AP Gov Midterm

Outline the key proposals of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan and identify what elements were adopted in the Great Compromise

Virginia plan wanted proportional representation and New Jersey Plan wanted equal representation. The compromise merged these and created a bicameral legislature with the House and Senate.

Explain limited government

The concept that government power is restricted by the constitution to protect the natural rights and liberties of citizens.

Identify the main subjects outlined in Article I, Article II and Article III of the Constitution

These establish the 3 branches of government: Article 1 (Legislative), Article 2 (Executive), and Article 3 3 (Judicial).

Identify reasons why the Federalists supported ratification and the Anti-Federalists opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Federalists supported the constitution and strong central government. Anti-Federalists opposed it, fearing tyranny and demanding a Bill of Rights

Define federalism and explain how it differs from a unitary system and a confederate system

Divides power between national and state governments. Unitary is centralized power and confederate is state dominated power systems.

Define and provide examples of enumerated powers in the Constitution

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the feral government like power to coin money or declare war

Define and provide examples of implied powers in the Constitution

Powers not stated in the constitution but are given through the necessary and proper clause, like creating a national bank.

Define delegated powers and powers represented for each.

Powers granted to the national government by the constitution. (Includes both expressed and implied powers)

Define reserved powers and powers represented for each.

Under the 10th Amendment, these are powers kept solely by the states, such as managing public education and police powers

Define concurrent powers and powers represented for each.

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, like the power to tax, borrow money and establish courts

Explain how the following provision in the constitution pertain to interstate relations:the full faith and credit clause and the privileges and immunities clause

The Full Faith and Credit Clause requires states to recognize the public acts and judicial proceedings of other states, while the privileges and immunities clause prevents states from discriminating against out-of-state citizens

Explain how cooperative federalism led to the growth of the national government at the expense of the states

This “marble cake” mode, led to national government growth by allowing federal agencies to influence state policies through shared costs and administrative responsibilities

Describe how the federal government uses Categorical grants (cite an example) and earmarks (cite an example) to influence state and local government policies

The federal government uses categorical grants (e.g., Head Start) for specific purposes and earmarks (directing funds to specific districts) to incentivize state compliance with national goals.

Define devolution and explain how the use of block grants impacts federalism

Devolution returns power to the states; block grants support this by providing federal funds with fewer restrictions, granting states greater policy-making flexibility.

Define judicial federalism

This refers to the division of power between state and federal courts, where state courts can provide more protections than the U.S. Constitution but cannot provide fewer.

How has the Interstate Commerce clause been used to either expand or contract the influence of the federal government

This has historically expanded federal power by allowing Congress to regulate nearly any activity that has a "substantial effect" on interstate trade (e.g., Gibbons v. Ogden).

How has the interstate Necessary and Proper Clause been used to either expand or contract the influence of the federal government

Often called the "Elastic Clause," this expands federal influence by allowing Congress to pass laws essential for carrying out its enumerated powers.

How has Spending Power been used to either expand or contract the influence of the federal government

Congress expands its influence by attaching "strings" (conditions of aid) to federal funding, effectively forcing states to adopt certain policies to receive money.

How has the Supremacy Clause been used to either expand or contract the influence of the federal government

This expands national power by establishing that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws.

How has the 10th Amendment been used to either expand or contract the influence of the federal government

This generally contracts federal influence by reserving all powers not specifically delegated to the national government to the states or the people.

17th Amendment

This changed the Senate from a body appointed by state legislatures to one directly elected by the people, increasing popular sovereignty.

How is census used for congressional representation?

The census counts the population every 10 years to determine reapportionment (the number of House seats per state), which triggers redistricting (redrawing district boundaries).

How is reappointment used for congressional representation?

Reapportionment is the redistribution of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the states every ten years based on U.S. Census data to ensure proportional representation and determine the number of electors each state receives in the Electoral College.

How is redistricting used for congressional representation?

Speaker of the House

The most powerful leader in the House, responsible for presiding over sessions, assigning bills to committees, and maintaining party order.

Majority Leader

These leaders serve as the main spokespersons for their parties, directing legislative strategies and floor debates.

Minority Leader

Leader of the lesser party

President Pro Tempore

Traditionally the most senior member of the majority party in the Senate, they preside over the chamber in the Vice President's absence.

Vice President

Serves as the formal President of the Senate, holding the power to cast a tie-breaking vote but otherwise not participating in debate.

Whips

Party leaders who act as "enforcers," counting votes and pressuring members to vote according to the party line.

Filibuster

A filibuster is a Senate tactic to delay a vote through continuous talking

Cloture

Ends filibuster; requires vote of 60 senators

Oversight function

Congress uses its committee system to monitor how the executive branch and federal agencies are implementing and enforcing enacted laws.

War powers resolution

A law intended to limit the president's power to commit troops to combat without congressional notification and eventual approval.

Delegate

A delegate votes strictly according to constituent wishes

Politco models

involves balancing constituent, party, and personal views depending on the issue.

Formal powers

Formal powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution (e.g., the veto)

Informal powers

informal powers are implied or inherent (e.g., executive orders and agreements).

12th amendment

This required the Electoral College to cast separate ballots for President and Vice President, preventing ties between running mates.

20th amendment

Known as the "Lame Duck" amendment, it shortened the time between the election and inauguration by moving the start date to January.

Pendleton Act/Civil Service Reform Act of 1883

Ended the "spoils system" by requiring that federal jobs be awarded based on merit and competitive exams rather than political patronage

Iron Traingles

The mutually beneficial relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group to dominate policy-making in a specific area.

Explain how and why bureaucrats make policy, including the roles of discretionary authority, implementation, and rule making

Bureaucrats use discretionary authority to decide how to implement laws and rule-making to create specific regulations that carry the force of law.

Interest Groups

Organized groups of people who share common goals and attempt to influence public policy through lobbying, litigation, and providing information to legislators.

Article III

Establishes the Supreme Court and grants Congress the power to create lower federal courts, while providing federal judges with life tenure during "good behavior."

Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case, which can be original (hearing a case for the first time) or appellate (reviewing a lower court's decision).

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare legislative acts or executive actions unconstitutional, a power claimed by the Court in Marbury v. Madison.

Declaration of Independence

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, it establishes the philosophical foundations of American democracy, including natural rights, popular sovereignty, and the social contract.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. governing document which created a weak central government with no executive branch or power to tax, eventually leading to its replacement by the Constitution.

U.S. Constituion

Established a stronger federal government organized into three branches with a system of checks and balances and separation of powers.

Federalist #10

Written by James Madison, it argues that a large republic is the best way to control the "mischiefs of factions" by diluting their power through geographic and interest diversity.

Brutus #1

An Anti-Federalist essay arguing that a large republic would lead to tyranny and that the Necessary and Proper Clauseand Supremacy Clause gave the federal government too much power over the states.

Federalist #51

Madison explains how the structure of the new government, specifically through checks and balances and federalism, ensures that "ambition must be made to counteract ambition."

Federalist #70

Alexander Hamilton argues for a single, energetic unitary executive (President) to ensure accountability and decisive action during times of crisis.

Federalist #78

Hamilton argues for an independent judiciary with life tenure to protect the Constitution from legislative encroachments, introducing the concept of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Established federal supremacy over states and confirmed that Congress has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause to carry out its constitutional duties.

U.S. v. Lopez

Marked a shift toward "New Federalism" by ruling that Congress had exceeded its authority under the Commerce Clausewhen passing the Gun-Free School Zones Act

Baker v. Carr

Established the "one person, one vote" principle, ruling that the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over legislative redistricting to ensure equal representation.

Shaw v. Reno

Ruled that while redistricting may take race into account, racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause if race is the "predominant factor" in drawing district lines.

Marbury v. Madison

This landmark case established the principle of judicial review, granting the Supreme Court the authority to declare acts of Congress or executive actions unconstitutional. It solidified the federal judiciary’s role as a co-equal branch of government and the final arbiter of the Constitution.