Back to FlashcardsLaw / AP Government Amendments and Concepts Part 3
Gerrymandering
Tap or swipe ↕ to flip
Swipe ←→Navigate
1/25
Key Terms
Term
Definition
Gerrymandering
The drawing of district boundaries by the state legislature to benefit a party, group, or incumbents. Major types are political & racial.
Gibbons v Ogden
Commerce clause case (1824). Decision greatly enlarged Congress' interstate commerce clause power by broadly defining the meaning of 'commerce' to inc...
Grandfather Clause
Jim Crow era state laws that discouraged African Americans from voting by saying that if your grandpa couldn't vote, then neither can you. The newly-f...
Informal Amendment Process
Changing the meaning of the Constitution without changing the actual words (which requires a formal amendment through Article V process). Examples = S...
Initiative
Some states allow citizens to come up with their own ideas for laws to put on an election ballot. If the proposition passes it becomes a law. Requires...
Isolationism
Old as Washington, a belief that America should not seek to become engaged in foreign affairs.
Related Flashcard Decks
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Gerrymandering | The drawing of district boundaries by the state legislature to benefit a party, group, or incumbents. Major types are political & racial. |
Gibbons v Ogden | Commerce clause case (1824). Decision greatly enlarged Congress' interstate commerce clause power by broadly defining the meaning of 'commerce' to include virtually all types of economic activity. Pair with Lopez & Morrison cases (limiting commerce power). |
Grandfather Clause | Jim Crow era state laws that discouraged African Americans from voting by saying that if your grandpa couldn't vote, then neither can you. The newly-freed slaves grandpas couldn't vote, so neither could they. Declared unconstitutional in 1915. |
Informal Amendment Process | Changing the meaning of the Constitution without changing the actual words (which requires a formal amendment through Article V process). Examples = Supreme Court opinions, laws, traditions. |
Initiative | Some states allow citizens to come up with their own ideas for laws to put on an election ballot. If the proposition passes it becomes a law. Requires many voter signatures to get on the ballot. Most direct form of democracy (citizen law-making) |
Isolationism | Old as Washington, a belief that America should not seek to become engaged in foreign affairs. |
Jacksonian Democracy | The first major opening up of American suffrage (voting rights) by Jackson's new Democratic Party in 1830s. Franchise extended to all white men (not just rich white men). Achieved by state legislation not constitutional amendment. |
Jim Crow Era | Era in the South after Civil War (1865) until 1950s. African Americans were freed from slavery and could legally vote (Amendments 13, 14, 15) but were still subjected to discriminatory state laws enforcing segregation and kept from voting by laws (ex. poll taxes, literacy tests) and by violence (KKK) |
John Locke | Father of political liberalism (limited government to protect life liberty & property; right to revolt if government becomes a tyranny); he greatly influenced Jefferson & the Declaration of Independence. |
Joint Chiefs of Staff | One General from each of the 4 armed service branches (army, navy, air force, marines) and, since 1/2012, the National Guard. The JCS are key military advisors to the President. |
Defamation | False and malicious (mean) writings ('libel') or speech ('slander') about a living person. Not protected speech under 1st Amendment but check out NY Times v. Sullivan (very difficult for 'public figures' to prove defamation) |
Idealism (foreign policy) | Use American power to promote democracy and peace around the world. Associated with Woodrow Wilson & Jimmy Carter. (Compare with realism) |
Literacy Test | A method to deny blacks right to vote during the Jim Crow Era by requiring reading or civics test in order to vote. Could be selectively applied. Rationale: only the educated should vote. Prohibited by the Voting Rights Act of 1965. |
Logrolling | You support my bill, I'll support yours. Trading favors by legislators to help pass their bills. |
McCulloch v. Maryland (1824) | (1) CJ Marshall establishes doctrine of implied powers (Congress can create a national bank because it is necessary & proper to carrying out the enumerated power to coin money); (2) Supremacy clause prevents state (Maryland) from taxing the National Bank. Very important case enlarging power of federal government. |
Economic Liberalism | Belief in strong government intervention in the economy to promote stability & prosperity (example, Keynesian fiscal policy) |
NATO | North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Cold War military alliance (USA + Western Europe vs. USSR). |
Necessary and Proper Clause | Gives congress the power to do anything that is necessary and proper to carry out an enumerated power. Also known as the 'elastic clause.' Leads to implied powers doctrine (McCulloch v. Maryland) |
New Jersey Plan | Plan at Philadelphia Convention for equal representation in new Congress (1 state 1 vote). Also known as 'small state plan.' Opposite of the Virginia 'big state' Plan. Becomes basis of representation in the Senate. |
North American Free Trade Agreement | Free trade agreement among USA, Canada & Mexico. Goal = promote economic prosperity & cooperation. Easier perhaps to achieve at regional level than global level (World Trade Organization). |
Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act | 1883 reform law that replaced the patronage/spoils system in the federal bureaucracy with a merit-based professional system. 'Important' leadership positions in bureaucracy (Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors) & federal judges still appointed by president. |
Pocket Veto | If a bill is proposed within 10 days of congress adjourning and the president does not sign it, it will die (un-overrideable veto). |
Political Ideology | A more or less consistent set of beliefs about what policies government should pursue. |
Political Socialization | The process by which individuals acquire (absorb) a sense of political identity (beliefs & behaviors). Key agents of socialization include family, media, peers. Process can be informal (family) or formal (APGOPO) |
Poll Tax | Tax on voting. Used to discourage African Americans from voting during the Jim Crow era. Also used to exclude poor whites. Declared unconstitutional by 24th Amendment. |