1ST SEMESTER EXAM REVIEW

McCulloch v. Maryland

The Supreme Court case that established federal supremacy over state laws and the concept of implied powers.

United States v. Lopez

This case limited the power of Congress under the Commerce Clause, ruling that gun possession in school zones was not an economic activity.

Baker v. Carr

A landmark case that established the principle of 'one person, one vote' in legislative redistricting.

Shaw v. Reno

The Supreme Court case that ruled gerrymandering based on race violated the Equal Protection Clause.

The Declaration of Independence

The foundational document asserting the colonies' intention to separate from Britain and outlining individual rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which created a weak federal government with limited power.

Article I of the Constitution

Establishes the legislative branch, including its powers, functions, and structure, forging a bicameral Congress.

Article II of the Constitution

Outlines the executive branch, detailing the powers and responsibilities of the President.

Article III of the Constitution

Creates the judicial branch, establishing the Supreme Court and defining its powers.

Article V of the Constitution

Describes the process for amending the Constitution, making it adaptable.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and liberties.

Federalist No. 10

An essay arguing for the Constitution and the need to control factions through a large republic.

Federalist No. 51

Explores the separation of powers within the government and checks and balances.

Federalist No. 70

Argues for a strong executive leader as a key component of government stability.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-federalist paper warning against the dangers of a large central government and advocating for local governance.

Participatory democracy

A model where citizens have direct involvement in decision-making processes.

Pluralist democracy

A system where multiple groups compete for influence in policy making.

Elite democracy

A model in which a small number of people, often the wealthy or powerful, have significant control over political decisions.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Block grant

A type of grant that provides funds for broad purposes, allowing states flexibility on how to spend it.

Categorical grant

A federal grant that is designed for a specific purpose and comes with restrictions.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, consisting of two representatives from each state.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress, with representatives based on state population.

Discretionary spending

Government spending implemented through an appropriations bill, which can vary from year to year.

Mandatory spending

Expenditures required by law, such as Social Security or Medicare.

Reapportionment

The process of reassigning representation based on population changes.

Redistricting

The redrawing of electoral district boundaries to reflect population changes.

Trustee model of representation

The concept where elected officials act in the best interest of their constituents.

Delegate model of representation

The idea that elected officials should act according to the expressed preferences of their constituents.

Politico model of representation

A hybrid of the trustee and delegate models, where representatives act as delegates on important issues.

Going public

The strategy of appealing directly to the public in order to gain support for legislation.

Executive orders

Directives issued by the President that manage the operations of the federal government.

Circular organization

An organizational structure where the President’s subordinates report directly to him, allowing for open communications.

Pyramid organization

An organizational structure where there is a clear hierarchy and flow of information from top to bottom.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The Supreme Court case that established federal supremacy over state laws and the concept of implied powers.

United States v. Lopez

This case limited the power of Congress under the Commerce Clause, ruling that gun possession in school zones was not an economic activity.

Baker v. Carr

A landmark case that established the principle of 'one person, one vote' in legislative redistricting.

Shaw v. Reno

The Supreme Court case that ruled gerrymandering based on race violated the Equal Protection Clause.

Marbury v. Madison

The Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing federal courts to declare legislative and executive acts unconstitutional.

The Declaration of Independence

The foundational document asserting the colonies' intention to separate from Britain and outlining individual rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which created a weak federal government with limited power.

Article I of the Constitution

Establishes the legislative branch, including its powers, functions, and structure, forging a bicameral Congress.

Article II of the Constitution

Outlines the executive branch, detailing the powers and responsibilities of the President.

Article III of the Constitution

Creates the judicial branch, establishing the Supreme Court and defining its powers.

Article V of the Constitution

Describes the process for amending the Constitution, making it adaptable.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and liberties.

14th Amendment

Guarantees equal protection and due process under the law for all citizens, impacting civil rights and liberties.

Federalist No. 10

An essay arguing for the Constitution and the need to control factions through a large republic.

Federalist No. 51

Explores the separation of powers within the government and checks and balances.

Federalist No. 70

Argues for a strong executive leader as a key component of government stability.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-federalist paper warning against the dangers of a large central government and advocating for local governance.

Participatory democracy

A model where citizens have direct involvement in decision-making processes.

Pluralist democracy

A system where multiple groups compete for influence in policy making.

Elite democracy

A model in which a small number of people, often the wealthy or powerful, have significant control over political decisions.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.

Checks and Balances

A system within the government designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful by giving each branch oversight over the others.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the enumerated powers.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to determine if a law or action by the government is constitutional.

Block grant

A type of grant that provides funds for broad purposes, allowing states flexibility on how to spend it.

Categorical grant

A federal grant that is designed for a specific purpose and comes with restrictions.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, consisting of two representatives from each state.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress, with representatives based on state population.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate indefinitely.

Discretionary spending

Government spending implemented through an appropriations bill, which can vary from year to year.

Mandatory spending

Expenditures required by law, such as Social Security or Medicare.

Reapportionment

The process of reassigning representation based on population changes.

Redistricting

The redrawing of electoral district boundaries to reflect population changes.

Trustee model of representation

The concept where elected officials act in the best interest of their constituents.

Delegate model of representation

The idea that elected officials should act according to the expressed preferences of their constituents.

Politico model of representation

A hybrid of the trustee and delegate models, where representatives act as delegates on important issues.

Going public

The strategy of appealing directly to the public in order to gain support for legislation.

Executive orders

Directives issued by the President that manage the operations of the federal government.

Circular organization

An organizational structure where the President

’s subordinates report directly to him, allowing for open communications.

Pyramid organization

An organizational structure where there is a clear hierarchy and flow of information from top to bottom.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The Supreme Court case that established federal supremacy over state laws and the concept of implied powers.

United States v. Lopez

This case limited the power of Congress under the Commerce Clause, ruling that gun possession in school zones was not an economic activity.

Baker v. Carr

A landmark case that established the principle of 'one person, one vote' in legislative redistricting.

Shaw v. Reno

The Supreme Court case that ruled gerrymandering based on race violated the Equal Protection Clause.

Marbury v. Madison

The Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing federal courts to declare legislative and executive acts unconstitutional.

The Declaration of Independence

The foundational document asserting the colonies' intention to separate from Britain and outlining individual rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which created a weak federal government with limited power.

Article I of the Constitution

Establishes the legislative branch, including its powers, functions, and structure, forging a bicameral Congress.

Article II of the Constitution

Outlines the executive branch, detailing the powers and responsibilities of the President.

Article III of the Constitution

Creates the judicial branch, establishing the Supreme Court and defining its powers.

Article V of the Constitution

Describes the process for amending the Constitution, making it adaptable.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and liberties.

14th Amendment

Guarantees equal protection and due process under the law for all citizens, impacting civil rights and liberties.

Federalist No. 10

An essay arguing for the Constitution and the need to control factions through a large republic.

Federalist No. 51

Explores the separation of powers within the government and checks and balances.

Federalist No. 70

Argues for a strong executive leader as a key component of government stability.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-federalist paper warning against the dangers of a large central government and advocating for local governance.

Participatory democracy

A model where citizens have direct involvement in decision-making processes.

Pluralist democracy

A system where multiple groups compete for influence in policy making.

Elite democracy

A model in which a small number of people, often the wealthy or powerful, have significant control over political decisions.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.

Checks and Balances

A system within the government designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful by giving each branch oversight over the others.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.