AP American Government and Politics Chapter 1 Quiz *Now Chapter 1 & 2 Test*

Government

The institutions through which public policies are made and carried out

Direct Democracy

Every citizen votes directly for laws (greece)

Representative Democracy:

Citizens vote for people to represent them and make laws (rome) - republic

Oligarchy

Government is ruled by a small group

Autocracy

Sing ruler with unlimited power; absolute monarchy (king or Queen), dictatorship

Three Basic Functions that Must Be Accomplished by Every Government

1. Make Policies. 2. Enforce Policies. 3. Settle disputes regarding the policies.

Politics

The struggle over who gets what, when, where, and how

The Participatory Model

Stresses the ability of the induvial action to impact the political system. Ex. voting, protest, and jury duty.

Referendum

Citizens can vote for laws

Recall

Twenty states that allow citizens to remove Governors early.

The Pluralist Model

Stresses the ability of group/cooperative action to impact the political system. Ex. Joining political parties, joining an interest group.

What happens when there is little cooperation in the Pluralism model?

Hyper-pluralism results and gridlock occurs

The Elite Model

Stresses the ability of an extreme minority of American society, often the most educated and most wealthy, have the ability to substantially impact the political system. Ex. Elon Musk

Enlightenment

Thinking of things critically instead of using religion

Political Culture

Shared attitudes, beliefs, values, and ethics that influence our thoughts on how the government should operate

Natural Rights

People possess rights that government cannot take away (ex. life, liberty, and property.)

Popular Sovereignty

Government's power comes from the people (popular consent)

Republicanism

Rulers supposed to serve in the best interests of the people

Individualism

Belief that life condition is the product of your own hard work

Distrust of Government

Citizens are skeptical of the intentions of government and its officials. (Ex. Vietnam, Nixon and Watergate)

American Exceptionalism

The belief that Americans are different and live the correct way. (With diving blessing) (Ex. Manifest Destiny, Imperialism, the Cold War)

Political Ideology

Values, principles, and beliefs shared by smaller groups

Political Spectrum

A model that highlights the range of people's political spectrum

Conservative

More economic freedom = Less government involvement

Less personal freedom = More government involvement

Liberal

Less economic freedom = More government involvement

More personal freedom = Less government involvement

Libertarian

Greater economic freedom = Less government involvement

Greater personal freedom = Less government involvement

Positives of Political Ideology

Helps people make political decisions

Negatives of Political Ideology

Increases political polarization (division)

Political Socialization

The process by which an individual acquires their political thoughts & beliefs

Most Influential Forces of Political Socialization

Family, media, peers

How long did the AOC last?

From 1777 to 1787

How long has the Constitution lasted?

From 1787 to present.

Influence on the AOC

Experiences with England

Influence on the Constitution

Failures of the AOC

Sovereignty in the AOC

States were sovereign and the national government was weak

Sovereignty in the Constitution

National government is sovereign

Supremacy Clause

If states are doing something that goes against the national government, the national government will win.

Executive Branch in the AOC

No national leader

Executive Branch in the Constitution

A single, powerful President is created.

Judicial branch: AOC

Every state had their own court system; no national court system.

Judicial branch: Constitution

States keep their courts, but a federal judicial system is also created.

Legislative branch: AOC

Congress was unicameral, or composed of one house (part). Each state was given 1 vote.

Legislative branch: Constitution

Virginia plan, New Jersey plan, and the Great Compromise

Virginia plan

A bicameral (2 part) Congress; each house would be based on a state’s population. Proposed by bigger states.

New Jersey plan

Each state would have 1 vote in a unicameral Congress.

The Great Compromise

A bicameral Congress would be created: one house would be called the House of Representatives and be based on the state’s population, and the other house would be called the Senate where each state has two Senators.

Law Making: AOC

9/13 needed to agree to pass a law.

Law Making: Constitution

51% of Congress need to agree to pass a law.

Power to Tax: AOC

Only state governments had the power to tax the citizens; national government could ask states for $.

Power to Tax: Constitution

The State and National governments could tax the citizens.

3/5 Compromise

3/5 of a Southern state’s slave population would count towards taxes and representation.

Slavery: AOC

Left up to individual states; no government intervention

Slavery: Constitution

Original Constitution does not prohibit slavery. However, in 1807, it was declared the last year where slaves could be imported into the country. Not fully abolished until the 13th amendment was ratified in 1865.

Power to Coin Money: AOC

Each state made their own money

Power to Coin Money: Constitution

National government prints a uniform currency

Military Powers: AOC

Congress could only ask states for troops.

Shay’s Rebellion

In 1786, angry farmers, many from the Revolutionary War, revolted because paper currency was deemed worthless and no longer accepted by banks.

Military Powers: Constitution

Powerful National military

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws passed to punish people for something they were doing while legal; but is now illegal.

Could Ex Post Facto Laws be passed: AOC

It was possible; Congress could pass it.

Could Ex Post Facto Laws be passed: Constitution

Forbidden; directly addressed.

Bills of Attainder

Laws passed by Congress that declares a person or group guilty without a judicial court trial.

Could Bills of Attainder laws be passed: AOC

Possible

Could Bills of Attainder laws be passed: Constitution

Forbidden

Amendment Process: AOC

13/13 needed to agree to for the government to be formally changed.

Amendment Process: Constitution

A shared process between the national government (2/3) and the states (3/4)

The process of ratifying the Constitution

9/13 states have to ratify the Constitution for it to become the new land of the law.

Federalists

Defended Constitution; supported stronger national government

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution; national government will have too much power again and states won’t have enough power.