AP US Government Principles & Branches: Checks, Powers, and Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debates

What is the separation of powers designed to prevent?

Tyranny or excess power in a single group.

What is the purpose of the checks and balances system?

To ensure no branch gets too powerful by giving each branch control over each other.

How many total members are in congress?

535 (100 senators, 435 house).

What term labels the groups of legislators overseeing certain topics of law?

Committees.

What are four tasks performed by non-elected employees of the legislative branch?

Researching and drafting legislation, analyzing budgets, assisting constituents with problems, organizing committee hearings.

Define stakeholders.

Individuals or a group affected by a policy.

What is an access point in the policymaking process?

Any location where ordinary citizens can influence the government.

List four ways ordinary citizens can access their elected representatives.

Voting, contacting offices directly, town hall meetings, participation in advocacy groups.

How has the executive branch changed since George Washington's term?

It expanded in size and scope from a team of 4 cabinet secretaries to a federal bureaucracy.

List three ways citizens can access the executive branch.

Voting in presidential elections, direct correspondence, participation in federal agency rulemaking.

What are two examples of the judicial branch exercising its power?

Judicial review, checking the legislative branch.

List three reasons why citizens would access the judicial branch.

To protect individual rights, to challenge unconstitutional government actions, to resolve controversies under federal law.

What are the three basic functions of the three branches of government?

Legislative: Makes and passes laws; Executive: Enforces and administers laws; Judicial: Interprets laws and checks their constitutionality.

What is the term for when the president rejects a law passed by Congress?

Veto.

What happens if the president receives a bill from Congress after ten days without signing or vetoing it?

If Congress has adjourned, the bill dies in a pocket veto; if Congress is in session, the bill becomes a law.

What is it called when the president receives a bill at the end of a legislative session and does not sign it?

The bill automatically dies (Pocket veto).

How can Congress override a veto?

Through a 2/3 super majority override.

What is the power of 'advice and consent' in the Senate?

It allows the Senate to be consulted on and approve treaties and appointments made by the president.

How does the power of advice and consent support checks and balances?

It is a check from the legislative branch on the executive branch.

Describe the two-step process of impeachment.

Step 1: The House formally charges by a simple majority vote; Step 2: Senate conducts an impeachment trial requiring 2/3 of Senate to remove the President.

Why is impeachment an example of checks and balances?

It allows the legislative branch to check and monitor the executive and judicial branches.

What is Federalist #10 about?

It argues in favor of the Constitution and responds to the mischiefs of factions.

What does Brutus #1 argue?

It opposes ratification, claiming the government will be too big and too powerful.

What is the main argument of Federalist #51?

It supports ratification and emphasizes checks and balances.

What was the biggest concern when drafting the Constitution?

What powers the government needs to function without being tyrannical.

What do Federalists and Anti-Federalists represent?

Federalists favored the Constitution; Anti-Federalists opposed it.

What are factions according to Federalist No. 10?

Interest groups that cannot be eliminated but can be controlled.

What are some objections raised in Brutus #1?

Concerns about a single executive recreating tyranny, and the federal government being too large.

What is the principle of Separation of Powers?

Power is divided into three branches to limit authority.

What is the principle of Checks and Balances?

Each branch has limits and control over the others.

How many total members are in Congress?

535 members.

How many electoral votes does Washington D.C. have?

3 electoral votes.

How many total members does Maryland have in Congress?

10 total members (8 House members, 2 Senators).

How many House members does California have?

52 House members.

What does the Federalist #51 quote, 'If men were angels, no government would be necessary,' imply?

If people were perfect no goverment would be needed.

What is the legislative check on the executive branch?

Congress can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 supermajority.

What is the judicial review check?

The judicial branch can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.