AP Gov exam Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

social contract

the people allowing the government to rule over them

popular sovereignty

the government’s authority comes from the people

Think: sovereignty = authority & P in popular = people

republicanism

the government’s authority to govern comes from the people through representatives

limited government

the government only has so much power

natural rights

life, liberty, property, persuit of happiness (also brought up in the DOI)

Declaration of Independence of 1776

-declared the U.S. independent from Great Britian

-Wrote by Thomas Jefferson and others.

Articles of Confederation (AOC)

-1st U.S. “Constitution” written by second continental Congress

-Had many weaknesses

-led to creation of U.S. Constitution

Weaknesses of AOC

-no national judiciary

-difficulty amending; unanimous consent

-created a “league of friendship” between states

-lack of centralized military (Shay’s rebellion)

-Congress couldn’t tax

Shays rebellion

-Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices

-showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Strengths of the AOC

-establish framework of government

-resolved territorial disputes

The Constitutional Convention

-held to address the weaknesses of the AOC

Virginia Plan

Discussed at Constitutional Convention

-bicameral legislature

-proportional rep. (representation based on population

-larger states favored the plan (think: VA is larger than NJ size wise = larger states favored)

New Jersey Plan

Discussed at Constitutional Convention

-unicamerial legislature

-equal rep.

-smaller states favored the plan (think: NJ is smaller than VA size wise = smaller states favored)

The Great/Connecticut Compromise

mainly solved dispute/disagreements between VA and NJ plan: created a bicameral legislature with different kinds of representation (H.O.R= proportional and Senate = equal)

3/5 Compromise

Made at Constitutional Convention: said that slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

restricted Congress from banning the slave trade

U.S. Constitution

Official document of the U.S. created at the Constitutional Convention that outlines the framework of the government, establishing the three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, and includes the Bill of Rights

main parts of the Constitution

1. Preamble

2. 7 Articles

3. Bill of Rights

4. 27 amendments

Preamble

first section of the Constitution; talks about the purpose of the Constitution

7 Articles

l. establishes legislature

ll. goes over executive

lll. established judiciary

(hint for first 3: “L.E.J.”)

lV. establishes relations among states and the federal government

V. outlines the amendment process
VI. contains the supremacy clause (think: Six = Supremecy Clause)
VII. details ratification of the Constitution

participatory democracy

model/theory of democracy where it’s believed that public participation and engagement in decision-making is essential for a functioning democracy.

elite democracy

model/theory of democracy where it’s believed that a small number of elites hold power and make decisions on policymaking

pluralist democracy

model/theory of democracy where it is believed that multiple groups compete for power and influence in policymaking, representing diverse interests

federalism

system of government where power is divided/shared between state and national government

dual federalism

“layer cake” : state and national government have their own separate powers and don’t interfere with one another

Cooperative federalism

“marble cake” : state and national government share similar powers and policy assignments (they work together)

Enumerated/Exclusive powers

powers only and explicitly granted the national government

examples: national currency, regulation of interstate commerce, military, immigration control

Reserved powers

powers left for the states

examples: regulating intrastate commerce, local governments and corporations, public school systems,

Implied powers

powers not specifically listed in the Constitution, but national gov may still carry out if “necessary and proper”

Concurrent Powers

powers shared by both state and national governments

examples: levy taxes, creating courts, enacting and enforcing laws, banks

devolution

transfer of power from the federal government to the states

amending process

2/3 of both Houses of Congress have to propose a change to the Constitution, followed by ratification from 3/4 of all state legislatures.

Marbury v. Madison

a landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause

privileges and immunities clause

states cannot discriminate against people from other states

full faith and credit clause

requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

Commerce clause

grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes.

extradition

the process of returning a fugitive to the state where the crime was committed

(hint: think “expedition” —> the state is ending a criminals expedition)

fiscal federalism

the money and funding aspect of federalism

block grants

money the federal government gives to states; states get broad discretion on spending

categorical grants

money federal government gives to states; states get strict/ little discretion on spending

unfunded mandates

federal government does not provide the money for a specific task/assignment to be done

underfunded mandate

government provides some funding but not completely for a task/assignment to be done

project formula grants

money given to states for a specific purpose or project