• Liberal vs Conservative beliefs. What are the core values of each? How does that impact the type of policy they support?

Liberals believe in LIBERTY and EQUALITY for all individuals, and support policies that promote social JUSTICE. They often prioritize civil rights and liberties, progressive taxation, and government regulation to protect consumers and the environment.

Conservatives believe in TRADITION and individual RESPONSIBILITY, and support policies that encourage self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. They often prioritize national security and law and order, and tend to be more skeptical of government involvement in the private sector and social issues.

Remembering the key words LIBERTY, EQUALITY, and JUSTICE for liberals and TRADITION and RESPONSIBILITY for conservatives can help you quickly recall their core values on the exam.

1. Liberals tend to support policies that promote social welfare and address income inequality. This can include policies such as universal healthcare, affordable education, and social safety nets. They also tend to support progressive taxation, which taxes the wealthy at a higher rate to fund government programs that benefit the less fortunate.

2. Conservatives tend to support policies that promote economic growth and limited government intervention. This can include policies such as low taxes, reduced government spending, and deregulation of the private sector. They also tend to prioritize national security and law and order, which can lead to policies such as increased defense spending and tougher criminal justice measures.

3. On social issues, liberals tend to prioritize civil rights and liberties, such as LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform. They often support government regulations and oversight to protect consumers and the environment.

4. Conservatives tend to be more traditional in their social views, favoring a smaller role for government in issues such as marriage and family values. They also generally oppose abortion and advocate for gun rights.

• Federalists vs Anti-Federalists. What were they disagreeing about? What did they each want? Why?

Federalists and Anti-Federalists were two political groups in early American history who had different perspectives on the ratification of the US Constitution. Here's a breakdown of what they were disagreeing about, what they each wanted, and why:

1. Disagreements: The main disagreement between Federalists and Anti-Federalists was over the role and power of the federal government. Federalists believed in a strong federal government with centralized power, while Anti-Federalists believed in a decentralized government with more power given to individual states. They also had disagreements over issues such as the protection of individual rights, representation in government, and the scope of federal powers.

2. What they wanted: Federalists wanted a strong central government that could effectively govern the new country, ensure national security, and promote economic growth. They believed that a strong central government was necessary to address the challenges facing the country and to protect individual rights. Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, wanted a more limited federal government with more power given to the states. They feared that a strong central government would become tyrannical and threaten individual liberties.

3. Why: The Federalists believed that a strong federal government was necessary to create a stable and prosperous country. They saw the Articles of Confederation, the previous governing document, as weak and ineffective in addressing the needs of the country. They also believed that a strong central government was necessary to protect individual rights and prevent states from infringing on them. Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, believed that a strong federal government would be too powerful and would lead to tyranny. They wanted to ensure that the states had the power to govern themselves and protect individual liberties.

For the APGOV exam, it's important to understand the key differences between Federalists and Anti-Federalists, including their beliefs about the role and power of the federal government, individual rights, and representation in government. You should also be familiar with the arguments made by each side, as well as the compromises that were reached in the Constitution to address these disagreements.

• The required documents and the 15 court cases.

Required Documents:

• Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence is a document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, which declared the 13 American colonies independent from Great Britain. It is considered one of the most important documents in American history, as it established the fundamental principles of democracy, equality, and individual rights.

• Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781. They established a weak central government with most power given to the states. The Articles were ultimately replaced by the US Constitution in 1789.

• US Constitution: The US Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, ratified in 1789. It outlines the structure and powers of the federal government, as well as the rights and liberties of American citizens. The Constitution includes the Bill of Rights, which outlines the first ten amendments to the Constitution, including protections for individual rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

• Federalist Papers: The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in support of ratifying the US Constitution. They are considered some of the most important documents in American history, as they provide a detailed explanation of the principles and structure of the US government.

• Letter from Birmingham Jail: The Letter from Birmingham Jail is a letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 while he was imprisoned for protesting against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. The letter is a powerful defense of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, and is considered one of the most important documents in the Civil Rights Movement.

Court Cases:

1. Marbury v. Madison (1803): This Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review, which gives the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): This Supreme Court case established the supremacy of federal law over state law, and upheld the constitutionality of the federal government creating a national bank.

3. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): This Supreme Court case established the power of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce.

4. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857): This Supreme Court case ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be American citizens and did not have the right to sue in federal court.

5. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): This Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

6. Schenck v. United States (1919): This Supreme Court case established the "clear and present danger" test for free speech limitations during wartime.

7. Brown v. Board of Education (1954): This Supreme Court case ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

8. Baker v. Carr (1962): This Supreme Court case established the principle of "one person, one vote," requiring legislative districts to be roughly equal in population.

9. Engel v. Vitale (1962): This Supreme Court case ruled that state-sponsored prayer in public schools was unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

10. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): This Supreme Court case established the right to counsel for criminal defendants under the Sixth Amendment.

11. New York Times Co. v. United States (1971): This Supreme Court case upheld the freedom of the press to publish classified government information.

12. Roe v. Wade (1973): This Supreme Court case established a woman's right to have an abortion under the Fourteenth Amendment.

13. United States v. Nixon (1974): This Supreme Court case ruled that the President of the United States is not above the law and must comply with a subpoena for evidence in a criminal trial.

14. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978): This Supreme Court case upheld affirmative action, but struck down racial quotas in college admissions.

15. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010): This Supreme Court case ruled that corporations and unions have the same rights as individuals to spend money on political campaigns, leading to a rise in independent spending in elections.

• Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances. How do the 3 branches hold each other accountable? Where does the Bureaucracy fit in? What is meritocracy and why does it matter?

Separation of powers and checks and balances are two important concepts in the U.S. Constitution that help to ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful. Separation of powers divides the government into three branches, each with its own distinct powers and responsibilities. The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws.

Checks and balances ensures that no branch becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the power of the other two. For example, the President can veto laws passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. The Supreme Court can also strike down laws passed by Congress or actions taken by the President if they are found to be unconstitutional.

The bureaucracy is not one of the three branches of government, but is part of the executive branch. The bureaucracy consists of the many departments, agencies, and organizations that make up the federal government. The bureaucracy carries out the day-to-day work of the government, implementing laws and regulations passed by Congress and enforcing them through various means. The bureaucracy is overseen by the President and subject to the checks and balances of the other two branches of government.

Meritocracy is the principle of selecting individuals for jobs or positions based on their abilities and qualifications, rather than their social status or connections. Meritocracy is important for the bureaucracy because it ensures that the government is staffed by competent and capable individuals who are able to carry out the work of the government effectively and efficiently. Without meritocracy, the bureaucracy could become filled with individuals who are not qualified for their positions, which could lead to a breakdown in the functioning of the government.

• FEDERALISM!! What is the debate about how much power the federal vs state governments should have. What things impact the relationship between federal and state governments?

Federalism is the principle that powers and responsibilities are divided between a central government and the state governments. The debate over how much power the federal versus state governments should have is an ongoing one that has been present since the founding of the United States. At its core, this debate centers around the idea of states' rights versus federal power.

Those who advocate for states' rights argue that the states should have a greater degree of autonomy and control over their own affairs. They believe that the federal government should be limited in its power and that the states should be free to make their own laws and policies, as long as they do not conflict with the U.S. Constitution.

On the other hand, those who advocate for federal power argue that the federal government should have a greater degree of authority over the states, particularly in matters of national importance, such as national defense, foreign policy, and interstate commerce. They believe that a strong federal government is necessary to maintain order and promote the general welfare of the country as a whole.

Several factors impact the relationship between federal and state governments, including:

1. The U.S. Constitution: The Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the federal government and the states, and serves as the ultimate authority in disputes between the two.

2. Supreme Court decisions: The Supreme Court has the power to interpret the Constitution and settle disputes between the federal and state governments, which can have a significant impact on the relationship between the two.

3. Federal grants: The federal government often provides grants to the states for various purposes, which can influence state policies and priorities.

4. Political climate: The political climate of the country can impact the relationship between federal and state governments, as different political parties and ideologies may have different views on the appropriate balance of power between the two.

Overall, the debate over federalism is an ongoing one, and the relationship between federal and state governments is constantly evolving and being shaped by various factors.

• Government power to create order and safety vs. protecting individual liberty. How has the government balanced this throughout history? Connect to relevant court cases!

The tension between the government's power to create order and safety and the need to protect individual liberty has been a central theme throughout the history of the United States. Throughout this history, the government has sought to balance these two competing values, often through the use of laws and policies, and sometimes through the intervention of the courts.

One key example of this balance can be seen in the case of Schenck v. United States (1919), in which the Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of the Espionage Act of 1917, which made it a crime to interfere with military recruitment. In its decision, the Court upheld the law, but also established the "clear and present danger" test, which held that the government's power to restrict free speech was limited by the need to avoid a clear and present danger to national security.

Another relevant court case is Brown v. Board of Education (1954), in which the Supreme Court struck down the doctrine of "separate but equal" in public schools, ruling that racial segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This decision was a key moment in the civil rights movement and demonstrated the government's commitment to protecting individual liberty and equal treatment under the law.

Similarly, the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) affirmed a woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion, balancing the government's interest in protecting fetal life with a woman's right to privacy and bodily autonomy.

At the same time, the government has also taken steps to ensure public safety and order. For example, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the government passed the USA PATRIOT Act, which granted law enforcement and intelligence agencies broad powers to investigate and prevent acts of terrorism. However, some have argued that this law and other similar policies have gone too far in infringing on individual liberties, such as privacy and due process.

In general, the government has sought to balance the need for order and safety with the protection of individual liberty through a combination of laws, policies, and court decisions. These efforts have often been shaped by historical events and cultural and social movements, and are likely to continue to evolve over time.