American Government Clep Study Guide

Early Immigration -->Western and northern Europe. Second Wave -->Immigrants from southern and eastern Europe; before and after World War II Recent Immigration -->Large numbers of people from Latin America and Asia Machine Politics -->an organizational style of local politics in which party bosses traded jobs, money, and favors for votes and campaign support Liberty -->Freedom for people to do what they want Limited government -->places relatively few restrictions on it's citizens' freedom. Laissez-faire capitalism -->government that places relatively few restrictions on its citizens' freedom Equality -->treated the same as everyone else Political equality -->equality in political decision making: one vote per person, with all votes counted equally Equality of opportunity -->Giving people an equal chance to succeed. Popular Sovereignty -->rule by the people Majority Rule -->the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group Tyranny of the majority -->majority would ignore the basic rights of the minority Individualism -->a belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self- reliance and personal independence Rugged individualism -->the willingness of individuals to stand along and struggle long and hard to survive and prosper Conformism -->trying to be like everyone else Unity -->the quality of being united into one Diversity -->difference, variety Multiculturalism -->embrace diversity and learn about others cultures government -->is viewed as a necessary evil Political efficacy -->belief that one's actions can make a difference in govt. and that the govt. listens to normal, everyday people American exceptional-ism -->the idea that the U.S. differs from the rest of the world Divine Providences -->The idea that America has been chosen by God to be a beacon to the world. Just principles -->Unlike most states, the US was founded on ideas and principles, not by conquest Geography and resources -->The great wealth of resources and relative isolation of the US for much of it's history has made America unique among most other countries in the world Diversity -->American mix of cultures and traditions is the source of American strength. Founding Fathers -->Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamiton, John Adoms, James Madison Constitution -->rules that determines how power will be used legitimately in a state Declaration of Independence -->1776; all men are created equal Inalienable right -->a right that all people in the world have that no one can take away Congress achieved -->Negotiating and signing the Treaty of Paris (1783) to end revolutionary war Congress achieved -->Passing the Northwest Ordinances (1787) to create a system for admitting new states to the union Shay's Rebellion -->Heavy taxes and big debt, showed how weak the Natl. Govt. was. Constitutional (Philadelphia) Convention -->created an entirely new stronger natl. govt. Annapolis Convention -->called Congress to make the Articles to make Congress stronger Framers -->wealthier and better educated than the average American Virginia Plan -->based on population to represent