Unit 1 AP GOV review

Who was John Locke?

An Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas included natural rights (life, liberty, property), the social contract, and the right to overthrow unjust governments.

What is John Locke's concept of natural rights?

Rights inherent to all people: life, liberty, and property. Inspired the Declaration of Independence.

What is John Locke’s idea of the social contract?

People consent to form a government that protects their rights by giving up some freedoms.

What happens if the government violates the social contract according to Locke?

The people have the right to overthrow and replace the government.

Who was Charles de Montesquieu?

Philosopher who advocated for separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What is Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers?

Dividing government power into three branches to prevent tyranny.

Who was William Blackstone?

A British legal scholar whose writings on English common law heavily influenced American law.

How did the Judeo-Christian tradition influence American government?

Emphasized moral law, justice, and equality; inspired by teachings like the Ten Commandments.

What does “All men are created equal…” represent?

Reflects natural rights philosophy from John Locke.

What does “Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed” mean?

Government power comes from the people, based on Locke’s social contract theory.

What does the Constitution’s separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers reflect?

Montesquieu’s principle of separation of powers.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

America’s first constitution after independence, establishing a weak central government.

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Could not tax, no executive branch, no national court system, no power to enforce laws, and unanimous consent needed to amend.

What was the significance of Shay’s Rebellion?

Showed the inability of the federal government to respond to domestic unrest, exposing the Articles' weaknesses.

What did the failure of the Articles lead to?

The Constitutional Convention and drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

What were John Adams’ beliefs?

Supported a republic ruled by laws, bicameral legislature, and separation of powers; was Vice President under Washington.

What were Alexander Hamilton’s beliefs?

Advocated for a strong central government, founded the Federalist Party and the First National Bank.

What were Thomas Jefferson’s beliefs?

Favored states’ rights and limited federal government; opposed Hamilton; leader of the Democratic-Republicans.

What were James Madison’s beliefs?

Known as the “Father of the Constitution,” helped draft the Constitution and Bill of Rights; shifted from Federalist to pro-states’ rights.

What were John Jay’s contributions?

Co-wrote the Federalist Papers, supported a strong central government, first Chief Justice, helped end slavery in New York.

Why did George Mason refuse to sign the Constitution?

Because it lacked a Bill of Rights; he also advocated for individual rights and against slavery.

What were Roger Sherman’s contributions?

Helped write the Great Compromise; signed the Declaration, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution.

What were George Washington’s beliefs?

Supported a stronger national government; warned against political parties in his farewell address.

What was James Wilson’s contribution?

Supported direct election of the president and senators; proposed the Three-Fifths Compromise.

What was the Virginia Plan?

Called for representation based on population in a bicameral legislature; favored by large states.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

Proposed equal representation in a unicameral legislature; favored by small states.

What was the Great Compromise?

Blended the Virginia and New Jersey Plans; created a bicameral Congress with a Senate (equal representation) and House (population-based).

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Counted three-fifths of enslaved people for both representation and taxation purposes.

What was the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise?

Congress couldn’t ban the slave trade until 1808 but could regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

What problem did the Great Compromise solve?

It resolved the dispute between large and small states over congressional representation.

What were the Federalist Papers?

85 essays promoting ratification of the Constitution; written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay under "Publius."

What was the argument in Federalist No. 10?

Factions are inevitable but can be controlled in a large republic with many competing interests.

What was the argument in Federalist No. 51?

Separation of powers and checks and balances are essential to prevent tyranny.

What did Anti-Federalists believe?

Opposed a strong central government, preferred local control, and demanded a Bill of Rights.

What was the purpose of the Brutus Papers?

Warned that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government, risking tyranny.

What is limited government?

Government power is restricted by law and the Constitution.

What is republicanism?

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.

What is popular sovereignty?

The idea that government derives its power from the people.

What is separation of powers?

Divides government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

What are checks and balances?

Each branch can limit the power of the others (e.g., presidential veto, judicial review, legislative override).

What is federalism?

A system where power is shared between national and state governments.

What are individual rights?

Fundamental liberties protected by the Bill of Rights (e.g., speech, religion, due process).

What is the Preamble?

The introduction to the Constitution that states its goals and purposes.

What does Article I establish?

The legislative branch (Congress) with the power to make laws.

What does Article II establish?

The executive branch, led by the President, which enforces laws.

What does Article III establish?

The judicial branch, including the Supreme Court, which interprets laws.

What does Article IV describe?

Relations among states and between states and the national government; includes Full Faith and Credit Clause.

What does Article V describe?

How the Constitution can be amended.

What does Article VI contain?

The Supremacy Clause, establishing the Constitution and federal law as the supreme law of the land.

What does Article VII describe?

The process for ratifying the Constitution, requiring approval from 9 of 13 states.

What are amendments to the Constitution?

Formal changes to the Constitution; there are 27, with the first 10 being the Bill of Rights.

What is a unitary system?

A government structure where all power is held by a central government (e.g., UK).

What is a confederation?

A loose alliance where states hold most power and the central government is weak (e.g., U.S. under the Articles of Confederation).

What is a federal system?

Power is shared between national and state governments (e.g., U.S. under the Constitution).

What is a presidential system?

Citizens elect both the legislature and executive separately; there is a clear separation of powers.

What is a parliamentary system?

The executive is chosen by the legislature and depends on legislative support to stay in power.

What are key differences between presidential and parliamentary systems?

Presidential: independent branches, fixed terms; Parliamentary: executive comes from legislature, no separation of powers.

What is a monarchy?

Government led by a hereditary ruler like a king or queen (e.g., Bhutan).

What is a dictatorship?

Government ruled by a single leader with absolute power (e.g., North Korea).

What is a direct democracy?

People vote directly on all laws and policies (e.g., Switzerland).

What is a theocracy?

A government led by religious leaders or based on religious law (e.g., Vatican City).

What are the branches of most state governments?

Legislative (often bicameral), Executive (governor), and Judicial (state courts).

What are the responsibilities of local governments?

Regulate local matters like policing, education, zoning, and public safety; established by state constitutions.

What does the 10th Amendment do?

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

What are expressed (enumerated) powers?

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government (e.g., declaring war, coining money).

What are implied powers?

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out expressed powers; justified by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

What are reserved powers?

Powers reserved for the states, including education, elections, and intrastate commerce.

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by both federal and state governments, such as taxation and court systems.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Also known as the Elastic Clause; allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out expressed powers.

What are the advantages of a unitary system?

Decisions are made quickly and applied uniformly across the country.

What are the disadvantages of a unitary system?

Regional differences may be ignored; policies may not suit local needs.

What are the advantages of a confederation?

Reflects local traditions and gives states control over their own laws.

What are the disadvantages of a confederation?

Lack of unified national policy and weak central authority.

What are the advantages of a federal system?

Balances power between central and regional governments; allows flexibility.

What are the disadvantages of a federal system?

Potential for conflicts between states and between states and the federal government.

Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

To protect individual liberties and satisfy Anti-Federalist concerns about government power.

What was the original method of electing Senators and the President?

Originally, Senators were chosen by state legislatures and the President by the Electoral College, showing elitist influences.

What does pluralism suggest about democracy?

Power is distributed among many competing groups, promoting compromise and representation.

What is hyperpluralism?

When too many groups cause policy gridlock and make it difficult for government to act effectively.