges and immunities clauseprevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.41
15140153416project granttype of categorical grant which requires a competitive application process42
15140153417Federalist Paper #10Written by James Madison to convince people to support the ratification of the Constitution. Argued that factions were inevitable but were best controlled by a large republic that employed a Federalist structure. Argued that competition among factions would limit their negative impacts.43
15140153418McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)The court ruled that the states did not have the power to tax the national bank. Used the backing of the Supremacy Clause to argue that states could not interfere with legitimate federal laws44
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AP Language and Composistion: Vocabulary Set 1 Flashcards

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14674993913allusionAn indirect reference to something (usually a literary text, although it can be other things commonly known, such as plays, songs, historical events) with which the reader is supposed to be familiar.0
14675012124antecedentThe word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP Language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences. "If I could command the wealth of the world by lifting my finger, I would not pay such a price for it." An AP question may read: "What is the antecedent for 'it'?"1
14681663668dictionWord choice, particularly as an element of style.2
14681670223colloquialOrdinary or familiar type of conversation. A "colloquialism" is a common or familiar type of saying, similar to an adage or an aphorism"3
14681686528connotationRather than the dictionary definition (denotation), the associations suggested by a word. Implied meaning rather than literal meaning. Ex: "House" vs. "Home"4
14681700426denotationThe literal, explicit meaning of a word, without its connotations.5
14681710535didaticA term used to describe fiction, nonfiction or poetry that teaches a specific lesson or moral or provides a model of correct behavior or thinking.6
14681721584allegoryA story, fictional or non fictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, and events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth. "Animal Farm", by George Orwell.7
14681745806aphorismA terse statement which expresses a general truth or moral principle. It can be a memorable summation of the author's point. Ben Franklin wrote many of these in "Poor Richard's Almanac", such as "God helps them help themselves," and "A watched pot never boils."8
14681767845euphemisma more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept. Ex: "physically challenged" vs "crippled"9
14681778941figurative languageIt is the opposite of "Literal Language." It is not to be taken literally. Ex: Hyperbole10
14681789687analogyIt is a comparison of one pair of variables to a parallel set of variables. Ex: "America is to the world as the hippo is to the jungle."11
14681808182hyperboleextreme exaggeration. Ex: "My mother will kill me if I am late."12
14681816818metaphorMaking an implied comparison, not using like or as. Ex: "My feet are popsicles."13
14681827271extended metaphorA metaphor developed at great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work. An elaborate this is called a conceit.14
14681839666synesthesiaA description involving a "crossing of the senses." Examples: "A purplish scent filled the room." "I was defeated by his brightly-colored clothing."15
14682349503imageryWord or words that create a picture in the reader's mind. Usually involves the five senses. Authors often use it in conjunction with metaphors, similes, or figures of speech.16
14682349504invectiveA long, emotionally violent, attack using strong, abusive language.17
14682349505ironywhen the opposite of what you expect to happen does. Ex: Verbal Irony18
14682349506parallellismSentence consruction which places equal grammatical constructions near each other, or repeats identical grammatical patterns. Ex: "Cinderella swept the floor, dusted the mantle, and beat the rugs."19
14682349507parodyAn exaggerated imitation of a serious work for humorous purposes. It burrows words or phrases from an original, and pokes fun at it. This is also a form of allusion. Ex: Satuday Night Live parodies famous persons and events.20
14682349508alliterationThe repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words. Ex: "Sally sells sea shells."21
14682349509rhetoricThe art of effective communication.22
14682349510satireA work that reveals a critical attitude toward some element of life to a humorous effect. It targets human vices and follies, or social institutions and conventions. Good satire usually has three layers: serious on the surface; humorous when you discover that it is satire instead of reality; and serious when you discern the underlying point of the author.23
14682349511clauseA grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb.24
14682349512subordinate clauseIt cannot stand alone as a sentence and must be accompanied by an independent clause. Ex: "Other than baseball, football is my favorite sport." In this sentence, the independent clause is "football is my favorite sport." And the dependent clause is "Other than baseball."25
14682349513styleThe choices in diction, tone, and syntax that a writer makes. It may be conscious or unconscious.26
14682349514symbolismAnything that represents or stands for something else. It it is usually used for something more concrete such as an object, actions, character... that represents something more abstract. Ex: the Whale in Moby Dick.27
14682349515syntaxGrammatical arrangement of words.28
14682349516themeThe central idea of a message of a work. It may be directly stated in nonfiction works, although not necessarily. It it is rarely stated directly in fiction.29
14682349517thesisThe sentence or group of sentences that directly expresses the author's opinion, purpose, meaning, or proposition. It should be short and clear.30
14682349518toneA writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter revealed through diction, figurative language, and organization. To identify tone, consider how the piece would sound if read aloud.31
14682349519litotesA particular form of understatement, generated by denying the opposite of the statement which otherwise would be used. Ex: "Hitting the telephone pole certainly did not do your car any good."32
14682349520ambiguityThe multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage.33
14682349521ApostropheA figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love. Ex: when Macbeth speaks to the dagger.34
14682349522atmosphereThe emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting and partly by the author's choice of objects that are described.35
14682349523figure of speechA device used to produce figurative language. Many compare dissimilar things. Ex: apostrophe36
14682349524generic conventionsThis term describes traditions for each genre. These conventions help to define each genre; for example, they differentiate an essay and journalistic writing or an autobiography and political writing. On the AP language exam, try to distinguish the unique features of a writer's work from those dictated by convention.37
14682349525homilyThis term literally means "sermon," but more informally, it can include any serious talk, speech, or lecture involving moral or spiritual advice.38
14682349526inferenceto draw a reasonable conclusion from the information presented.39
14682349527paradoxA statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. Ex: Less is more.40
14682349528pedanticAn adjective that describes words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.41
14682349529point of viewIn literature, the perspective from which a story is told. There are two general divisions of point of view, and many subdivisions within those. (1) first person narrator tells the story with the first person pronoun, "I," and is a character in the story. This narrator can be the protagonist, a secondary character, or an observing character. (2) third person narrator relates the events with the third person pronouns, "he," "she," and "it." There are two main subdivisions to be aware of: a. third person omniscient, in which the narrator, with godlike knowledge, presents the thoughts and actions of any or all characters b. third person limited omniscient, in which the narrator presents the feelings and thoughts of only one character, presenting only the actions of all the remaining characters. In addition, be aware that the term point of view carries an additional meaning. When you are asked to analyze the author's point of view, the appropriate point for you to address is the author's attitude.42
14682349530proseOne of the major divisions of genre, prose refers to fiction and nonfiction, including all its forms. In prose the printer determines the length of the line; in poetry, the poet determines the length of the line.43
14682349531rhetorical modesThis flexible term describes the variety, the conventions, and the purposes of the major kinds of writing.44
146823495321. Expositionto explain and analyze information by presenting an idea, relevant evidence, and appropriate discussion.45
146823495332. ArgumentationIt is to prove the validity of an idea, or point of view, by presenting sound reasoning, discussion, and argument that thoroughly convince the reader.46
146823495343. DescriptionIt is to recreate, invent, or visually, present a person, place, event or action so that the reader can picture that being described.47
146823495354. NarrationIt is to tell a story or narrate an event or series of events.48
14682349536semanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, their historical and psychological development, their connotations, and their relation to one another.49
14682349537subject complementThe word (with any accompanying phrases) or clause that follows a linking verb and complements, or completes, the subject of the sentence by either (1) renaming it (the predicate nominative) or (2) describing it (the predicate adjective). These are defined below: (1) the predicate nominative - a noun, group of nouns, or noun clause that renames the subject. It, like the predicate adjective, follows a linking verb and is located in the predicate of the sentence.50
14682349538syllogismFrom the Greek for "reckoning together," it (or syllogistic reasoning or syllogistic logic) is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises (the first one called "major" and the second called "minor") that inevitably lead to a sound conclusion. A frequently cited example proceeds as follows: major premise: All men are mortal. minor premise: Socrates is a man. conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is a mortal. A syllogism's conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. Syllogisms may also present the specific idea first ("Socrates") and the general second ("all men"). Adapted from V. Stevenson, Patrick Henry High School, and Abrams' Glossary of Literary Terms51
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