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ap gov unit 1 cram

1.1 Core Principles of Democracy

  • Natural Rights – Rights people are born with (life, liberty, property/pursuit of happiness). Locke → Jefferson in Declaration of Independence.

  • Popular Sovereignty – Gov’s power comes from consent of the governed (people hold ultimate authority).

  • Republicanism – Citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

  • Social Contract – People give up some freedom in exchange for government protection (Locke, Rousseau).

  • Declaration of Independence (1776) – Jefferson; announced separation from Britain; justified with natural rights, social contract.

  • Philadelphia Convention (1787) – Delegates met to revise Articles of Confederation → drafted new Constitution.

  • Shays’s Rebellion (1786–87) – Farmer uprising against debt/taxes in MA → exposed weaknesses of Articles, spurred call for stronger federal gov.

1.2: Types of Democracy

Participatory Democracy – Broad citizen involvement (ex: town hall meetings).

Pluralist Democracy – Many interest groups compete for influence. (NAACP)

Elite Democracy – Small group of wealthy/educated elites hold power. (ELECTORAL COLLEGE)

Direct Democracy – Citizens vote directly on laws.

Representative Democracy – Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

1.3: Founding Events & Compromises

Declaration of Independence (1776) – Break from Britain, natural rights, consent of governed.

Articles of Confederation (1781–1789) – Weak first gov, couldn’t tax, no exec/judicial branch, only legislature

Shays’s Rebellion (1786) – farmer rebellellion that led to expose weakness of Articles, led to Convention.

Philadelphia/Constitutional Convention (1787) – Wrote U.S. Constitution.

Virginia Plan – Rep by population → small states v bigger states conflict over representation in Congress, leading to the Great Compromise.

New Jersey Plan – Equal representation for all states big or small

Great Compromise – Bicameral legislation: House (STATE pop) + Senate (equal).

Three-Fifths Compromise – Enslaved counted 3/5 for rep & taxes. → making slave/southern states powerful

Electoral College – Indirect presidential election.

1.4: Constitution’s Design

Separation of Powers – Branches divided (legislative, executive, judicial).

Checks & Balances – Branches limit each other/cancel out other branches actions if needed to ensure that no single branch becomes too powerful, promoting accountability and preventing tyranny.

Factions (Fed 10) – Large republic controls factions.

Tyranny of the Majority – Fear of majority oppressing minority.

Article V – Amendment process → 2/3 of both houses can propose OR 2/3 state legislature can propose → ¾ of states need to agree to ratify

1.5: Federalism & Clauses

Federalism – Power shared between states & national gov.

Dual Federalism (“Layer Cake”) – Clear division of fed vs. state powers (founding–1930s).

Cooperative Federalism – Fed & state govs share responsibilities (New Deal onward).

Exclusive Powers – Only federal gov.

Concurrent Powers – Shared by state & federal.

Implied Powers – Not written, but derived from Necessary & Proper Clause (ex: creating a bank).

Devolution – Transfer of power back to states (ex: welfare reform 1990s).

Clauses:

Elastic Clause – Congress can make necessary & proper laws.

Commerce Clause – Congress regulates interstate commerce.

Supremacy Clause – Federal law > state law.

Federalist Papers (Hamilton, Madison, Jay) vs. Anti-Federalist Papers

  • Fed. No. 10 (Madison) → Large republic controls factions, prevents tyranny of majority.

  • Fed. No. 51 (Madison) → Separation of powers, checks & balances keep gov in check.

  • Fed. No. 70 (Hamilton) → Need single energetic executive for accountability and defense.

  • Fed. No. 78 (Hamilton) → Independent judiciary, judicial review implied.

  • Brutus No. 1 → Opposed Constitution; feared large republic would abuse power, supported local control.

Marbury v. Madison (1803) – Established judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) – Fed supremacy, implied powers, national bank allowed.

U.S. v. Lopez (1995) – Limited commerce clause, returned power to states.

1.8: Key Amendments

10th – Powers not given to fed are reserved for states.

14th – Equal protection & due process.

15th – Voting rights regardless of race.

16th – Federal income tax.

17th – Direct election of Senators.

18th – Prohibition of alcohol.

19th – Women’s suffrage.

21st – Repealed Prohibition.

26th – Voting age lowered to 18.