AP Gov Exam - Unit 1 Review

1.1 Summary

Democracy itself originates from ancient Greece. Ideals of democracy in america were derived from European philosophers from the Enlightenment movement. These ideals were mentioned in the Declaration of Independence when America separated from Britain. As america began to form the founding fathers had a series of takes on democracy but ultimately settled on a Republic / representative democracy.

1.1 Breakdown | What was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority. It influenced the development of democratic principles and ideas about governance.

1.1 Summary

Democracy itself originates from ancient Greece. Ideals of democracy in america were derived from European philosophers from the Enlightenment movement. These ideals were mentioned in the Declaration of Independence when America separated from Britain. As america began to form the founding fathers had a series of takes on democracy but ultimately settled on a Republic / representative democracy.

1.1 Breakdown | What was the Enlightenment?

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority. It influenced the development of democratic principles and ideas about governance.

1.1 Breakdown | Ideals from Enlightenment: Natural Rights

Proposed by Enlightenment philosopher John Locke, emphasize that every individual is entitled to fundamental rights such as life, liberty, and property that must be protected by the government.

1.1 Breakdown | Ideals from Enlightenment: Popular Sovereignty

Ideal proposed by Jean Jacques Rousseau that the power to govern is derived from the people, not the government.

1.1 Breakdown | Ideals from Enlightenment: Social Contract

Proposed by thinkers like Hobbes and Rousseau, the government must protect individuals natural rights, if not the people have the right to overthrow the government. Vice Versa, if the people fail to obey the law, the government has the right take away their natural rights.

1.1 Breakdown | Ideals from Enlightenment: Republicanism

Proposed by Baron De Montesquieu, this ideal advocates for a system of government in which representatives are elected by the people to represent the desires of it’s people.

1.4 Foundational Documents: Old America | Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, created in 1781, which established a weak national government, and strong state governments.

Eventually replaced by the Constitution due to several weaknesses such as

• One branch of government; Unicameral legislature.

• All 13 states had agreed to pass amendments.

• No authority to raise and collect taxes.

• Leads to inability to pay soldiers and veterans.

• No national currency; each state had a different currency.

• Couldn’t raise an army.

1.4 Articles of Confederation | Shay’s Rebellion

A 1786 uprising in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays and other farmers who had fought in the revolution, protested the federal government who refused to forgive their debt and taxes.

The federal government was unable to send a national army to relieve the situation highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.

1.3 Debate | Fed 10 v. Brutus 1

Majority rule versus minority rights

1.3-4 Foundational Documents: Which Government is Better? | Federalist No. 10

This paper was written by James Madison and argues that in order to control factions and their effects on the political system, a large republic is necessary. He argues that removing the cause of factions opposes liberty, but creating a republic to control the “violence” of factions is the best solution. This paper is essential to understanding how the Constitution was structured.

1.3-4 Foundational Documents: Which Government is Better? | Brutus No. 1

This essay was written by an Anti-Federalist to argue against the ratification of the Constitution, claiming that a large centralized government would threaten state governments power. That America is too large to have representatives that didn’t cause corruption.

1.1 Constitution

When the constitution was formed at the Constitutional/Philadelphia Convention by the Grand Committee it was based on the ideals of Separation of Powers (3 branches of government) and Republicanism (electing representatives). James Madison was the main contributor since he was the one to propose the idea of a Republic / Representative democracy.

1.6 Constitution | Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. This ensures a system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

1.6 Constitution | Checks and Balances

Definition: A system of actions one branch can take to ensure another branch of government can prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Ex. Congress can impeach the president, Congress can make amendments, congress override a veto, court can rule law unconstitutional, president can veto a law, departments/agency don’t enforce a law.

1.5 How was the Constitution made?: Compromise | 3/5 Compromise

An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that allowed southern states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population for both representation and taxation purposes.

1.5 How was the Constitution made?: Compromise | Great / Connecticut Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, combining equal representation (NJ plan) for states in the Senate and proportional (Virginia plan) representation based on population in the House of Representatives.

1.5 How was the Constitution made?: Compromise | Electoral College

How should the President be elected?:

A body of electors established by the Constitution, responsible for formally electing the President and Vice President of the United States, by giving each state the amount of electors they have in congress.

1.5 Constitution | Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual liberties and rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms.

1.5 Constitution | Ratification Process

The amendment process from the articles of confederation was dang near impossible to achieve so they created a new one in article 5 in the constitution.
Step 1: Amendment can be proposed by Congress or special state conventions. 2/3 vote to pass on to the next stage of Ratification.
Step 2: Ratification requires approval from three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions.

1.1 Modern Day Government: The U.S. Constitution | Representative Republic

The form of government created by the U.S. Constitution in which elected officials represent the interests of the citizens, combining elements of democracy and republicanism, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

1.2 Types of Democracy | Direct Democracy

The old kind of democracy used by the ancient Greeks. In this system, meetings were held where citizens (men) directly contributed to decision-making and policy formation.

1.2 Types of Representative Democracy | Participatory Democracy

A form of representative democracy where citizens actively engage in political decision-making and policy formulation, often through direct involvement in initiatives (present law) and referendums (oppose law). Examples: protesting, calling senators.

1.2 Types of Representative Democracy | Pluralist Democracy

A form of representative democracy that emphasizes competing interest groups in shaping public policy and decision-making. In this system, power is distributed among various groups who advocate for their interests.

1.2 Types of Representative Democracy | Elite Democracy

A form of representative democracy where a small group of privileged (rich and highly educated) elites hold significant power in making decisions and shaping policy, often at the expense of broader citizen participation.

1.5 Constitution | Article 1

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Legislative Branch, outlining the structure, powers, and responsibilities of Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

1.5 Article 1 | Enumerated Powers (A1,S8)

• Lay and collect taxes

• Declare war

• Maintain a navy

• Borrow money

• Coin money

• Raise and support armies

• Regulate commerce

• Necessary & Proper Clause

1.5 Constitution | Article 2

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Executive Branch, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the President and the federal administration.

1.5 Article 2 | President Powers

Commander in Chief, Enforce laws, Pass laws

1.5 Constitution | Article 3

The section of the Constitution that establishes the Judicial Branch, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, including their role in interpreting laws and ensuring justice.

1.5 Constitution | Article 4

The section of the Constitution that addresses the relationships among the states, including the Full Faith and Credit Clause, Privileges and Immunities Clause, and the processes for admitting new states.

1.5 Article 4 | Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to give "full faith and credit" to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

1.5 Article 4 | Extradition clause: 

Requires states to surrender individuals who have fled from one state to another to face criminal charges.

1.5 Article 4 | Privileges and immunities clause:

Ensures citizens of each state are entitled to the same privileges and immunities as citizens of every other state.

1.5 Constitution | Article 5

The section of the Constitution that outlines the process for amending the Constitution, detailing how changes can be proposed and ratified.

1.5 Constitution | Article 6

The section of the Constitution that establishes the supremacy of federal laws over state laws (Supremacy), ensuring that judges in every state are bound by the Constitution, as well as addressing matters related to oaths of office and religious tests.

1.5 Constitution | Article 7

The section of the Constitution that outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution, requiring nine states to approve it for it to take effect.

1.6 Why SOP and C&B? | Federalist 51

Federalist 51 is an essay by James Madison that argues for the necessity of the separation of powers into 3 branches, checks and balances, and federalism in government to prevent corruption. Madison emphasizes that each branch should be independent and have the means to resist encroachments on its powers.

1.7 Federalism

Sharing of power between national and state governments via the 10th amendment.

1.7 Federalism | Exclusive Powers

Powers that are reserved solely for the federal government, such as issuing currency, declaring war, and regulating interstate commerce.

1.7 Federalism | Reserved Powers

Powers for the states given by the 10th amendment.

→ Powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government or prohibited to the states, allowing states to govern in areas not delegated to the national government.

1.7 Federalism | Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both national and state governments, such as the ability to tax, build roads, and create lower courts.

1.7 | Fiscal Federalism

A concept whereby federal funds are allocated to state and local governments for specific projects, often with conditions attached, influencing state policy and spending.

1.7 Fiscal Federalism | Grants

Financial aid provided by the federal government to state and local governments, often for specific programs or projects, requiring compliance with federal guidelines.

1.7 Types of Grants | Categorical Grant

A type of grant from the federal government that is used for a specific purpose, often with strict regulatory conditions.

1.7 Types of Grants | Block Grant

A type of federal grant that provides state and local governments with funds for broad purposes, allowing them greater discretion in how to spend the money.

1.7 Fiscal Federalism | Mandates

Requirements imposed by the federal government on state and local governments to ensure compliance with national standards, often associated with funding provisions.

1.7 Fiscal Federalism | Unfunded Mandate

A regulation or policy imposed by the federal government that requires state or local governments to perform certain actions without providing funding to cover the costs.

1.7 | McCulloch v. Maryland

Confirmed the necessary and proper clause, established supremacy of national laws over state laws Maryland didn’t want a federal bank in their state and so required the second Bank of America to pay a lot of taxes, and McCulloch called bs and won unanimously.

1.7 | United States v. Lopez

Lopez brought a gun to school, got arrested by the state, and then arrested by the federal government under the “gun free school zone act.” The federal gov was questioned if they had the authority to pass this act in the first place, in which they justified the act via the commerce clause, but it didn’t hold through. With a 5 to 4 majority Lopez won; Gun regulation on school property is a power reserved for the States.

1.8 | 10th amendment

The amendment that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the States, for the States or the people.

1.8 | 14th amendment

Applies bill of rights to the states.

It also Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and ensures equal protection under the laws.

1.8 | Commerce Clause

The clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with the Native American tribes.

1.8 | Necessary and Proper Clause

A clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the authority to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution its powers.