AP Government and Politics Study Guide

Assessment Type: 40 multiple choice questions on a Scantron and two short answer questions from a choice of three.

Articles of Confederation
- Overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
- Key arguments of both groups regarding the ratification of the Constitution.

Great Compromise
- Established a bicameral legislature: Senate (equal representation) and House of Representatives (based on population).
3/5 Compromise
- Counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for legislative representation and taxation.
Necessary and Proper Clause
- Grants Congress the ability to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its powers, also known as the elastic clause.
Federalism Definition
- A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (like states).

Authorship: Written primarily by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support the ratification of the Constitution.

Significance: Established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution.

Powers include enforcing laws, conducting diplomacy, and commanding the military.

Powers include interpreting laws, adjudicating disputes, and safeguarding rights granted by the Constitution.

Enumerated or Expressed Powers
- Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution (e.g., taxing, spending, regulating commerce).
Bill of Attainder
- A legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without trial (forbidden by the Constitution).
Concurrent Powers
- Powers shared by both the federal and state governments (e.g., taxation).
Due Process Clause
- Prohibits the government from unfairly or arbitrarily depriving a person of life, liberty, or property.
Reserved Powers
- Powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, reserved for the states (Tenth Amendment).

McCulloch v. Maryland
- Established the supremacy of federal laws over state laws and affirmed the implied powers of Congress.
Gibbons v. Ogden
- Upheld the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
Plessy v. Ferguson
- Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, permitting racial segregation.

Revenue Sharing
- Distribution of a portion of federal tax revenues to state and local governments with few restrictions.
Pork Barrel Spending
- The allocation of government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.
Log-Rolling
- The practice of exchanging political favors, especially in the legislative context, often involving mutual support for different legislative projects.
Filibuster
- A political procedure where one or more members of parliament or congress delay or prevent a vote on a proposal.
Gerrymandering
- The practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party.
Majority-Minority District
- A district where the majority of the constituents belong to a racial or ethnic minority group.
Shaw v. Reno
- Supreme Court case that ruled against racial gerrymandering and upheld the Voting Rights Act.
Incumbency Advantages
- Benefits that current officeholders have over challengers, including name recognition, access to campaign finance, and established relationships.
Pocket Veto
- A special type of veto where the president does not sign a bill into law within 10 days while Congress is adjourned.

Definition: Organizations that raise and spend money to elect political candidates or promote political causes, often representing specific interests or industries.

The Vice President acts as the President of the Senate, casts tie-breaking votes, and assumes the presidency if the President is unable to serve.

Signing: If the President signs a bill, it becomes law.
Veto: If the President does not sign a bill within 10 days while Congress is in session, it automatically becomes law. If Congress adjourns, it results in a pocket veto.

Definition: Government programs that provide benefits to individuals meeting certain eligibility criteria, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Definition of Budget Deficit: A financial situation in which expenditures exceed revenues.
- Solutions: Can include raising taxes, cutting spending, or increasing borrowing.

Gridlock: The inability of government to act due to numerous conflicts in Congress making it difficult to reach an agreement.
Bipartisanship: Cooperation between different political parties to achieve a common goal, often resulting in more effective governance.

Significance: Limits the President to two terms in office, aiming to prevent any single individual from holding too much power over an extended period.

Executive Orders: Directives issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government.
Executive Privilege: The right of the President and other high-level executive branch officials to keep certain communications private, particularly if they relate to national security or the performance of their official duties.