AP Government Test 1 Prep

Thomas Hobbes (Social Contract Theory)

Humans are naturally competitive and destructive; the primary purpose of government is to enforce order.

John Locke (Social Contract Theory)

Humans are rational and tolerant; government exists through a social contract to protect natural rights (life, liberty, property).

Popular Sovereignty

The democratic principle that government power resides with the people and relies on the consent of the governed.

Participatory Democracy

A model emphasizing direct participation of many citizens in politics and civil society, such as town halls and initiatives.

Pluralist Democracy

A model featuring group-based activism where multiple diverse interest groups compete for influence over public policy.

Elite Democracy

A model featuring limited participation where decisions are made by a small group of wealthy and powerful individuals.

Federalist No. 10 (James Madison)

Argues that a large republic is the best defense against tyranny because it controls the inevitable mischiefs of factions.

Brutus No. 1 (Anti-Federalist)

Argued that a centralized national government and broad clauses (like the Supremacy Clause) would destroy state sovereignty.

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses

Featured a weak central government with no executive, no national court system, and no power to tax or regulate commerce.

Shays' Rebellion (1786)

A rebellion of debt-burdened farmers that exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and sparked the Constitutional Convention.

The Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature balancing state power: equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

The Three-Fifths Compromise

Determined that enslaved people would count as three-fifths of a person for congressional representation and taxation.

The Electoral College

An elite democratic feature where 538 electors choose the President rather than relying purely on a direct popular vote.

Federalist No. 51 (James Madison)

Explains how separation of powers and checks and balances prevent tyranny by ensuring 'ambition must be made to counteract ambition.'

Federalist No. 70 (Alexander Hamilton)

Argues for a single, energetic executive to ensure prompt action, accountability, and stability in government.

Federalist No. 78 (Alexander Hamilton)

Defends an independent judiciary with life tenure and judicial review, calling it the 'least dangerous branch'.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves any power not specifically delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Affirmed Congress's implied powers via the Necessary and Proper Clause and established that states cannot tax federal entities.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Ruled that Congress exceeded its Commerce Clause authority by banning guns in school zones, returning power to the states.

Categorical vs. Block Grants

Categorical grants provide narrow funding with strict strings attached, while block grants provide broad funding with state flexibility.

The Declaration of Independence (1776): Writer

Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration of Independence: Key Principles

• Unalienable (Natural) Rights

• Limited Government

• Right to Rebel

Popular Sovereignty

Natural Rights

Life, Liberty, and Property

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Federalists: On the Bill of Rights

Unnecessary (Constitution is enough)

Federalists: On Representation

Elite/Trustee model

Federalists: Founding Docs

Federalist Papers (Madison, Hamilton)

Federalists: On Central Government

Strong central power for stability

Anti Federalists: Founding Docs

Brutus

Anti Federalists: On Representation

Direct/Delegated mode

Anti Federalists: On the Bill of Rights

Necessary to protect liberty

Anti Federalists: On Central Government

Weak central government/strong states

Legislative Branch Checks

Makes the laws; Can impeach/removing President/Judges; Power of the Purse

Executive Branch Checks

Enforces the laws; Can veto legislation; Appoints federal judges

Judicial Branch Checks

Interprets the laws; Judicial Review (Marbury v. Madison) declaring laws unconstitutional

Article 1

Legislative Branch

Article 2

Executive Branch

Article 3

Judicial Branch

Article 6, Clause 2

Supremacy Clause

Article 1 Section 8 (Clause 18)

Necessary and Proper Clause

Article 1, Section 8 (Clause 3)

Commerce Clause

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to the federal government

Coin Money

Declare War

Regulate Interstate Commerce

Foreign Treaties

Concurrent Powers

Powers given to both federal and state governments

Taxation

Law Enforcement

Borrowing Money

Establishing Courts

Reserved Powers

Powers given to the states

Public Schools

Conducting Elections

Licensing (Marriage/Driver)

Health/Safety (Police Powers) |

Categorcal Grants

• Money given to states for a specific, narrow purpose

• Example: Highway funding

Block Grants

• Money given for broad policy areas

• Gives states more flexibility

• Example: Social Services

Mandates

• Federal requirements states must follow

• If "unfunded," states must pay for it themselves

• Example: Americans With Disabilities compliance