AP U.S. Government & Politics Review

AP U.S. Government & Politics Flashcards. Focus on Amendments, Civil Rights, Grants and Mandates, Constitutional Terms, Branches of Government, Court Cases, and Foundational Documents.

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy; due process.

6th Amendment

Right to a fair, speedy, and public trial; right to counsel.

8th Amendment

No cruel and unusual punishment.

10th Amendment

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

14th Amendment

Citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Voting rights for all men regardless of race.

17th Amendment

Direct election of senators.

19th Amendment

Women’s suffrage.

24th Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

26th Amendment

Voting rights for citizens 18 and older.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations and employment; enforced desegregation of schools.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Banned literacy tests and other discriminatory voting practices; allowed federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination.

Title IX (1972)

Prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life; an example of an unfunded mandate.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds provided for a specific purpose with detailed conditions (e.g., Head Start, highway funds with drinking age requirements).

Block Grants

Federal funds given for a broadly defined purpose with fewer restrictions (e.g., community development, education).

Mandates

Federal requirements that states must follow, often without funding (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act).

Unfunded Mandates

Federal laws requiring states to perform actions without providing money to fulfill them.

Virginia Plan

Proposal at the Constitutional Convention favoring large states; representation based on population in a bicameral legislature.

New Jersey Plan

Favored small states; proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Merged Virginia and New Jersey Plans; created a bicameral Congress with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement to count three out of every five enslaved persons for purposes of taxation and representation.

Republicanism

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Social Contract

The theory that people give up some freedom to a government in exchange for protection of rights.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between national and state governments.

Bicameral Legislature

A two-house legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

435 members, 2-year terms, represents districts based on population. More rules, limited debate (due to size).

Senate

100 members (2 per state), 6-year terms, represents states equally. Fewer rules, allows filibusters.

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer of the House, most powerful member, controls legislative agenda and committee assignments.

House Majority Leader

Assists the Speaker, helps plan party strategy.

House Minority Leader

Leader of the minority party in the House.

Senate Majority Leader

Most powerful figure in the Senate; sets legislative calendar and leads majority party.

President of the Senate

Vice President of the U.S.; casts tie-breaking votes.

President Pro Tempore

Presides over Senate in absence of VP; traditionally the longest-serving member of the majority party.

Whips (House & Senate)

Party enforcers who track votes and ensure party discipline.

Committee System

Specialized groups in Congress that handle specific areas (e.g., Armed Services, Ways and Means).

Standing Committees

Permanent committees responsible for legislation in specific areas.

Select Committees

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose.

Conference Committees

Members of both chambers reconcile differences in House and Senate versions of a bill.

Rules Committee (House)

Determines the rules of debate, time limits, and whether amendments can be added.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay or block legislation by talking indefinitely.

Cloture

Vote to end a filibuster; requires 60 senators.

Hold

A senator’s informal objection to a bill or nomination.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Government spending for localized projects secured to bring money to a representative’s district.

Logrolling

Trading votes among legislators to pass each other’s favored bills.

Incumbency Advantage

The electoral edge enjoyed by current officeholders.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire political beliefs and values, often influenced by family, media, and education.

Issue Networks

Loosely connected groups of experts, advocates, and policy makers that form around a specific policy issue.

Iron Triangles

The stable relationship among an interest group, congressional committee, and bureaucratic agency.

Discharge Petition

A mechanism in the House to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.

Writ of Certiorari

A formal request for the Supreme Court to hear a case.

Stare Decisis

The principle of respecting precedent in judicial rulings.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which portions of the Bill of Rights are applied to the states via the 14th Amendment.

Fiscal Federalism

The use of federal money (grants) to influence state policies.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet eligibility requirements (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).

Cloture

A Senate motion to end a filibuster, requiring 60 votes.

Logrolling

The practice of legislators exchanging votes to gain mutual benefits.

Pork Barrel Spending

Government spending for localized projects to bring money to a representative's district.

Gridlock

Inability to pass laws due to partisan conflict or divided government.

Incumbency Advantage

The electoral edge afforded to those already in office due to name recognition, fundraising ability, and established support.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

John Adams made last-minute “midnight appointments” before leaving office. Jefferson’s Secretary of State (Madison) refused to deliver them. Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. Strengthened the judicial branch.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Tension between state sovereignty and growing federal authority under the Constitution. Ruled that Congress had implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause. States cannot tax federal institutions due to the Supremacy Clause.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Congress had been using the Commerce Clause very broadly. This case marked a turning point. Ruled that Congress exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clause by banning guns in school zones. First case to limit federal power in decades.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Post-WWII America was religious, but public schools were expanding rapidly. Declared it unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer. Violates the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Tension between religious freedom and state education requirements. The Court held that Amish families could not be forced to send their children to school past 8th grade. Protected by the Free Exercise Clause.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War had their speech protected. Established that students do not lose their rights at school.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Upheld the Espionage Act; speech creating a “clear and present danger” (such as anti-draft leaflets during WWI) is not protected.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Incorporated the 6th Amendment right to counsel. States must provide attorneys to defendants who cannot afford one in felony cases.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Legalized abortion under the right to privacy derived from the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. Based on personal liberty.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Incorporated the 2nd Amendment to the states. Struck down a handgun ban in Chicago using the Due Process Clause.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson; racial segregation in public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech under the 1st Amendment. Led to rise of Super PACs.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established that redistricting issues are justiciable by the federal courts. Set the stage for “one person, one vote.”

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled that racial gerrymandering must be held to strict scrutiny. Race cannot be the dominant factor in redistricting.

Declaration of Independence

Written by Jefferson. Argues for natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty, and the right of revolution.

Articles of Confederation

America’s first constitution; created a weak central government that lacked taxing power and a standing army. Replaced by the Constitution.

Constitution of the United States

The supreme law of the U.S.; establishes a federal government with separation of powers and checks and balances. Includes the Bill of Rights.

Federalist No. 10 (Madison)

Warns about factions; argues a large republic will best control them. Supports a representative democracy over pure democracy.

Federalist No. 51 (Madison)

Argues for checks and balances and separation of powers to prevent tyranny. “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

Federalist No. 70 (Hamilton)

Defends the need for a single energetic executive. A strong president is essential for leadership and accountability.

Federalist No. 78 (Hamilton)

Justifies the life tenure for judges; calls the judiciary the “least dangerous branch.” Supports judicial review.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist paper warning that a large republic will lead to elite control and loss of liberty. Prefers strong state governments.

Letter from Birmingham Jail (MLK)

A defense of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. Argues that unjust laws must be broken and appeals to natural and constitutional rights.