APGOV Study.

What is Federalist No. 10 primarily concerned with?

The dangers of factions and how a large republic can mitigate their effects.

What is the main argument of Brutus No. 1?

That a large republic would be detrimental to individual liberties and lead to tyranny.

What document declared the American colonies' independence from Britain?

The Declaration of Independence.

What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

To establish a loose confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government.

What is the significance of the Constitution of the United States?

It established the framework of the federal government and is the supreme law of the land.

What does Federalist 51 argue about the structure of government?

It argues for the separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

What is the main theme of the Letter from Birmingham Jail?

The necessity of nonviolent protest against unjust laws.

What does Federalist No. 70 advocate for?

A strong, energetic executive leader.

What is the focus of Federalist No. 78?

The importance of an independent judiciary and the power of judicial review.

What landmark case established the principle of judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison (1803).

What was the outcome of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

It affirmed the supremacy of federal laws over state laws and upheld the implied powers of Congress.

What did Schenck v. United States (1919) establish regarding free speech?

It established the 'clear and present danger' test for limiting free speech.

What was the significance of Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

It declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

What did Baker v. Carr (1961) address?

It addressed issues of redistricting and the principle of 'one person, one vote'.

What was the ruling in Engel v. Vitale (1962)?

It ruled that school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause.

What right was affirmed in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)?

The right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases.

What was the outcome of Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)?

It affirmed students' rights to free speech in public schools.

What did New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) protect?

It protected the freedom of the press against prior restraint.

What was the ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?

It upheld the right of Amish parents to refuse compulsory education for their children.

What did Roe v. Wade (1973) establish?

It established a woman's legal right to have an abortion.

What was the significance of Shaw v. Reno (1993)?

It ruled against racial gerrymandering and upheld the principle of equal protection.

What did United States v. Lopez (1995) limit?

It limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

What was the ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)?

It ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts cannot be limited.

What does the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) aim to achieve?

It aims to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

What is the primary concern of Anti-Federalists?

They were concerned about the potential for a strong central government to infringe on individual liberties.

What is the definition of a bicameral legislature?

A legislature with two chambers, such as the U.S. Congress (House of Representatives and Senate).

What is a bill of attainder?

A legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial.

What are block grants?

Federal funds provided to states for broad purposes with fewer restrictions.

What are categorical grants?

Federal funds provided to states for specific purposes with more restrictions.

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

To ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

What is the Clean Air Act (1970)?

A federal law aimed at controlling air pollution on a national level.

What does the Commerce Clause allow Congress to do?

It allows Congress to regulate commerce among the states and with foreign nations.

What are concurrent powers?

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state governments.

What is cooperative federalism?

A system where federal and state governments work together to solve problems.

What does the Elastic Clause enable Congress to do?

It allows Congress to make laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its powers.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President.

What is the concept of popular sovereignty?

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

What is the Supremacy Clause?

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.

What is the significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

It aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans.

What does the term 'judicial review' refer to?

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

To protect individual liberties and rights from government infringement.

What does the term 'gerrymandering' mean?

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

What is the difference between de facto and de jure segregation?

De facto segregation occurs by social practice, while de jure segregation is enforced by law.

What is the Miranda rule?

The requirement that individuals taken into police custody must be informed of their rights.

What does the term 'civil liberties' refer to?

Individual rights protected by law from unjust governmental interference.

What is the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

What does the term 'affirmative action' refer to?

Policies that seek to improve opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

What is the role of political action committees (PACs)?

To raise and spend money to elect or defeat political candidates.

What is the purpose of exit polls?

To predict the outcome of an election by surveying voters as they leave polling places.

What is the meaning of 'lame-duck president'?

A president who is nearing the end of their term and whose successor has already been elected.

What is the 'free rider' problem?

A situation where individuals benefit from resources, goods, or services without paying for them.

What is 'soft money' in political campaigns?

Money donated to political parties for general purposes, not regulated by federal law.

What is the significance of the 'clear and present danger' doctrine?

It determines when speech can be limited by the government.

What is the purpose of a focus group in political campaigns?

To gather opinions and feedback from a small group of people on specific issues or candidates.

What does the term 'incumbency advantage' refer to?

The electoral advantage held by current officeholders.

What is the role of a committee chairperson in Congress?

To lead committee meetings and oversee the legislative process within the committee.

What is the significance of the 'right to privacy' in American law?

It protects individuals from government intrusion into personal matters.

What is the purpose of the 'separation of powers'?

To divide government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.

What does 'judicial activism' refer to?

The philosophy that courts should interpret the Constitution in a way that promotes social change.

What is the 'trustee role' of a legislator?

To make decisions based on their own judgment and the needs of the constituents.

What is the 'politico role' of a legislator?

To act as both a delegate and a trustee, balancing constituent interests with personal views.

What is the purpose of a 'discharge petition' in Congress?

To bring a bill out of committee for a vote by the full House.

What is the significance of the 'majority opinion' in a Supreme Court ruling?

It represents the official decision of the Court and establishes precedent.

What does 'stare decisis' mean?

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

What is the purpose of the 'State of the Union' address?

To inform Congress and the public about the current condition of the nation and outline the President's legislative agenda.

What is the 'veto' power?

The power of the President to reject legislation passed by Congress.

What is 'redistricting'?

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.

What is the 'filibuster'?

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by prolonging debate.

What does 'gridlock' refer to in politics?

A situation where there is difficulty passing laws due to partisan conflict.

What is the 'pocket veto'?

A special type of veto that occurs when the President does not sign a bill into law within ten days and Congress adjourns.

What is 'political socialization'?

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.

What is the 'winner-take-all' voting system?

An electoral system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins all the delegates or electoral votes.

What does 'realignment' refer to in political parties?

A significant and lasting shift in the party system, often involving changes in voter loyalty.

What is 'patronage'?

The practice of giving government jobs and appointments to political supporters.

What is the 'three-fifths compromise'?

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

What is the 'separation of church and state'?

The principle that government must maintain an attitude of neutrality toward religion.

What is the 'Civil Rights movement'?

A struggle for social justice and equality for African Americans and other marginalized groups.

What does 'due process clause' guarantee?

It guarantees that individuals will not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures.

What is the purpose of the 'exclusionary rule'?

To prevent illegally obtained evidence from being used in court.

What is the 'right to bear arms' as stated in the Second Amendment?

The right of individuals to possess weapons.

What does 'eminent domain' allow the government to do?

It allows the government to take private property for public use, with compensation.

What is 'suffrage'?

The right to vote in political elections.

What is 'affirmative action'?

Policies that aim to increase opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

What is the 'pro-choice movement'?

A movement advocating for a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.

What is the 'pro-life movement'?

A movement advocating for the protection of unborn children and opposing abortion.

What is the significance of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972?

It prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities.

What does 'symbolic speech' refer to?

Actions that purposefully convey a particular message or statement to those viewing it.

What is the 'grandfather clause'?

A provision that allowed individuals to bypass literacy tests or other voting requirements if their ancestors had the right to vote before the Civil War.

What is 'hate speech'?

Speech that attacks a person or group based on attributes such as race, religion, or sexual orientation.

What is the 'clear and present danger' test?

A standard for determining when speech can be limited based on the potential harm it may cause.

What is the 'public safety exception' to Miranda rights?

An exception that allows law enforcement to question a suspect without reading them their rights if public safety is at risk.

What is 'double jeopardy'?

The legal principle that prohibits an individual from being tried twice for the same offense.

What does 'civil rights' refer to?

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

What is the 'establishment clause'?

A clause in the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

What does 'search warrant' mean?

A legal document authorizing law enforcement to conduct a search of a person or property.

What is 'de jure segregation'?

Segregation enforced by law.

What is 'de facto segregation'?

Segregation that occurs in practice but not enforced by law.

What is 'libel'?

A written false statement that defames someone's character.

What is 'slander'?

A spoken false statement that defames someone's character.

What is the 'right to privacy'?

The right to keep personal matters private and free from government intrusion.