AP GOVERNMENT UNIT 1 FINAL

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Checks and Balances

Supports: Anti-tyranny / balanced government (Federalist design)
Definition: Each branch can limit the power of the others (veto, judicial review, impeachment)
AP Idea: Prevents concentration of power
🔥 Hook: “Each branch checks so none oversteps.”

Separation of Powers

Supports: Limited government
Definition: Government split into legislative, executive, judicial branches
AP Idea: Power is divided structurally
🔥 Hook: “Split the roles to protect the whole.”

US Federalism

Supports: Balance between national + state governments
Definition: Power is shared between levels of government
AP Idea: Key debate: national vs state power
🔥 Hook: “Power divided, not one-sided.”

Federalists vs Anti-Federalists

Federalists Support: Strong national government, Constitution
Anti-Federalists Support: States’ rights, Bill of Rights, weaker national gov
AP Idea: Debate over ratification
🔥 Hook: “Feds want strong, Anti says wrong.”

Elitism

Supports: Wealthy / educated influence policy
Definition: Society ruled by a small, elite class
AP Idea: Policy favors those with power/resources
🔥 Hook: “Elite compete, control the seat.”

Pluralism

Supports: Interest groups / broad participation
Definition: Many groups compete → policy reflects compromise
AP Idea: No single group dominates
🔥 Hook: “Many groups, shared hoops.”

Hyper-Pluralism

Supports: Too many groups = gridlock
Definition: Excessive group influence prevents strong policy
AP Idea: Leads to policy stagnation
🔥 Hook: “Too many voices = broken choices.”

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–87)

Supports: Stronger national government (Federalist argument)
Definition: Farmer uprising showing weakness of Articles
AP Idea: Led to Constitutional Convention
🔥 Hook: “Revolt exposed the system’s holes.”

Virginia Plan

Supports: Large states / strong national government
Definition: Representation based on population
AP Idea: Bicameral legislature proposal
🔥 Hook: “Big states win when population’s in.”

New Jersey Plan

Supports: Small states
Definition: Equal representation for each state
AP Idea: Unicameral legislature
🔥 Hook: “Small states say: equal say.”

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Supports: Balance big vs small states
Definition: House = population, Senate = equal
AP Idea: Solved representation conflict
🔥 Hook: “Big and small both stand tall.”

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Supports: Stronger national government
Definition: Meeting to replace Articles → created Constitution
AP Idea: Major compromises shaped gov structure
🔥 Hook: “From weak to strong, fixed what was wrong.”

Judicial Review

Supports: Judicial power / federal authority
Definition: Courts can declare laws unconstitutional
AP Case: Marbury v. Madison
🔥 Hook: “If law’s not right, courts can strike.”

Necessary and Proper Clause

Supports: Strong national government
Definition: Congress can make laws needed to carry out powers
AP Idea: Expands federal power (implied powers)
🔥 Hook: “If it fits the goal, Congress takes control.”

Commerce Clause

Supports: Federal power (but limited in some cases)
Definition: Congress regulates interstate commerce
AP Idea: Huge source of federal authority
🔥 Hook: “Across state lines? Federal signs.”

Declaration of Independence

Supports: Individual rights / self-government
Definition: Natural rights + right to overthrow government
AP Idea: Foundation of legitimacy
🔥 Hook: “Rights denied? Revolution justified.”

Implied Powers

Supports: Strong national government
Definition: Powers not listed but inferred from Constitution
AP Case: McCulloch v. Maryland
🔥 Hook: “Not written clear, but still appear.”

Concurrent Powers

Supports: Shared power
Definition: Powers both state and federal have (tax, courts)
AP Idea: Federalism in action
🔥 Hook: “Both can act — that’s the pact.”

Inherent Powers

Supports: National government
Definition: Powers from being a sovereign nation (foreign policy)
AP Idea: Not explicitly written
🔥 Hook: “As a nation, built-in station.”

Enumerated Powers

Supports: Federal government (explicit limits)
Definition: Powers specifically listed (Article I, Section 8)
AP Idea: Defines Congress authority
🔥 Hook: “Written down, Congress’s crown.”

Reserved Powers

Supports: States’ rights (10th Amendment)
Definition: Powers not given to federal gov → states
AP Idea: Key Anti-Federalist win
🔥 Hook: “Not for feds? States get heads.”

Fiscal Federalism

Supports: Federal influence over states
Definition: Federal gov uses grants (money) to influence states
AP Idea: Grants-in-aid, mandates
🔥 Hook: “Money given = rules driven.”

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Supports: National unity / individual rights
Definition: States can’t discriminate against citizens of other states
AP Idea: Promotes equality across states
🔥 Hook: “Same rights travel, no state-level unravel.”