AP Gov Unit 1-4

What document justified the colonists’ break from Great Britain?

The Declaration of Independence.

What document established federalism and the three branches of government?

The Constitution.

What is the social contract?

A mutual agreement between people and government balancing rights and safety.

Who developed the idea of natural law and what does it mean?

John Locke; people are born free and equal with natural rights.

What are the three natural rights listed in the Constitution?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

What is popular sovereignty?

The belief that people are the ultimate ruling authority.

What does “consent of the governed” mean?

Government power comes from the people’s consent.

What is republicanism?

A system maintaining popular sovereignty through elected representatives.

What was Brutus No. 1 about?

AntiFederalist argument warning that the national government would gain too much power.

Who wrote Federalist No. 10, and what did it argue?

James Madison; large republics control the effects of factions.

What defines a participatory democracy?

Direct participation by citizens in political decisions.

What defines a pluralist democracy?

Influence of factions or interest groups on decisions.

What defines an elite democracy?

Power is held by wealthy and educated elites.

What is limited government?

A system that restricts government powers through the Constitution.

What did Anti-Federalists believe?

In a small, decentralized republic with state power.

What did Federalists believe?

In a large, strong republic to control factions.

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The first U.S. government system (1776–1789) where states held most power.

What did Shay’s Rebellion expose?

The weaknesses of the Articles, especially the lack of a national military.

Name three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

No power to tax, no executive branch, and one vote per state.

What does Article V of the Constitution explain?

The amendment process (⅔ proposal, ¾ ratification).

What was the Great Compromise?

Created a bicameral legislature: Senate (equal) and House (population

What is the Electoral College?

State-chosen electors formally elect the president and vice president.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Each enslaved person counted as ⅗ of a person for representation and taxation.

Who wrote Federalist No. 51 and what did it argue?

James Madison; separation of powers and checks and balances prevent tyranny.

What are the three branches of government and their roles?

Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), Judicial (interprets laws).

What are checks and balances?

Powers that let each branch limit the others to prevent dominance.

What does Article IV ensure between states?

“Full faith and credit” for other states’ laws and federal protection.

What is federalism?

Division of power between national and state governments.

What are delegated powers?

Powers belonging only to the national government.

What are reserved powers?

Powers kept by the states.

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by both state and federal governments.

What is a categorical grant?

Federal aid with specific restrictions or rules.

What is a block grant?

Federal aid with broad flexibility.

What is a mandate?

A federal requirement states must meet, sometimes with funding.

What is federal revenue sharing?

Distribution of federal tax revenue to states.

What did McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) establish?

The supremacy clause and Congress’s implied powers.

What did U.S. v. Lopez (1995) rule?

Congress overstepped the commerce clause when banning guns in schools.

What does the Tenth Amendment state?

Powers not given to the federal government belong to states or the people.

What does the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee?

Citizenship, equal protection, and due process for all born in the U.S.

What is the Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause?

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its duties.

What is the Commerce Clause?

Gives Congress power to regulate interstate trade.

What does “federalism in action” refer to?

Policy-making that involves both national and state governments.

What document established the bicameral legislature?

Article I of the Constitution.

How many Senators are there, and how long are their terms?

100 Senators, six year terms.

How many Representatives are there, and how long are their terms?

435 Representatives, two year terms.

Who leads the Senate?

The Vice President (President of the Senate) and the President Pro Tempore.

Who leads the House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House.

Why is the legislative process slow by design?

To ensure compromise and careful review of laws.

Who can introduce a bill?

Only a member of Congress.

What is the Committee of the Whole?

The entire House reviewing bill details.

What does the House Rules Committee do?

Controls the flow and schedule of House legislation.

What is the purpose of committees in Congress?

To perform oversight and review the work of the executive branch.

Which type of committee is permanent and topic-focused?

Standing Committee.

Which committee includes members of both houses?

Joint Committee.

Which committee is temporary and issue-based?

Select Committee.

Which committee resolves bill differences between House and Senate?

Conference Committee.

What is the trustee model of representation?

Representatives use their own judgment.

What is the delegate model of representation?

Representatives follow the will of their constituents.

What is the politico model of representation?

A blend of trustee and delegate models.

What is redistricting?

Adjusting electoral district boundaries.

What is gerrymandering?

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a party.

What is gridlock?

Inaction in government due to division and lack of compromise.

What did Baker v. Carr (1961) establish?

The “one person, one vote” principle and judicial review of redistricting.

What did Shaw v. Reno (1993) rule?

Redistricting based solely on race is unconstitutional.

What document defines presidential powers?

Article II of the Constitution.

What is a veto?

The President’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

What is a pocket veto?

When a President ignores a bill for 10 days, preventing it from becoming law.

What is a signing statement?

A written interpretation of a law by the President.

What is the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement?

Treaties need Senate approval; executive agreements do not.

What is an executive order?

A presidential directive with the force of law, not needing Congressional approval.

What is the difference between formal and informal presidential powers?

Formal = Constitutional powers; Informal = Implied or political powers.

What is required for presidential nominations?

Senate approval.

What is the President’s Cabinet?

Heads of 15 executive departments; require Senate confirmation.

Who are the White House staff, and do they need Senate approval?

Advisors and assistants to the President; no Senate approval required.

What did Federalist No. 70 argue for?

A strong, singular executive for efficiency and accountability.

What does the 22nd Amendment establish?

A two term limit for Presidents.

What did the War Powers Act (1973) do?

Limited the President’s power to deploy armed forces.

What right did Lincoln suspend during the Civil War?

Habeas Corpus.

What is the State of the Union Address?

The President’s annual message setting policy goals.

What is the bully pulpit?

The President’s ability to promote their agenda directly to the public.

How has social media changed presidential communication?

It allows faster, direct communication with citizens.

What document established the judicial branch?

Article III of the Constitution.

What did Marbury v. Madison (1803) establish?

Judicial review.

What is judicial review?

The Supreme Court’s power to declare laws unconstitutional.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 create?

The three levels of federal courts: district, appellate, and Supreme Court.

Who was John Marshall, and what did he do?

Chief Justice who strengthened the judicial branch and established the supremacy clause.

Who appoints federal judges?

The President.

Who confirms judicial nominees?

The Senate (by simple majority).

What is precedent?

A legal ruling that guides future cases.

What is stare decisis?

The principle of following precedent: “let the decision stand.”

Which case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson?

Brown v. Board of Education.

What is court-curbing?

Efforts by Congress or the President to limit the Court’s power.

Who enforces Supreme Court rulings?

The President and executive branch.

How does partisanship affect the Court?

Justices may be influenced by ideological leanings.

What is judicial activism?

The belief that judges should protect rights even if not explicit in the Constitution.

What is judicial restraint?

The belief that judges should defer policy decisions to other branches.

What are presidential checks on the judiciary?

Judicial nominations.

What are legislative checks on the judiciary?

Changing court jurisdiction, amending the Constitution, or court curbing.

What is the bureaucracy?

Non elected officials who implement government policies.

What is the civil service system based on?

Merit, not political connections.