ap gov draft review
Legislative Process – How a bill becomes a law.
Congress writes and votes on bills, and the President approves or vetoes them.
Budgetary Process – How the government plans and approves spending.
The President and Congress decide how much money to spend and where it goes.
Appointment Process – How people get top government jobs.
The President picks someone, and the Senate approves them.
Ratification Process – How treaties with other countries are approved.
The President makes a treaty, but the Senate must agree (2/3 vote).
Electoral Process – How we elect the President.
Citizens vote, and the Electoral College makes the final decision.
1.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
What happened? A man didn’t get the job he was promised.
Why it matters: The court said, “We get to decide what the law means!”
Big idea: Judicial review – the Supreme Court can say if laws are fair or not.
2.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
What happened? Maryland wanted to tax a national bank.
Why it matters: The court said, “Nope! Federal power is stronger.”
Big idea: Federal laws are supreme over state laws.
3.
U.S. v. Lopez (1995)
What happened? A teen brought a gun to school.
Why it matters: The court said, “Not everything is about business (commerce)!”
Big idea: Limits federal power – not everything can be controlled by Congress.
4.
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
What happened? Schools made kids say a prayer.
Why it matters: The court said, “You can’t make kids pray in school.”
Big idea: No forced religion in public schools – First Amendment.
5.
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
What happened? Amish families didn’t want to send kids to school past 8th grade.
Why it matters: The court said, “Religious freedom wins.”
Big idea: Freedom of religion – First Amendment protects religious practices.
6.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
What happened? Kids wore armbands to protest war.
Why it matters: The court said, “Students still have free speech at school.”
Big idea: Free speech – even for students.
7.
New York Times v. U.S. (1971)
What happened? The government tried to stop newspapers from printing secrets.
Why it matters: The court said, “You can’t stop the press before they publish.”
Big idea: Freedom of the press – First Amendment.
8.
Schenck v. U.S. (1919)
What happened? A man told people not to join the army.
Why it matters: The court said, “Free speech can be limited if it’s dangerous.”
Big idea: Clear and present danger – limits on free speech.
9.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
What happened? A man didn’t get a lawyer in court.
Why it matters: The court said, “Everyone gets a lawyer!”
Big idea: Right to an attorney – even if you’re poor.
10.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
What happened? A woman wanted an abortion.
Why it matters: The court said, “Women have a right to choose.”
Big idea: Right to privacy – includes the right to an abortion (Note: overturned in 2022).
11.
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
What happened? Chicago tried to ban handguns.
Why it matters: The court said, “You have the right to own a gun.”
Big idea: Second Amendment applies to states too.
12.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
What happened? A Black girl wanted to go to a white school.
Why it matters: The court said, “Separate schools are NOT equal.”
Big idea: Ended school segregation – Equal Protection Clause.
13.
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
What happened? A group wanted to spend money on political ads.
Why it matters: The court said, “Spending money = free speech.”
Big idea: Businesses and groups can spend money on elections.
14.
Baker v. Carr (1962)
What happened? Some voting districts had way more people than others.
Why it matters: The court said, “We can fix unfair voting maps.”
Big idea: One person, one vote – courts can decide redistricting fairness.
15.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
What happened? Weird-shaped voting districts were made to help Black voters.
Why it matters: The court said, “Race can’t be the only reason for district lines.”
Big idea: No racial gerrymandering.
1.
Declaration of Independence (1776)
What it says: “We’re breaking up with Britain!”
Big idea: People have rights like life, liberty, and happiness—and if the government is mean, we can change it.
2.
Articles of Confederation (1781)
What it says: “Let’s make a super weak government so states are happy.”
Big idea: It didn’t work! No power to tax, no president, and hard to make decisions.
3.
U.S. Constitution (1787)
What it says: “Let’s make a stronger government with rules!”
Big idea: Creates 3 branches (President, Congress, Courts), separation of powers, and checks & balances.
4.
Federalist No. 10 (Madison)
What it says: “Factions (groups) are bad, but a big country can control them.”
Big idea: A large republic stops one group from taking over.
5.
Brutus No. 1
What it says: “The government is too big—it’ll take away our freedom!”
Big idea: Anti-Federalist warning—too much national power is dangerous.
6.
Federalist No. 51 (Madison)
What it says: “We need checks so no one gets too much power.”
Big idea: Separation of powers + checks and balances = safe government.
7.
Federalist No. 70 (Hamilton)
What it says: “We need ONE strong president to get stuff done.”
Big idea: A single energetic leader is better than a group.
8.
Federalist No. 78 (Hamilton)
What it says: “Judges should be independent and serve for life.”
Big idea: Courts protect our rights and check the other branches.
9.
Letter from Birmingham Jail (MLK Jr.)
What it says: “We can’t wait for justice—we must protest peacefully now.”
Big idea: Civil disobedience is necessary when laws are unfair.