AP Gov Exam Review 2024

What was the constitutional convention?

Meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 to "revise" the Articles of Confederation.

What is a federalist?

Someone who supports the constitution

What is an anti-federalist?

Someone against the constitution

What is gerrymandering?

The manipulation of the redistricting boundaries process for political gain

What were the flaws of the articles of confederation?

it had a weak central government, weak judiciary, economic disorganization

How does a bill become a law?

It has to be passed by both the house and senate, voted on, and the president has to sign off on it

What are the powers of congress?

Taxing, printing money, and declaring war

What is a committee system?

A way to provide for specialization, or a division of the legislative labor.

What is an iron triangle?

The legislature, interest groups, and bureaucracy. The triangle is used to show how the three entities work in creating public policy.

How are members of Congress elected?

by a direct vote of the people of the state they represent

What are the major powers of the president?

the President can veto legislation, he is Commander-in-Chief of the military, he can make treaties, and can appoint government officials

What are the minimum ages for president, senate, and house?

35, 25, 21

What are the powers of the cabinet?

legitimising government policy, setting the legislative agenda, supporting the PM, deciding on government policy

What are the powers of the legislative branch?

makes the laws; declares war, levies taxes

What are the powers of the judicial branch?

interprets the constitution and other laws, reviews lower-court decisions

Who is apart of the legislative branch?

Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)

Who is a part of the judicial branch?

Supreme Court and other federal courts

What are the oversights of the president in bureaucracy?

executive orders, budget control, and appointing heads and officials

What is bureaucracy?

All of the agencies and departments working for the government.

How can Congress oversee and control the bureaucracy?

Congress and initiate laws, approve the appointments of officials, and control the budget.

What are civil liberties?

basic freedoms to think and to act that are protected and that all people have

What are civil rights?

the rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

What is amicus curiae?

a brief submitted by a "friend of the court"

What is writ of certiorari?

A formal request to the Supreme Court to hear a case

What is a docket?

list of cases to be heard

What is stare decisis?

to stand by what has been decided

What is appellate jurisdiction?

cases that come to a court by appeal from a lower court

What is Fed. 10 about?

Madison - factionalism

What is Fed. 51 about?

Madison - checks and balances

What is Fed. 70 about and who wrote it?

Hamilton - having only one executive

What is Fed. 78 about and who wrote it?

Hamilton - judicial review upholds the Constitution

What is Brutus 1 about and who wrote it?

Robert yates - a general overview of why Constitution should not be ratified

What is letter from Birmingham jail about?

MLK defends nonviolent resistance to racism

What are the articles of confederation?

the first constitution of the United States (very weak and flawed)

What is the declaration of independence?

Document announcing the formal separation of the United States from Great Britain.

What is the US Constitution?

the supreme law of the United States

What is Baker v. Carr about?

state district reappointment for fairness

What is Brown v. Board of Education about?

segregation in public schools

What is Citizens United v. FEC about?

campaigning guidelines

What is Engel v. Vitale about?

optional religious practices in school

What is Tinker v. Des Moines about?

free speech and expression in school

What is McCulloch v. Maryland about?

establishing a national bank

What is Shaw v. Reno about?

racial gerrymandering (districting)

What are the common beliefs of the democratic party?

larger government role, social welfare programs, focus on communal and societal rights, more progressive

What are the common beliefs of the republican party?

smaller government role, focus on economy and individual rights, more conservative

What is the first amendment?

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

What is the second amendment?

Right to bear arms

What is the third amendment?

Right to not quarter troops

What is the fourth amendment?

Right to protection from unlawful searches and seizures

What is the fifth amendment?

Right to remain silent

What is the sixth amendment?

Right to a speedy and public trial

What is the seventh amendment?

Right to trial by jury

What is the eighth amendment?

No cruel or unusual punishment

What is the ninth amendment?

Rights retained by the people

What is the tenth amendment?

Powers Reserved to the States

How does a bill become a law?

If a bill has passed in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and has been approved by the President, or if a presidential veto has been overridden, the bill becomes a law and is enforced by the government.

What are the powers of the Senate?

Ratifies treaties, confirms president's judicial and executive nominations.

What are the powers of the House of Representatives?

Lawmaking and impeachment

Commerce Clause

grants Congress the power regulate power with foreign nations and within states.

Establishment Clause

prohibits the government from making an official religion or favoring a religion.

Free Exercise Clause

protects the right to practice religion freely.

Equal Protection Clause

requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all people.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.

Due Process Clause

Found in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, these clauses protect against the denial of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.