AP US Government and Politics Review

AP US Government and Politics flashcards for exam review.

The Declaration of Independence

Outlines the philosophical justification for American independence and the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the U.S., which established a weak national government and was eventually replaced by the Constitution.

The Constitution of the United States

The supreme law of the U.S., establishing the structure, functions, and powers of government.

Federalist No. 10 (James Madison)

Argues that a large republic can best control factions and protect minority rights.

Federalist No. 51 (James Madison)

Explains the need for checks and balances and the separation of powers in the Constitution.

Federalist No. 70 (Alexander Hamilton)

Advocates for a strong, singular executive (the presidency) to ensure accountability and effective governance.

Federalist No. 78 (Alexander Hamilton)

Discusses the importance of an independent judiciary and judicial review.

Brutus No. 1

An Anti-Federalist paper warning against the dangers of a strong central government and advocating for states' rights.

Letter from Birmingham Jail (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Argues for civil disobedience and the moral responsibility to oppose unjust laws; connects to the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.

Impeachment (House)

Requires a simple majority vote in the House of Representatives to bring charges.

Removal from Office (Senate)

Requires a 2/3 vote in the Senate after a trial.

Confirming Appointments

Requires a simple majority vote in the Senate.

Ratification of Treaties

Requires a 2/3 vote in the Senate.

Overriding a Veto

Requires a 2/3 vote in both the House and the Senate.

Passing a Bill

Requires a simple majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

Winning the Presidency

Requires a simple majority of Electoral College votes (270/538).

Cloture (Ending a Filibuster)

Requires a 3/5 vote (60 Senators).

Expelling a member

Requires a 2/3 vote in the respective chamber (House or Senate).

Declaring War

Requires a simple majority vote in both the House and the Senate.

War Powers Resolution (1973)

Limits presidential power to send U.S. troops into combat without congressional approval.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) (2002)

Reformed campaign finance laws to limit contributions.

Title IX of the Education Amendments (1972)

Prohibited sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Banned discrimination against people with disabilities.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) (1971)

Regulated campaign contributions and spending.

No Child Left Behind Act (2001)

Increased federal involvement in K-12 education and mandated standardized testing.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) (2010)

Expanded healthcare coverage and reduced healthcare costs.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Ended segregation and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Eliminated discriminatory voting practices, especially in the South.

Patriot Act (2001)

Expanded surveillance and law enforcement powers post-9/11.

Hatch Act (1939)

Restricted federal employees' political activities.

Motor Voter Act (1993)

Simplified voter registration.

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883)

Established merit-based hiring for government jobs.

1st Amendment

Protects individual freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Establishment Clause

Government cannot establish an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects religious practices.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process, protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy and public trial, impartial jury, informed of charges, confront witnesses, and legal counsel.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

States that unenumerated rights are retained by the people (rights not listed still exist).

10th Amendment

Reserved Powers Clause: Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or people.

14th Amendment

Defines citizenship, guarantees due process and equal protection.

15th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment

Allows Congress to levy a federal income tax.

17th Amendment

Establishes direct election of U.S. Senators.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote (suffrage).

24th Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

25th Amendment

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.

27th Amendment

Prevents Congressional pay raises from taking effect until after the next election.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, ruling that parts of the Judiciary Act violated the Constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Congress can establish a bank (implied powers), and states cannot tax it (federal supremacy).

United States v. Lopez (1995)

The act exceeded Congress's commerce power, reaffirming limits on federal authority and how commerce 19could be used.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Corporations and unions can spend unlimited funds on independent political ads.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Courts can rule on redistricting under the Equal Protection Clause.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional if race is the predominant factor.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Speech can be restricted if it creates a “clear and present danger.”

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional; it violated the Equal Protection Clause.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

School-sponsored prayer is unconstitutional, even if non-denominational and voluntary.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

States must provide an attorney to defendants in felony cases if they can’t afford one (incorporated 6th Amendment).

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Students have free speech rights in schools as long as it doesn’t disrupt the educational process.

New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

The government cannot use prior restraint unless there’s a direct, immediate threat to national security.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

The law violated the Free Exercise Clause; religious freedom outweighed the state's interest in education past 8th grade.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

The Second Amendment is incorporated into the states; individuals have a right to possess firearms for self-defense.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, property (John Locke – Two Treatise on Government)

Social Contract

Agreement between people and government for mutual protection.

Popular Sovereignty

Government derives its power from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

Structure of the Articles of Confederation

Weak national government: most power resided with states, No executive branch, no judiciary, and a unicameral legislature.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Bicameral legislature (House based on population, Senate with equal representation); settled debate between Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Electoral College

Established system for electing the president.

Federalists

Supported a strong central government and the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Feared central government power and did not like the contents of the constitution; demanded a Bill of Rights.

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by law.

Separation of Powers

Division of power among three branches (legislative, executive, judicial).

Checks and Balances

Each branch can check the others to prevent abuse of power.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Judicial Review

Courts can strike down laws/actions as unconstitutional.

Fiscal Federalism

financial relationship between state, federal, and local government

Supremacy Clause

Constitution is the supreme law of the land (state cannot nullify/overturn federal laws).

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Expands Congressional power.

Commerce Clause

Congress regulates interstate commerce.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states.

14th Amendment

Limits state powers via incorporation of Bill of Rights.

Federalist No. 10 (James Madison)

Advocates for a large republic to control factions.

Federalist No. 51

Explains checks and balances and separation of powers.

Brutus No. 1

Warns against a large republic and the risks of centralizing power.

Pluralism

A theory of democracy where power is distributed among many groups, ensuring competition and representation for a wide range of interests.

Hyper pluralism

An extreme form of pluralism where the abundance of competing groups weakens government effectiveness.

Elitism

A theory of democracy where a small, powerful elite (wealthy individuals, corporations, or influential groups) controls government and policy, regardless of public input.

Standing Committees

permanent bodies w/ nonspecific, broad responsibilities established by rules of chamber

Select/Special Committees

created for specific purposes; normally temporary

Joint Committees

perform housekeeping functions or studies; membership with both chambers.

Conference Committees

reconciles differences between same bill in the 2 chambers in preparation for final congressional approval.

Rules Committee

determine a bill’s date and time to be debated

Appropriations Committee

Deciding how much funding each authorized federal government agency and program receives

Speaker of the House

most powerful, chosen by house reps, member of majority party, decides what bills are debated

majority/minority leaders

direct debates, guide party members in policy making issues