AP Gov Review
Required 9 Documents:
Preamble to the Constitution ← Introduces the constitution, provides defense, promotes welfare and protects freedom
MAIN IDEA: BUILT A STRONG, FAIR GOVERNMENT
Declaration of Independence ←They break away from Britain because they treated us unfair, everyone has rights: life, liberty, and happiness.
MAIN IDEA: FREEDOM AND RIGHTS
Articles of Confederation ← First U.S government, gave most powers to states
MAIN IDEA: NATIONAL GOV WAS TOO WEAK (COULDN’T TAX OR ENFORCE LAWS)
Brutus 1 ← Stated that the implied powers clause would bad, and the government would take control over that. Wanted power to the states to avoid that.
BBBG= BRUTUS BIG BAD GOVERNMENT
Fed 10 ← Madison said that factions (people with similar/different ideas) were bad you can’t take away fractions, but can control them. Having a big government will control them.
MAIN IDEA: FACTIONS
Fed 51 ← We need separate powers (checks and balances). Having power over the other one is good, and controls any override.
MAIN IDEA: CHECKS AND BALANCES SEPARATION OF POWERS
Fed 70 ← Need a president (executive) they need someone who can made quick decisions, when to employ them.
MAIN IDEA: EXECUTIVE BRANCH+ONE PRES
Fed 78 ← The judges should have life terms, doing the best interest of U.S.
MAIN IDEA: JUDICIAL REVIEW+LIFE REVENUE
Letter from Birmingham Jail ← The fourteenth amendment (equal protection clause)
MAIN IDEA: FIGHTING DISCRIMINATION AND ACHIEVING CIVIL RIGHTS
REQUIRED CASES:
Mcculloch v. Maryland
MAIN IDEA: The Federal government can create a national bank and states can’t tax the federal government, strengthening federal power over states.
Lopez v. U.S
MAIN IDEA: Limited Congress power under the Commerce Clause, can’t use it for just anything.
Baker v. Carr
MAIN IDEA: Gerrymandering (unfair representation)
Shaw v. Reno
MAIN IDEA: Racial Gerrymandering (unfair districting)
Marbury v. Madison
MAIN IDEA: Gave the Court power of Judicial Review
Tinker v. Des Moines
MAIN IDEA: Students have free speech rights at school (black armbands protesting vietnam war)
Schenck v. US
MAIN IDEA: Speech can be limited if it cause a “clear and present danger
Citizens United v. FEC
MAIN IDEA: Business and groups can spend unlimited money in politics (free speech)
Mcdonald v Chicago
MAIN IDEA: The 2nd Amendment applies to states as well, people can own guns for self defense
Wisconsin v. Yoder
MAIN IDEA: Religious freedom lets Amish kids stop school after 8th (Free Exercise Clause)
Engel v. Vitale
MAIN IDEA: No school-led prayer in public schools (Establishment Clause)
Gideon v. Wainwright
MAIN IDEA: You have the right to a lawyer
Brown v. Board of Education
MAIN IDEA: No more “separate but equal.” Schools must integrate (desegregation)
NYT v. U.S
MAIN IDEA: Freedom of press is protected unless it poses clear danger
Roe v. Wade
MAIN IDEA: Right to privacy by due process clause of the 14 amendment
(Unit 1)
THE ENGLIGNMENT (REQUIRED!)
Natural Rights:
Fundamental Rights that everyone is born with
Examples:
Life, Liberty, Property.
Popular Sovereignty:
The People have the power—the government exists by and for the people
Examples:
Voting in Elections, The Constitution
Social Contract:
The people give up some freedom, the government agrees to protect their rights
Examples:
Declaration of independence (people can abolish a government if they don’t protect their rights)
Republicanism:
People elect leaders to represent us and make decisions in the public interest
Examples:
Presidential Elections (Electoral College)
(UNIT 1)
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY:
Participatory Democracy:
A democracy where lots of people are involved in politics
Town Hall Meetings
Pluralist Democracy:
People join interest groups that compete to influence laws
NRA, Environmental groups
Elite Democracy:
Small # of wealthy or educated people have most of the power in making decisions
Electoral College (limits direct voting for president)
REQUIRED CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES:
Limited Government ← The government only has powers given to it by the Constitution.
Separation of Powers ← Power is split into 3 parts (Congress, President, Courts)
Checks and Balances ← 3 Branches each have own equal power, can stop each other from getting too strong.
Federalism ← Power shared between the state and national governments
(NEED TO KNOW THIS)
Individual Rights ← People have protected rights the government needs to respect, first amendment.
Amendments (1-10):
1st ← Freedom of speech, religion, and press
2nd ← Right to bear arms
3rd ← Protection from quartering of soldiers
4th ← No unreasonable searches
5th ← Right to due process, self-incrimination
6th ← Right to speedy and public trial, to confront witness, and to have legal counsel
7th ← Right to a jury trial
8th ← Protection from cruel/excessive bail
9th ← People have rights not listed in the Constitution
10th ←Powers reserved for the states or the people
BRANCHES OF GOV
Congress (Legislative): Makes Laws; bicameral (House=population, Senate= 2 per state) holds the purse (da money)
Executive (President): Enforces laws; powers include veto, commander in chief, appointments
Judicial: Interprets laws; Power of Judicial Review
CIVIL LIBERTIES and RIGHTS
Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments; protects individual freedoms
Selective Incorporation: Bill of Rights applies to states; 14th Amendment
SHOULD EXPECT ON MCQ & FRQ:
Voter Turnout: Influenced by demographics
Iron Triangles: Congress, Bureaucracy, and interest groups working together
Discretionary Authority: Power to decide how laws are implemented
Rule-Making Authority: How specific how will the law be carried out
Ex: Department of Transportation: how long workers work for a certain amount of time and how much rest they need
Fiscal Federalism & Federal Powers
Block Grants: Alot of money from the fed gov to the states for simple stuff (education, healthcare)
Categorical Grants: Money for specific things (school lunch program, highway repairs)
Mandates: Follow a law, sometimes without money
Enumerated Powers: Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for federal government
Ex: Declare war, coin money
Implied Powers: Powers not written in the Constitution but suggested Ex: draft soldiers
Reserved Powers: Power not given to fed government, left to the states
Ex: establishing schools
Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by both federal and state governments
COMMITTEES:
Standing Committees - Permanent; handle specific topics (like education or defense)
Subcommittees - focus on one piece of a topic
Select Committees - Temporary; created for specific purpose
Joint Committees - Both senate and house work on tasks
MODELS OF REPRESENTATION:
Delegate ← Representative vote how the public wants, even if they disagree
Trustee ← Representatives use their own opinion to make decision, even if its against public opinion
Politico ← Acts as a delegate on issues the public cares about, and as a trustee on complex issues
Fewer people per electoral vote = more voting power per person.
Electoral College ← The Electoral College is the system the U.S. uses to pick the president. Each state gets a certain number of votes based on its population