AP government

Required documents

  • Brutus 1: To argue AGAINST the ratification of the constitution 

  • Feared it gave the federal  government absolute and uncontrolled power

  • Considered one of the anti federalist papers because he believed a true republic could only work in a small territory (states)

  • EXAM TIP: use for prompts mentioning popular sovereignty


  • The U.S Constitution 1787: Made to replace and create a stronger version of the articles of confederation, and create a strong federal government with defined limits and powers.

  • Created key principals helping keep the federal government, and states in check.

EXAM TIP: use for almost every prompt regarding government structure.

Articles of confederation 1781: Helped unify the 13 colonies make them live together more

  • Issues: It had to judicial, or executive branch, no power to tax, and no national army

  • EXAM TIP: usually cited to show why a stronger central government was necessary


Federalist 10 (James Madison): To argue that a large republic is the best way to prevent the mischiefs of factions 

  • Argued that factions (Special interest groups) are inevitable, but in a large republic there are so many different factions so no specific one can dominate the others

  • EXAM TIP: Use this to discuss a pluralist democracy and the benefits of a strong national government


Federalist 51(James Madison): To explain how the structure of “the new government” provides built in protection against factions

  • Proposal towards the creation of the constitution 

  • Created checks and balances to ensure no specific group gets more power than the others.

  • EXAM TIP- The go to document for any questions regarding checks and balances

(Checks n Balances: A constitutional system distributing power among branches of government)


  70 (Alexander Hamilton): Alexander Hamilton wrote this to explain why the new government (the constitution) needed one single president instead of a group of people in charge.

  • EXAM TIP- Use this prompts regarding  EXECUTIVE POWER or presidential efficiency


Letter to Birmingham Jail(Martin luther king jr., 1963): 

  • To defend strategy of nonviolent direct action and demand immediate fulfillment of the 14th amendment equal protection clause

  • King believes citizens have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws through civil disobedience 

  • EXAM TIP- use this for prompts on civil rights, social movement, or the 14th amendment

Federalist 78  (Alexander Hamilton): Alexander hamiltons argument on why the Judicial Branch (Supreme court) is the least dangerous branch of government and why they need to stay in power for life

  • Argued this due to the reason that they don't have power of the purse or power of the sword but only judgment

  • Anti-federalist were unsure of the idea of life tenure

  • EXAM TIP- Use this for questions regarding the supreme court or judicial powers


The Declaration of independence 1776: The formal “Breakup” document regarding why the 13 colonies will be breaking away from Great Britain

  • Mentioned key principals such as popular sovereignty, Natural rights, and social contract between the people and the government.

  • EXAM TIP- use this when arguing about limited government and popular sovereignty



1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)

  • Clause: Article III (Judicial Branch).

  • Context: Established Judicial Review. The Court ruled it has the power to strike down laws passed by Congress if they violate the Constitution.

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

  • Clause: Necessary and Proper Clause & Supremacy Clause.

  • Context: Confirmed that Congress has "implied powers" to create a national bank and that federal law is superior to state law (states cannot tax the federal government).

3. United States v. Lopez (1995)

  • Clause: Commerce Clause.

  • Context: Limited Congress’s power. Carrying a gun in a school zone is not an "economic activity," so Congress couldn't use the Commerce Clause to ban it.

4. Engel v. Vitale (1962)

  • Clause: Establishment Clause (1st Amendment).

  • Context: Public schools cannot lead students in even voluntary prayer because it constitutes government-sponsored religion.

5. Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

  • Clause: Free Exercise Clause (1st Amendment).

  • Context: Amish families’ right to practice their religion outweighed the state's interest in forcing students to attend school past 8th grade.

6. Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

  • Clause: Freedom of Speech (1st Amendment).

  • Context: Protected "symbolic speech" in schools (wearing black armbands) as long as it doesn’t cause a substantial disruption.

7. New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)

  • Clause: Freedom of the Press (1st Amendment).

  • Context: Bolstered the "no prior restraint" rule. The government cannot censor the press unless they prove an immediate danger to national security.

8. Schenck v. United States (1919)

  • Clause: Freedom of Speech (1st Amendment).

  • Context: Speech can be limited if it creates a "clear and present danger" (like encouraging people to dodge the draft during wartime).

9. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

  • Clause: 6th Amendment (Right to Counsel).

  • Context: Used the 14th Amendment to require states to provide a lawyer to anyone who cannot afford one.

10. Roe v. Wade (1973)

  • Clause: Right to Privacy (14th Amendment Due Process).

  • Context: Protected a woman's right to an abortion based on an implied right to privacy within the Constitution.

11. McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

  • Clause: 2nd Amendment (Right to Bear Arms).

  • Context: Used the 14th Amendment to stop cities/states from banning handguns, making the 2nd Amendment apply to all levels of government.

12. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

  • Clause: Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment).

  • Context: Overturned "separate but equal." Ruled that racially segregated schools are inherently unequal and unconstitutional.

13. Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

  • Clause: Freedom of Speech (1st Amendment).

  • Context: Ruled that political spending by corporations and unions is a protected form of free speech.

14. Baker v. Carr (1962)

  • Clause: Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment).

  • Context: Established the "one person, one vote" principle. Ruled that the Court can force states to redraw unfair voting districts.

15. Shaw v. Reno (1993)

  • Clause: Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment).

  • Context: Ruled that while redistricting can consider race, it cannot be the only factor used to draw a "bizarrely shaped" district (no racial gerrymandering).




This case set a significant precedent in balancing the interests of minority representation with the constitutional prohibition against racial discrimination in the drawing of electoral districts.