AP Government UNIT 1 REVIEW [Everything You NEED to Know!]

1. Foundations of American Democracy

• Enlightenment Influence

  • European intellectual movement in the 18th century that shaped government principles.

  • Key Enlightenment thinkers and their ideas:

    • Natural Rights:

      • Rights bestowed by the creator and not subject to government or monarch removal.

    • Social Contract and Popular Sovereignty:

      • Government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed, with power lying ultimately in the hands of the people.

      • If government fails to protect rights, citizens have the right to overthrow it.

    • Republicanism:

      • Citizens elect representatives to create laws and protect public interests.

      • Involves separation of powers among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

2. Foundational Documents

• Declaration of Independence:

  • Articulates natural rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and foundations of popular sovereignty.

• U.S. Constitution:

  • Blueprint that establishes republicanism and separation of powers.

3. Types of Democracy

• Participatory Democracy:

  • Emphasizes broad engagement from citizens in the political process.

• Pluralist Democracy:

  • Focus on interest groups competing for influence over public policy.

• Elite Democracy:

  • Limited participation by general populace; governance by educated elites.

  • Example: Electoral College limits direct voter influence.

4. Tensions Between Democracy Models

• Foundational documents (Constitution, Federalist 10, Brutus 1) illustrate the conflicts between democratic models.

• Federalist 10:

  • Emphasizes the need to control factions to protect rights and common good in a large republic.

• Brutus 1:

  • Warns against federal overreach, arguing for stronger state sovereignty to protect individual liberties.

5. The Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Convention

• Articles of Confederation:

  • First governing document with weak federal power, minimal revenue collection, and no national army.

  • Major weaknesses highlighted by events like Shay's Rebellion.

• Constitutional Convention of 1787:

  • Aimed to amend Articles but resulted in a new Constitution.

  • Key Compromises:

    • Great Compromise: Establishment of a bicameral legislature.

    • Electoral College: Method for electing the President.

    • 3/5 Compromise: Counting enslaved people for representation purposes.

    • Slavery Clause: Postponement of the slave trade regulation for 20 years.

6. Structural Principles of the Constitution

• Separation of Powers: Ensures that no branch becomes too powerful.

• Checks and Balances: Each branch has specific powers to limit others.

  • Examples:

    • Congressional power of legislation and advice/consent.

    • Presidential veto power over laws passed by Congress.

    • Judicial review enables courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

7. Federalism Explained

• Definition of Federalism: The distribution of power between national and state governments.

• Types of Powers:

  • Exclusive Powers: Powers assigned to the federal government.

  • Reserved Powers: Powers reserved for the states (10th Amendment).

  • Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by both levels of government.

• Fiscal Federalism: Funding strategies where federal funds are conditional upon compliance with federal standards.

  • Categorical Grants: Funds for specific purposes with conditions.

  • Block Grants: Allow states more discretion in spending.

  • Mandates: Requirements for states to comply with federal directives, with possible funding.

8. Ongoing Debates in Federalism

• Historical arguments focusing on the balance of power.

  • Example: USA Patriot Act increased federal surveillance post-9/11.

  • Example: No Child Left Behind Act represents federal involvement in education, causing state pushback.

9. Constitutional Provisions and Supreme Court Cases

• Key Constitutional Provisions affecting federalism:

  • 10th Amendment: Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to states.

  • 14th Amendment: Applies Bill of Rights to the states.

  • Commerce Clause: Allows regulation of interstate commerce.

  • Necessary and Proper Clause: Allows for implied powers of Congress.

• Key Supreme Court Cases:

  • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Expands federal power; emphasizes supremacy of federal law over state law.

  • United States v. Lopez (1995): Limits federal power by ruling the Commerce Clause cannot regulate guns in schools.

10. Examples of Federalism

• Environmental Regulations: States can set stricter rules than federal laws.

• Marijuana Legalization: States like California legalized marijuana for medical use while it remained illegal federally, showcasing state experimentation within federal constraints.