AP GOV Unit 1 Study Guide

What was the Connecticut (Great) Compromise?

Where they agreed on a bicameral legistlature, with the House of Representatives based on popultion, and the Senate equal between states.

What are checks and balances? (Do they make change easy or hard?)

• Ways different branches of the government can check other branches; balances power.

• Hard, because change may not be agreed upon by other branches, thus not happening.

What are the different checks and balances of the executive, legislature, and judiciary?

• Legislative: Override presidential veto with 2/3 vote, must approve presidential appointments, controls budget and influence executive actions, remove federal judges, propose Ammendments.

• Executive: Veto legislation from Congress, call special sessions of Congress, nominate supreme court judges, withhold information from Congress with execctuvie privelage, can issue executive orders.

• Judiciary: Declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional, declare executive actions unconstitutional, rule on the legality of executive actions and government regulations.

What were the Articles of Confederation? Were they good or bad?

• The precursor government to the Constiution.

• Bad, because the federal government had no power to get things done.

What were the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation?

• Weak central government

• No executive or judicial branches

• Inability to tax or regulate commerce

• Lack of national military

What is Shay’s Rebellion and what was its major impact?

• An armed rebellion in Massachusetts, where they attempted to overthrow the government because of various issues (primarily financial).

• Major impact: Led to a change in the government, because prior to it the national government (under AoC) couldn’t raise funds to stop it.

How did the Constitution create a strong federal government?

• Established clear powers for the national government (taxes, etc.)

• Had separation of power/checks and balances to manage power

Which group is most directly accountable to the electorate in the federal government and why?

House of Representatives: We elect them directly, shortest term (2 years) so we vote for them more often, the number of electors for each state changes more often due to the frequent change in the number of representatives.

How does the Constitution limit majority rule?

• Each state gets equal representation in the senate.

• Electoral college, veto, judicial review, and impeachment.

How does the Amendment Process work?

• 2/3 majority in House of Representatives and Senate

• 2/3 majority in state legislature

What is a presidential recess appointment? Whose power is it really?

• Like line in veto; president can appoint someone while Congress is in recess

• Person gets job without a Cogress check (only tempoorary)

• Power of executive branch/president

How does the Constitution adapt to a changing world?

Through formal amendments and informal, evolving interpretations.

What is the general definition of federalism?

A system of government that divides power between a central, national government and constituent political units, such as states or provinces.

How were the Senate, House of Representatives, and President elected from the ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION? (before amendments)

The state legislature voted on who would represent in the senate, House Representatives, and the president.

What amendments changed federal elections and how?

• 12: Created electoral college and separate voting for P and VP

• 17; Created a direct (popular) vote for senators

What is the definition of Enumerated powers?

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

What are the important power given to Congress in the Enumerated powers?

• Impose taxes and spend money raised by taxes

• Pay debts

• Provide for defense

• Provide for general welfare

What are concurrent powers, reserved powers, and delegated powers?

• Concurrent: Powers shared by national and state governments

• Reserved: State powers

• Delegated: Powers that are written in the Constitution

What are implied powers, inherent powers, formal powers, and informal powers?

• Implied: Powers not named in the Consitution

• Inherent: Powers delegated to president/congress

• Formal: Enumerated powers

• Informal: Powers not written in the Consitution

The Consitution grants which level of government voting eligibility decisions?

The states

What is the Elastic Clause?

Also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, it states that COngress has the power to give Congress more power if Congress deems it necessary and proper.

What is the Supremacy Clause?

It states that the federal government is supreme over the states.

What is the Commerce Clause (Art. 1, Sec. 8, Clause 3)?

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

What is the Due Process Clause?

Refers to the provision in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments requiring the government to provide fair legal procedures and uphold fundamental rights before denying a person life, liberty, or property.

What is the Equal Protection Clause (14th Amenment)?

States that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction “the equal protection of the laws.”

What are mandates?

An official order/requirement from a higher level of government, typically the Federal government, to a lower level of government, like a state or local government, to take a specific action or adopt a particular policy.

What are grants?

They’re forms of federal financial assistance to state and local governments for specific public purposes, operating as grants-in-aid.

What are the different types of grants?

• Project: Most worthy receive money

• Categorical: Rederal aid to states for education or state/local spending

• Formula: No competition; given to states

• Block: Fixed amount given to state to address certain areas

What is devolution?

The transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local or regional administration.

How does the separation of powers work?

• No one person/group can do something on their own

• The branches check each other

• Any powers not listed in the consitution go to the states

What is a guaranteed public trial? How does this right provided in the Bill or Rights limit the national government?

• You cannot be put into jail without the chance to hold a trial to prove your innocence

• Gives powers and right to the people and takes them away from the federal government

Describe a federalist and an antifederalist? What wer ethe differences?

• Federalists: In favor of the constiuttion, a strong central government, and not in favor of the bill of rights.

• Anti-federalists: In favor of keeping Articles and Confederation, wanting a weak central government with powerful states, and in favor of the Bill of Rights.

What effects do the separation of powers and checks and balances have on the legislative process?

The legislature has to get the president’s approval or they must get enough votes to override the veto.

What are natural rights/unalienable rights?

Rights that cannot be denied or taken away; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happniess.

What is dual federalism?

Equal division of power between state and national government.

What is cooperative federalism?

National, state, and local governments work together to solve problems.

What is fiscal federalism?

Division of jobs and allowance between levels of government.

What is competitive federalism?

Regional and local governments compete with each other.