AP US Government & Politics: 1st Semester Final Review

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of district boundaries to give a political party or incumbent an advantage.

Packing

Concentrates opposing voters into one district.

Cracking

Spreads opposing voters across many districts to weaken their influence.

Declaration of Independence - Rights

Two rights listed are life and liberty (also pursuit of happiness).

Importance of Declaration of Independence

Establishes natural rights and the idea that government exists to protect the people's rights.

Articles of Confederation

Created a weak national government that could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.

Shays' Rebellion

Exposed flaws of the Articles of Confederation by showing the federal government could not maintain order.

Mandate

A federal requirement states must follow.

Unfunded Mandate

Forces states to comply without providing money, placing financial strain on them.

Separation of Powers

Divides government authority among the three branches.

Checks and Balances

Allows each branch to limit the others, preventing abuse of power.

Layer Cake Federalism

Has clearly divided state and federal powers.

Marble Cake Federalism

Has shared and overlapping responsibilities.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds with strict rules and specific purposes.

Block Grants

Give states more flexibility, which states generally prefer.

Types of Powers

Expressed, Implied, Reserved, and Concurrent powers.

Virginia Plan

Favored representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Favored equal representation.

Great Compromise

Combined both Virginia and New Jersey Plans into a bicameral legislature.

Federalists

Supported a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Feared tyranny and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalist #51

Explains checks and balances and separation of powers.

Federalist #10

Argues factions are inevitable but can be controlled in a large republic.

Qualifications for House

25 years old, 7 years a citizen, resident of state.

Qualifications for Senate

30 years old, 9 years a citizen, resident of state.

Brutus I

Argues a strong national government threatens liberty.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Ruled states cannot tax the federal government and upheld implied powers.

United States v. Lopez

Ruled Congress exceeded its commerce power by banning guns near schools.

Trustee

Uses personal judgment.

Delegate

Follows constituents' wishes.

Politico

Switches depending on the issue.

Speaker of the House

Leads the House and sets the agenda.

President Pro Tempore

Leads the Senate in the VP's absence.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic to delay a vote.

Federalist #70

Argues for a single, strong executive.

Checks on the Judicial Branch

The executive appoints judges; judiciary can declare laws unconstitutional.

Presidential Qualifications

Must be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a 14-year U.S. resident.

12th Amendment

Election process.

20th Amendment

Terms and succession.

22nd Amendment

Term limits.

25th Amendment

Presidential disability and succession.

Roles of the President

Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, Party Leader, Head of State.

Executive Orders

Direct federal agencies.

Executive Privilege

Protects confidential communications.

Executive Agreements

Treaties made without Senate approval.

Line-Item Veto

Allows canceling parts of a bill (not allowed).

Pocket Veto

Occurs when the president takes no action and Congress adjourns.

Bureaucracy as the "4th Branch"

Enforces laws, creates rules, and provides services.

Types of Federal Bureaucracies

Departments, regulatory agencies, government corporations, independent executive agencies.

Bureaucracy Controversy

Critics argue bureaucracies over-interpret laws.

Cabinet Departments

State: foreign relations; Defense: military; Treasury: finances.

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Jurisdiction

A court's authority to hear a case.

Criminal Law

Involves crimes against the state.

Civil Law

Involves disputes between individuals.

Federalist #78

Argues courts must be independent; judicial review protects the Constitution.