AP GOV Unit 1

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments

Separation of Powers

Legislative, executive, and judicial branch

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits each other

Republic, Representative democracy

People elect representatives to govern

Commerce Clause

Congress regulates interstate congress

10th Amendment

reserves power to states

Interstate Commerce

Trade/activities crossing state lines, Congress uses the commerce clause to regulate it

Relationship between federal and state government

federalism divides power between national and state gov sometimes federal power expands (mcculloch) sometimes states are protected (Lopez)

Mandates, Grants (what they are, how they are used, and the different types)

block grant - federal grants given automatically to states to support broad programs

categorial grant - federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes and come with strings attached

devolution - shifting power from national to local gov

mandate - an order from federal goc requireing a certain action

Impact of Shays Rebellion

Showed the weakness of articles of confederation

Concurrent Powers - definition and effects

Powers that the constitution gives to both the national and state gov such as the power to levey taxes

Compare the powers in the Articles of confederation v. the constitution

articles were consisted of a weak central gov vs the constitution which has a stronger central gov with federalism

Court cases that are associated with federalism

McCulloch v Maryland - necessary and proper clause, supremacy clause ( federal law over state and congress can make laws to carry out powers)

U.S v Lopez - Commerce clause ( limits on what can be considered a cross in commerce)

What is the significance of the decisions in the court cases for this unit?

mcculloch v maryland - strengthens national gov v states and prevents them from destroying federal institutions due to taxation

uS v Lopez- first major limitaiton in commerce clause also shows how court can restrict federal reach

What is policy?

a governments course of action to address a public problem (tax policy, education policy, environmental regulations, public health policy

What issues fall under the powers of the federal government and which ones fall under the states?

Federal - national defense, currency, foergin policy, immigration enforcment(declaring war, regulation airlines, printing money)

state - education, local police powers, licensing, interstate commerce, marriage(running public schools, issuing drivers license

concurrent - taxation, building roads, law enforcement, health and safteu refulations

Compare the viewpoints of Federalist and Anti federalist

Federalist - wanted stronger central gov and supported constiution

Anti Federalist - feared strong central gov and pushed for bill of rights

3 types of government - Participatory, pluralist, elite

• particpatory - states determine how to allow citizens to directly get involved (initiative/referendum)

• Pluralist - requires compromise within a wide range of competing intrest ( send professional leaders and experts to testify)

• Elite- elected representatives are charged with represnting their people. (electoral college gives them advantages and are in higher power)

• Necessary and proper clause

• supremacy clause

• Congress can make laws needed to carry out powers.

• Constitution/federal laws over state laws.

• (mcculloh vs Maryland)

• Bill of attainder

• ex post facto

• habeas corpus

• illlegal, punishes without trial

• illegal, punishes action retroactively

• right to challange unlawful detention

• Federalist 10

• Brutus 1

• Federalist 51

• factions are inevitable so we must learn to work with them. strong central gov with large republic

• anti state power, small gov and democracy.they fear power will always lead to bad, taxes, standing army, and reserved powers (they will take the power from the states)

• Seperation of powers, checks and balances. Gov power to protect liberty but limits it from abuse

Great compromise

Bicameral legislature meaning the house members consist of the population and equal representation in Senate

Social contract theory

People must abonden certain natural rights in order to find protection and freedom from society and politics