AP Government and Politics Summer Assignment Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the U.S. Amendments, Constitutional checks and balances, required majorities, and political ideologies based on the AP Government Summer Assignment notes.

AP United States Government and Politics

A college-level introduction to key political concepts, institutions, policies, and behaviors characterizing the constitutional system and political culture of the United States.

U.S. Constitution

The foundational document of the United States government and the primary focus of the course's working knowledge requirements.

1st Amendment

Guarantees Free Speech, Press, Petition, and the Free Exercise of Religion.

2nd Amendment

The Right to Bear Arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the Quartering of Soldiers in private homes.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Rights regarding self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and eminent domain.

6th Amendment

Right to a lawyer, a fair and speedy trial, and the right to confront witnesses.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in federal non-criminal cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and unreasonable bail.

9th Amendment

States that rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution belong to the people.

10th Amendment

Powers not delegated to the national government are reserved for the states.

11th Amendment

Citizens cannot sue a state in federal court without the state's permission.

12th Amendment

Creates separate electoral college ballots for the President and Vice President.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Reiterated citizenship for freed slaves; includes the privileges and immunities clause, due process clause, and equal protection clause.

15th Amendment

Extended voting rights to all males.

16th Amendment

Authorized Congress to levy an income tax.

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of Senators by the people rather than state legislatures.

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol.

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage (granted women the right to vote).

20th Amendment

Moved the date national office holders take office and established VP succession if the President dies.

21st Amendment

Repealed the prohibition of alcohol.

22nd Amendment

Limited the president to two $4$-year terms, with a maximum of $10$ years.

23rd Amendment

Granted Washington D.C. $3$ electoral votes.

24th Amendment

Abolished poll taxes.

25th Amendment

Outlines procedures for if the President becomes unfit for duty.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to $18$ years old.

27th Amendment

Prevents Congress from increasing their pay during the same term.

Legislative Check on the Executive (Veto)

Congress can override a presidential veto with a $\frac{2}{3}$ vote in each house.

Legislative Check on the Executive (Personnel)

The Senate must approve presidential appointments by simple majority and ratify treaties by $\frac{2}{3}$ majority.

Impeachment Process

The House of Representatives can impeach (accuse), and the Senate serves as the jury to convict or acquit.

Bully Pulpit

An Executive power used to check the Legislative branch by appealing directly to the people.

Judicial Review

The power of the Judicial Branch to check the actions of both the Legislative and Executive Branches.

Bureaucratic Discretion

The power given to agencies by Congress to implement laws using their expert judgment.

Bureaucratic Rulemaking

The process by which agencies create regulations that carry the same effect as laws.

Margin: Override Presidential Veto

$\frac{2}{3}$ majority in the House of Representatives and $\frac{2}{3}$ majority in the Senate.

Margin: Ratify a Treaty

$\frac{2}{3}$ majority in the Senate.

Margin: Impeach a President

A simple majority (half plus one) in the House of Representatives.

Margin: Elect the President

A simple majority consisting of $\text{270}$ electoral votes.

Margin: Ratify an Amendment

$\frac{3}{4}$ of the states.

Political Ideology

A collection of beliefs about morality, economics, efficiency, the proper role of government, and how society should function.

Party Platform

A compilation of policy positions favored by a political party, reflecting its ideology.

Liberal Ideology

Believes government should regulate the economy, protect noneconomic interests, provide social services, and refrain from regulating moral issues like private matters.

Conservative Ideology

Believes government should play a minimal role in society and the economy, but has an important role in regulating moral issues to uphold traditional beliefs.

Libertarian Ideology

Opposes government regulation of both economic activity and personal choices, prioritizing individual liberty as the highest value.

Political Culture

The broadly shared set of political values, beliefs, and norms held within a society.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political values and opinions through agents like family, education, and media.