unit 1 AP Gov

1st

freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

2nd

right to keep and bear arms

3rd

bans quartering of soliders

4th

bans unreasonable searches and seizures

5th

right to due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy, grand jury

6th

right to fair and speedy trial

7th

right to jury trial in civil lawsuits

8th

bans cruel and unusual punishment, no excessive fines or bails

9th

Non enumerated rights rights retained by the people; government cannot infringe people's rights

10th

Rights reserved to states or people

11th

immunity of states being sued by non-residents of that state (suits against states)

12th

president and vice are elected separately

13th

abolishes slavery

14th

defines citizenship, equal protection

15th

Right to vote not denied by race

16th

income tax

17th

senators are directly elected

18th

prohibition of alcohol (repealed by 21st)

19th

women's suffrage

20th

sets the start dates for presidential and congressional positions

21st

repeals 18th amendment

22nd

limits president to 2 terms

23rd

Provides representation for DC

24th

Prohibits poll taxes

25th

defines process of presidential disability and succession

26th

18 is national voting age

27th

Changes in congressional salary take effect on its next term

Article 1

legislative (congress)

Article 2

Exerciutive (President)

Article 3

Judicial (supreme court)

Article 4

Full Faith and credit clause

Article 5

amending the constitution

Article 6

Supremecry clause

Article 7

Ratification

Direct (Participatory)

Democracy

a government in which all or most citizens participate directly

Pluralist Democracy

recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making.

Elite Democracy

decisions are made by elected representatives acting as trustees.

Faction

A groups with a distinct political interest

New Jersey Plan

Proposal to create a weak national government

Virginia Plan

Proposal to create a strong national government

Great compromise

Created a bicameral congress, House of Representatives and senate

Electoral college

Created an inderect system to elect the president

Checks and balances

constitutional ability of multiple branches of government to limit each other's power

Separation of powers

Sharing of constitutional authority by multiple branches of government

Republicanism

Government in which representatives are chosen by citizens to make laws and policies

Popular sovereignty

Power is vested in the people and that those chosen to govern, as trustees of power, must exercise it in conformity with the general will

Social contract

People agree to be governed

Reasons for impeachment

1.treason

2.bribery

3. other high crimes or misdemeanors

Grants in aid

Money given by the federal government to state and local governments to fund specific programs or projects

Incentives

A valued benefit obtained by joining a political organization. Solidarybgifts the social rewards that lead to people to join local or state political organizations

Federal Revenue Sharing

A program where the federal government gave money directly to state and local governments with no strings attached

Mandates

requirements imposed by the national govt on state and local governments to comply with federal rules and regulations

Categorical grants

A federal grant given to state and local governments that can only be used for specific, narrowly defined purposes

Block grants

A large sum of money granted by the national govt to a regional government with only general provisions as to the way it is to be spent

Commerce clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with Native American tribes

Necessary and proper clause

This clause allows Congress to stretch its powers beyond what is explicitly listed in the Constitution

McCulloch v Maryland

• Maryland tried to tax the Second Bank of the United States.

• James McCulloch, a bank cashier, refused to pay the tax

• Could Congress create a national bank? Could a state tax it?

Supreme Court Decision:

• Yes – Congress could create a national bank.

• No – Maryland could not tax it.

1. Necessary & Proper Clause

2. Supremacy Clause

United States v. Lopez

• A high school student (Lopez) brought a gun to school in Texas.

• He was charged under the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, which Congress passed using its Commerce Clause power.

• Did Congress have authority under the Commerce Clause to ban guns in school zones?

Supreme Court Decision:

• No. The law exceeded Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause.

• Carrying a gun in a school zone is not an economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce.

Constitutional Principles:

1. Commerce Clause: Limited — Congress can’t stretch it to regulate non-economic activity.

2. Reinforced the 10th Amendment → reserved powers to the states.

Legislative

Makes laws

Judicial

Judicial review

Executive

Enforces the laws

General welfare clause

Broadly interpreted to allow federal spending on programs that promote the well-being of citizens (e.g., Social Security, Medicare, federal education funding).