AP GOV UNIT 1

understand the crisis that made the need for a new Constitution

key weaknesses of Articles of Confederation:

- could not levy taxes or regulate commerce

- each state had one vote in Congress and 9 of 13 votes were required to pass any measure (delegates were selected by state legislatures)

- Congress had the power to make peace (made treaty with England in 1783)

- Had power to “coin money, but there was precious little to coin”

- Could appoint key army officers, but the army was small and depended for support on independent state militias

- John Hancock was the first president under the AOC but he never took office

review various compromises used in the Constitution

different compromises to settle debates at the Constitutional Convention

influence other crisis that influenced making of Constitution (Shays rebellion, etc)

Shay’s Rebellion: response to a debt crisis among the citizenry and in opposition to the state government's increased efforts to collect taxes on both individuals and their trades

major concerns for the anti-Federalists

influence of Enlightenment philosophers (Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Rousseau, etc)

“Philosophes” - specifically 18th century French Enlightenment

“Philosophers” - broader term/ references all thinkers thru time

I’m assuming he’s stressing this since there’s a question with a non-French Enlightenment thinker

many questions on different compromises

significance of Commerce and Slave Trade Clause and what it is and why it was necessary to include

review checks and balances

enumerated or delegated powers

Enumerated Powers =

Delegated Powers =

how government is categorized

Power Distribution: dictatorship vs. democracy

Dictatorship= one person, all power/ no legislature

Democracy= power given to the people

Geographic Distribution: federalism vs. unitary vs. confederate

Federalism= power evenly split b/w nat. and state govts

Unitary= most power in nat. govt/state govts have no power

Confederate= most power in state govts loosely connected

Relationship b/w Executive and Legislative Branch: parliamentary vs. presidential

Parliamentary= executive can dissolve legislature

Presidential= executive and legislative equal/ checks other

key idea behind 10th Amendment:

powers not given explicitly to the national government is for the states and the people

court cases: McCulloch v. Maryland: understand importance

ruled that the federal government has implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause to charter a national bank

states cannot tax federal institutions

nullification crisis - what does nullification mean/how does it work

cooperative federalism

a system where national, state, and local governments work together, share responsibilities, and pool resources to implement policies and address problems, rather than having strictly separated powers

federal mandates and why are they so dang controversial

programs are implemented but sometimes no money is given

review court cases that overview the issues of the powers between the national government and state governments

US v. Lopez - ruling that a federal law banning guns near schools was unconstitutional because possessing a gun on school property does not have a significant effect on interstate commerce - first time the Court had restricted Congress's broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause, reinforcing the idea of federalism and the division of powers between the federal government and the states.

Printz v. U.S. - courts ruled that the federal government could not uphold the Brady Act (act to perform background checks on handgun carriers) because it would be forcing state officials to uphold federal regulatory programs

Arizona v. US - (2010) Court ruled that only the federal government and national state governments may regulate immigration laws and enforcement.

categorical vs block grants

Advocates of categorical grants believe they allow for greater federal oversight - specific grants with strict guidelines from the government

Advocates of block grants - broad guidelines, allow states to decide where the money needs to be spent specifically

Definition and model of dual federalism vs cooperative federalism

How are they different and distinct from each other

Role of Necessary and Proper Clause in federal system

Grants Congress implied powers, allowing it to make laws that are convenient or useful for carrying out its 18 enumerated powers, enabling the federal government to adapt and respond to new challenges and maintain a dynamic relationship with state governments