AP Gov Review

Preamble to the Constitution

Introduces the constitution, provides defense, promotes welfare and protects freedom.

Declaration of Independence

Breaks away from Britain due to unfair treatment; everyone has rights: life, liberty, and happiness.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government, gave most powers to states.

Brutus 1

Argued against implied powers, advocating for state power to avoid control by the federal government.

Fed 10

Madison's view that factions can’t be eliminated but can be controlled through a large government.

Fed 51

Advocates for separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.

Fed 70

Argues for a strong executive leader (President) to make quick decisions.

Fed 78

Judicial review; judges should serve life terms to protect the interests of the U.S.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Discusses the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause in the context of fighting discrimination.

Mcculloch v. Maryland

Established that the federal government can create a national bank, and states cannot tax it.

Lopez v. U.S

Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

Baker v. Carr

Addressed issues of gerrymandering and unfair representation.

Shaw v. Reno

Focused on racial gerrymandering and unfair districting.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Affirmed students' rights to free speech in schools.

Schenck v. US

Determined that speech could be limited if it poses a 'clear and present danger'.

Citizens United v. FEC

Held that corporations can spend unlimited amounts in political campaigns as a form of free speech.

Mcdonald v Chicago

Affirmed that the Second Amendment applies to state governments regarding gun ownership rights.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Allowed Amish children to stop school after 8th grade under the Free Exercise Clause.

Engel v. Vitale

Ruled that school-led prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Guaranteed the right to free legal counsel for defendants.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared that segregated schools are inherently unequal, leading to desegregation.

NYT v. U.S

Protected freedom of the press unless it poses a clear danger.

Roe v. Wade

Established the right to privacy in the context of abortion under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights that every individual is born with, such as life, liberty, and property.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits.

Republicanism

A political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic under which the people hold popular sovereignty.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy where many or all citizens participate directly in making decisions.

Pluralist Democracy

A model of democracy in which multiple groups compete to influence laws and policies.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy that emphasizes limited participation in politics and elections by the general populace.

Limited Government

The government only has powers explicitly granted to it by the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches.

Federalism

The distribution of power in an organization between a central authority and the constituent units.

Individual Rights

Personal liberties that are guaranteed and protected by the government, often found in the Bill of Rights.

Block Grants

Large sums of money granted by the federal government to states for broad purposes.

Categorical Grants

Funds provided by the federal government to state and local governments for a specific purpose.

Mandates

Requirements set by the federal government that states must follow, sometimes without federal funding.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are assumed to exist due to their being necessary to exercise the enumerated powers.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not enumerated in the Constitution and are left to the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees that focus on specific areas of legislation.

Subcommittees

Smaller committees formed within a larger standing committee, focusing on specific issues.

Select Committees

Temporary committees formed for special purposes.

Joint Committees

Committees that include members from both houses of Congress.

Delegate model

A model of representation where representatives act according to the wishes of their constituents.

Trustee model

A model of representation where representatives use their own judgment to make decisions for their constituents.

Politico model

A hybrid model where representatives act as delegates on issues that are important to the public and as trustees on more complex issues.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution, responsible for electing the president and vice president.