AP GOV Required Documents

Declaration of Independence

document adopted by the Continental Congress announcing the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain and the establishment of a new nation, the United States of America.

• List of Grievances

• Identified natural rights of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness

  • Cannot be taken away by the government

• Consent of the governed

  • Popular Sovereignty

    Social Contract Theory with limited Government

Articles of Confederation

Established a decentralized system of government, where the power was primarily vested in the individual states rather than a strong central authority. The national government had limited authority to enforce laws, collect taxes, and regulate commerce—the lack of a unified currency and the inability to raise a standing army.

They could regulate foreign affairs, war, and postal service, control Indian affairs, borrow money, and issue bills of credit.

Unicameral Legislature

• Each state had one vote and 9/13 states needed to pass laws

Federalist 10

advocates for a large republic to prevent the dangers of factionalism and promote stability in government.

Representative style government

• To ensure rights of the minority were kept

• factions would be distributed to different areas instead of one

• Elected officials to represent common interests in fear of being voted out, preventing tyranny

Pluralism

• Many factions competing would lead to the best ideas being enacted

Brutus 1

Government should be limited to prevent tyranny

The necessary and Proper clause would give Congress too much power to make laws.

• Supremacy Clause would give states no power

A country too large for Congress to represent would disregard local opinions because of so many views

Federalist No 51

Outlines the need for three branches of government each able to limit each other through a system of checks and balances

• Separate but equal powers

• prevent major centralization of power which would lead to tyranny

Bicameral legislation with national and state governments along with a house and a senate

Federalist No 70

Argues for a single energetic executive which would be the definition of a good government

President would be a single person, not a dual executive which would lead to mistrust, confusion, and the immobility to act decisively.

• Single executive can act swiftly and can be held more accountable

Introduced a cabinet of advisors to the president

Federalist No 78

Argues for the importance of an independent judiciary, with the power of judicial review to interpret the Constitution and check the actions of the other branches of government.

Judicial Branch would have to rely on Congress and the president since the judiciary cannot enforce laws or take away funding

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King Jr., speaks as a direct response to the criticism he received from white clergy members. These clergy members had expressed their disapproval of King's nonviolent protests aimed at bringing attention to the urgent need for civil rights and racial equality. In his letter, King eloquently defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance, drawing upon his deep-rooted beliefs in justice, equality, and the inherent dignity of all individuals.

Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment

Direct Action (Peaceful protests)

Civil disobedience is a patriotic response to laws that are unjust

Article I Section I

Bicameral Legislature

Bill goes to house first then Senate

Article I Section II

House Details - Based on population (435 members), at least 25 years of age, contains speaker of the house

Article I Section III

Senate details - equal representation for all states (100 senators), 6 yr term, at least 30 years of age, VP of US is president of Senate

Article I Section VII

How a bill becomes a law

Article I Section VIII

Grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, regulate commerce, coin money, establish post offices, and declare war, among other powers.

Enumerated (expressed) powers; commerce clause; elastic clause

Article I Section IX

Prohibits Congress from passing any laws of nobility, ensuring equality among citizens.

Denied powers

ie. Regulating trade

Article II

The presidency

Must be at least 35

Sign legislation or vetos, enforce laws, commander in chief, and diplomatic powers

Article III

Creation of the judicial system and the supreme court established jury by trial

Article IV

Sancicty of individual states

Full Faith and Credit Clause - State courts respect laws and judgements of other states

Right of citizens, relationships b/w states, admission of new states, protections from government

Article V

How the Constituion may be amended

proposed by 2/3 both houses or the senate

Ratified by ¾ States

Article VI

Declares the Constitution supreme law of the land

Supremacy clause

Article VII

Original requirements for ratification (9 states)

1st Amendment

Freedom of Speech, Religion, Assembly, press, and petition

Establishment and exercise clause

Symbolic Speech

2nd Amendment

The right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

The quartering of soldiers in homes

4th Amendment

The protection from unwarranted search and seizure of private property

Currently also includes phones

5th Amendment

Freedom from self incrimination - Miranda Rights - double jeapordy, and due process of law

6th Amendment

The right to council in a criminal trial, in addition to a speedy trial with witnesses

7th amendment

Right to trial by a Jury

8th Amendment

Protection against excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishments

9th amendment

Constitution is not an exclusive list of rights

there are other basic rights of humans not outlined in the constitution

10th amendment

States retain all privileges and immunities not given to the federal government

Voting Amendments

15th - Right to vote given to Black men

17th - provides direct election of senators

19th - Women given the right to vote

24th - prohibits poll taxes and literary tests

26th - Voting age 21 to 18

Reconstruction Amendments

13th - no forms of involuntary servitude is allowed

14th - Equal protection to all citizens born in the United States (RAHHHHH) (Due process clause)

15th - right to vote given to black men

Presidential Amendments

12th - Guidlines for electing president

22nd - Limits presidency to 2 terms

25th - provides for presidential disability and succession

Prohibtion

18th - Prohibition of ALchohol

21st - repealed 18th amendment

Other amendments

16th - collection of federal income tax

11th - prohibits federal courts from hearing lawsuits against the states

27th - Congressional pay raises take effect after election