ap gov unit 1

the declaration of independence (3)

justified american revolution and outlined core principles:

• natural rights

• popular sovereignty

• social contract

natural rights

inalienable rights that all humans possess (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)

popular sovereignty

gov authority comes from consent of the people

social contract

indivs give up some freedom to gain protection for natural rights

forms of democracy (elite, pluralist, participatory)

elite: elected representatives legislate for the ppl

• appointing of SCOTUS judges, electoral college

pluralist: political parities & interest groups

• NAACP, indiv US states

participatory: ppl exercise 1st amendment

• initiatives (measures on ballots) & referendums (oppose laws)

republicanism

citizens elect representatives to rule for the common good (practice popular sovereignty)

article i

• great compromise

• elastic clauses

• commerce clause

• bill → law

• slavery

(and enumerated powers)

LEGISLATIVE - 

• bicameral congress - great compromise (balance virginia (pop based) + NJ (equal rep.))

  • house: 2 yr, pop elected

  • senate: 6 yr, 2 per state

• commerce clause: regulate interstate trade

  • + can’t tax exports

• elastic clause: allow congress to make “necessary & proper” laws to carry out the constitution

• bill → law  

  • originate in house/senate → committee reviev

  • floor debate & voting (2/3rd)

  • president vetos/signs into law

SLAVERY - 

• 3/5th compromise: slave is 3/5th of a vote for electoral college

• importation of slaves: congress can’t regulate slave trade for 20 yrs

article ii

EXECUTIVE -

• president appoints judges/officials, treaties, veto

• electoral college

• impeachment, 2/3rd congress veto override

article iii

JUDICIAL - 

• establishes federal courts (including SCOTUS)

• judicial review to interpret the constitution

article iv

STATES - 

• equal treatment: honor other state laws

• privileges & immunities clause: protect fundamental rights

article v

CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION

• proposing amendments:

  • 2/3 of congress or states (or conventions)

• ratifying amendments:

  • 3/4 of states or conventions

*no amendment can reduce a state’s senate rep without its consent

article vi

FEDERAL LAW IS SUPREME LAW

also no religious tests 

article vii

RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION

• 9/13 of states required (bill of rights swayed reluctant ones)

the articles of confederation (4)

PROS:

1. avoided tyranny of a central government

CONS:

1. no exec or judicial branch

2. no money (can’t tax the states, no currency)

3. impossible to reach unanimity

4. no national army

federalists vs anti federalists (style of gov? factions?)

federalist:

• republican style gov

• minorities are represented on state level (federalism)

• diverse factions = compromise is necessary

  • controlled by checks/balances

anti federalist:

• participatory style gov

• reps dont work bc US is too large/diverse

• N&P + supremacy clauses gives too much power

brutus 1

broad, participatory

• large republic is dangerous (representatives are out of touch)

• powerful central gov leads to tyranny

federalist 10

pluralist with elite filter

• impossible to remove factions

• direct democracy would lead to unwise decisions

federalist 51

checks and balances on each branch

legislative: lawmaking + funding, confirm judicial & exec appointments

executive: veto or enforce laws, appoint justices

judicial: judicial review

federalism (exclusive, reserved, concurrent powers)

balance of power btwn federal & state governments

exclusive: constitution → federal gov

• declare war

• immigration and naturalization

reserved: kept by states (10th amendment)

• schools, cities, companies

• health, safety

concurrent: shared by both

• levy taxes, enforce laws

selective exclusiveness

commerce clause is exercised by congress only when uniformity among states is required

fiscal federalism (categorical & block grants, mandates)

categorical: must comply with fed standards

block: broad purpose, states determine specifics (new federalism)

mandates: requires compliance to directives and gives $$$ to do so