Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy 

What is a Republic/Representative Democracy? Laws are made by representatives chosen by the people and must comply with a constitution that protects the rights of the minority from the will of the majority.

What is popular sovereignty? The government’s right to rule come from the people and the consent of the governed

What is the Social Contract? An agreement between the people and the government, citizens give consent to be governed as long as the government protects their natural rights defined by John Locke

What is Federalism? System of government that divides power between the federal government and state governments

What is a pluralist democracy? No one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy.

What is an elite democracy? A model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making.

Describe the government under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles created a national government centered on the legislative branch, which was comprised of a single house. There was no separate executive branch or judicial branch. The delegates in Congress voted by state—with each state receiving one vote, regardless of its population.

How was taxation different under the Article of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution? Only state governments had the power to tax, and they had to turn over tax revenues to the federal government. The Constitution gave the federal government new, stronger powers to tax citizens directly.

What was the effect of Shay’s Rebellion? Showed government lacked of a centralized military to provide security and order, accelerated calls to reform the Articles, eventually resulting in the Philadelphia Convention of 1787.

What was the main argument between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists? Anti-federalists argued that the Constitution did not protect individual rights, Federalists argued that the Constitution limited the power of the government

Summarize the argument in Federalist 10. Factions are inevitable due to the nature of man, but a large republic can help control their effects. A representative government over direct democracy to prevent majority tyranny. A variety of interests in a large republic will counterbalance each other, leading to more stable governance. A well-constructed union would enable the government to filter out harmful factions while still allowing for diverse opinions.

Summarize the argument in Brutus 1. A large republic would lead to representatives who are disconnected from their constituents, thus endangering true democracy. Warns against the potential for a powerful standing army under federal control, which could be used to oppress the states and the people. Lack of a Bill of Rights in the original Constitution, arguing that it was essential to protect individual liberties. Local governments are better suited to understand and address the needs of their communities compared to a distant national government

What is the Great (Connecticut) Compromise? Bicameral legislature: Two house Congress; House of Representatives: based on population, Consent of the governed; Senate: equal representation for each state. 

Describe the Electoral College. Based on number of representatives per state. Not popular vote

Explain the Constitutional Amendment Process. First Method – an amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress and must be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures. Second Method – an amendment may be proposed, and then ratified by conventions called for the purpose of the amendment, in three-fourths of the States. Third Method – an amendment may be proposed by a national convention, called by Congress, at the request of two-thirds of the State legislatures. It must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures. Fourth Method – an amendment may be proposed by a national convention and ratified by conventions in three-fourths of the States.  

What is the purpose of the Checks and Balances system? Branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and encouraged to share power.

List ways Congress checks the President. Impeachment, Override Presidential vetoes, Declare war

List ways the President checks Congress. Veto power, The Vice President is the President of the Senate, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, Calling one or both houses of Congress into an emergency session 

What is the House of Representatives role in the impeachment process? Charges against an official for alleged crimes of treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors, Formal inquiry into the issue of impeachment, Drafts "Articles of Impeachment", Sends article the the House floor stating if the impeachment should be warranted, House Debates and votes on each Article of Impeachment, Is any one of the Articles approved by the majority? a) No - proceedings cease, b) Yes - The President in question will be impeached

What is the Senate role in the impeachment process? Receives Articles of Impeachment, Senate writes Bill of Indictment and The President is informed, The President remains in office awaiting the results of the Senate impeachment hearing, Formulates rules and procedures for holding a trial, The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court serves as the prosecutor and the 100 senators act as jurors. The president is represented by his lawyers. Meets in private session to debate a verdict, Votes in open session to reach a verdict, Is there a majority of voters to remove the president from power, a) No - The president remains in power b) Yes - The vice president takes over power -Accused official is either found guilty or charges are acquitted

Summarize Federalist 51. In order to preserve liberty, each branch of government must have the ability to check the powers of the others. The personal interests of those in power can help control government actions. Importance of having separate spheres of authority for different levels of government, highlighting federalism.

How does the necessary and proper clause affect the national government? Congress can “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out its duties, Powers can be stretched to cover a variety of issues or circumstances

What are concurrent powers? List an example. Powers shared by the national and state governments, ex:the powers to tax, to spend, and to create lower courts

What are reserved powers? 10th Amendment  - “powers not specifically delegated to the national government are reserved for the states”

What are block grants? National funding with minimal restrictions to the states on its use 

What are categorical grants? List an example. National funding that is restricted to specific categories of expenditures; Preferred by the national government, Ex: education grants

What is a federal mandate? List an example. requirements by the national government of the states, Ex: Federal Minimum wage 

What are unfunded mandates? List an example. Federal laws/regulations that impose obligations, Requires any entity to perform certain actions, with no money provided for fulfilling the requirements Ex: Must make buildings accessible for disabilities

How does the commerce clause affect the national government? Expanded the power of the national government.

What are some positives of the U.S. Federal System? Creates multiple access points for citizens and interest groups to influence public policy Test new policies on a small scale before larger implementation Political decentralization

What was the ruling of McCulloch v Maryland (1819)? Did Congress have the authority to establish the bank? Did the Maryland law unconstitutionally interfere with congressional powers? In a unanimous decision, the Court held that Congress had the power to incorporate the bank and that Maryland could not tax instruments of the national government employed in the execution of constitutional powers. 

What was the ruling of U.S. v Lopez (1995)? Is the 1990 Gun-Free School Zones Act, forbidding individuals from knowingly carrying a gun in a school zone, unconstitutional because it exceeds the power of Congress to legislate under the Commerce Clause? Yes. The possession of a gun in a local school zone is not an economic activity that might, through repetition elsewhere, have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.