AP GOV NOTES FOR FINALS

stuff to study

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Case in which the State of Maryland passed a law taxing the U.S bank. Congress wasn’t stopped by the Necessary and Proper Clause from making a bank and due to the Supremacy Clause, a federal law was higher than state law. Maryland couldn’t tax the bank.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Charles Baker stated an old law (1901) detailing apportionment was ignored since reapportionment didn’t take into account the state change. The 14th Amendment (equal protection) allowed the Supreme Court to hear out the case.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

The case that was brought in by Marbury for not getting the position he was promised by Adams under the “Judiciary Act of 1789” and denied by Jefferson’s Secretary of State. Marbury was denied the position as Congress found the Judiciary Act unconstitutional and this led to the beginning of the Judicial Review.

Shaw v. Rene (1993)

North Carolina residents challenged a proposal that shaped districts in a way that favored the election of African-American Representatives (Racial Gerrymandering). It was found unconstitutional as it was apparent that Gerrymandering was in play (favored one race over the other).

U.S v. Lopez

Lopez went in a school with a conceal carry which led to him being charged with a crime for violating the “Gun Free School Zone“. The law was considered unconstitutional since having a gun in the school zone did not substantially affect interstate commerce. Case also reaffirmed the 10th Amendment which protects state’s rights. It was clear that in this case, the commerce clause did not grant Congress limitless power.

Federalist 10

a strong central government would be more effective than the individual states at controlling “factions” because when more representatives are elected, there will be a greater number of opinions. Therefore, it is far less likely that there will be one majority oppressing the rest of the people.

Federalist 51

addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government (3 branches)

Federalist 78

discusses the power of judicial review. It argues that the federal courts have the job of determining whether acts of Congress are constitutional and what must be done if the government is faced with the things that are done on contrary to the Constitution.

Brutus 1

An Anti-Federalist essay that argued against a strong central government, based on the belief that it would not be able to meet the needs of all US citizens due to its power.

Declaration of Independence

an article written by the founding fathers that talks about Natural Rights of Life, liberty and property, declaring that a government should be made to protect those rights and when they dont, the people can change or destroy it,

Elastic Clause

a statement in the constitution, Clause in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its expressed powers. Checks and Balances. limits imposed on branches of governement.

Block Grants

grants of money from the federal government to states for programs in certain general areas rather than for specific kinds of programs

categorical grants

federal grants for specific purposes defined by federal law that usually require that the state or locality put up money to "match" some part of the federal grants, though the amount of matching funds can be quite small