Political Science 2025 Spring Midterm Study Guide

What is a confederation?

A system with a weak central government and strong state governments.

What is sovereignty under the Articles of Confederation?

Power stays with the states.

How many branches existed under the Articles of Confederation?

One branch (legislative).

How many votes did each state have under the Articles?

One vote per state.

How many states were needed to pass laws?

9 out of 13.

How many states were needed to amend the Articles?

13 out of 13 (unanimous).

What was the biggest weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

No power to tax.

What branches were missing under the Articles?

Executive and judicial branches.

Why was there no standing army under the Articles a problem?

The government could not maintain order or defend itself.

What was Shays’ Rebellion?

A farmer revolt showing the government was too weak.

What did Shays’ Rebellion prove?

The government could not maintain order.

What event did Shays’ Rebellion lead to?

The Constitutional Convention.

What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention (1787)?

To fix the Articles of Confederation.

What was the result of the Constitutional Convention?

The creation of the Constitution.

What system replaced the confederation?

A federal system (shared power).

What is federalism?

Shared power between national and state governments.

What did the Great Compromise decide?

House = population, Senate = equal representation.

What was the 3/5 Compromise?

Enslaved people counted as 3/5 for representation.

What did the Fugitive Slave Clause require?

Escaped enslaved people had to be returned.

What was decided about the slave trade?

Protected until 1808.

What does 'E Pluribus Unum' mean?

'Out of many, one.'

Who set the precedent for presidential power?

George Washington.

What does Article I cover?

Legislative branch.

What does Article II cover?

Executive branch.

What does Article III cover?

Judicial branch.

What does Article IV cover?

States.

What does Article V cover?

Amendments.

What does Article VI establish?

Supremacy Clause.

What does Article VII cover?

Ratification.

Who were the Federalists?

Supporters of a strong national government.

Who were key Federalist leaders?

Hamilton, Madison, and Jay.

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

Supporters of strong state governments and a Bill of Rights.

What was a major Anti-Federalist concern?

A strong federal government.

Why did Anti-Federalists fear the president?

They thought he could become like a king.

What system gives all power to the national government?

Unitary system.

What system shares power?

Federal system.

What system gives power to states?

Confederate system.

What did the Alien and Sedition Acts do?

Limited speech.

What is nullification?

States can reject federal laws.

What did the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argue?

States can decide constitutionality.

What did Marbury v. Madison establish?

Judicial review.

What is judicial review?

The power to declare laws unconstitutional.

What did McCulloch v. Maryland establish?

Expanded federal power using the elastic clause.

What are enumerated powers?

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution.

What are implied powers?

Powers derived from the elastic clause.

What are states NOT allowed to do?

Make treaties, coin money, declare war.

What does the 10th Amendment state?

Powers not given to the federal government go to the states.

What did the Civil War establish about power?

Federal power is greater than state power.

What did the 13th Amendment do?

Ended slavery.

What did the 14th Amendment do?

Guaranteed equal protection.

What did the 15th Amendment do?

Protected voting rights.

What is political culture?

Shared beliefs and values about government.

What is the most important American value?

Individualism.

What does individualism mean?

Self-reliance and personal responsibility.

What is equality of opportunity?

Everyone has a chance to succeed.

What is political socialization?

How people learn political beliefs.

What are agents of political socialization?

Family, school, media, peers.

What is a key contradiction in American beliefs?

Equality is valued, but inequality exists.

What does 'majority-minority' mean?

No group is over 50%.

What is happening to U.S. demographics?

Becoming more diverse.

What does it mean that race is socially constructed?

Society defines race, not biology.

What is ideology?

Beliefs about the role of government.

What is the main ideological question?

Government control vs individual freedom.

What are the main ideologies?

Liberal, moderate, conservative.

What do liberals believe?

Social freedom and more government support.

What do conservatives believe?

Social order and limited government.

What do libertarians believe?

Freedom in both social and economic areas.

What do authoritarians believe?

Government control in both areas.

What is the difference between social and economic issues?

Social = personal freedoms, Economic = government spending/regulation.

Does ideology equal political party?

No.

What is a population in polling?

The entire group being studied.

What is a sample?

A smaller group representing the population.

What happens if the population is wrong?

The poll is inaccurate.

What type of sample is best?

Random and representative.

Why are voluntary samples bad?

They create bias.

What is a good sample size?

About 1,000 or more.

What is margin of error?

The range of possible error in results.

What is a good margin of error?

±3%.

What is intensity in polling?

Strength of opinion.

What is stability in polling?

Whether opinions change over time.

What is the main goal of political parties?

Win elections and gain power.

What are functions of political parties?

Nominate, inform, activate voters, organize government, provide opposition.

What ideology do Democrats generally follow?

Liberal.

What ideology do Republicans generally follow?

Conservative.

What is a caucus?

A party meeting to choose candidates.

What is a primary?

An election to choose party nominees.

What is a closed primary?

Only party members can vote.

What is an open primary?

Any voter can choose a party ballot.

What is a top-two primary?

Top two candidates advance regardless of party.

What type of primary does California use?

Top-two primary.

What are low-information shortcuts?

Party label, incumbency, name recognition, media.

What are voting requirements in California?

U.S. citizen, resident, 18+, registered, not in prison/parole, mentally competent.

What is a safe district?

One party is almost guaranteed to win.

What effect do safe districts have?

More extreme candidates and polarization.

What is winner-take-all?

The candidate with the most votes wins everything.

What is proportional representation?

Seats based on percentage of votes.

Is proportional representation used in the U.S.?

No.

What is the Electoral College?

System where states have electors to choose the president.

How are electors determined?

House + Senate members.

What is an interest group?

A group that influences government policy.