UNIT 1- Review - AP Gov

Thomas Hobbes: Advocated for a governed state benefiting society; individuals must relinquish some rights for the common good.
John Locke: Proposed that natural laws (life, liberty, property) should govern society; governance requires consent of the governed.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Introduced the "Social Contract" concept, emphasizing that free and equal people commit to the general good.
Baron de Montesquieu: Argued for a republican government characterized by limited and separated powers among three branches.
Republicanism: Citizens elect leaders for a limited term to make and execute laws.
Representative Democracy: Government operates via elected officials acting in the citizens' best interest.

Declaration of Independence:
- Authors: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin.
- Date: July 4, 1776; it justified the rebellion and emphasized limited government.
US Constitution:
- Key Figures: James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and state delegates (Grand Committee).
- Structure: Establishes three branches, checks & balances, a social contract, and a representative republic.

Participatory Democracy:
- Encourages broad citizen involvement; voters directly influence laws through initiatives and referendums.
Pluralist Democracy:
- Interest groups with diverse perspectives influence policy-making (e.g., NAACP, NRA).
Elite Democracy:
- Elected officials make decisions for the populace, often influenced by those from higher socio-economic classes.

Federalists
- Key Figures: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay.
- Position: Strong federal government prevents faction dominance.
- Foundational Document: Federalist No. 10.
Anti-Federalists
- Key Figures: Patrick Henry, George Mason, Thomas Jefferson.
- Position: Strong federal government risks individual liberties; may lead to tyranny.
- Foundational Document: Brutus No. 1.

Key Terms: Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Republicanism, Natural Law, Participatory Democracy, Elite Democracy, Pluralist Democracy, Factions, Federalists, Anti-Federalists.
Foundational Documents: Declaration of Independence, Federalist No. 10, Brutus No. 1.

Framework: Established a "League of Friendship" among states; sovereign states with minimal federal powers.
Ineffectiveness:
- No ability to tax, lack of national courts, currency issues, and no military oversight.
- Each state had one vote, regardless of population.
Shays’ Rebellion: A revolt by financially struggling farmers illustrating the inadequacies of the weak federal structure.

Virginia Plan: Advocated for representation based on state populations (3 branches of government).
New Jersey Plan: Emphasized equal representation for each state.
Great Compromise: Established a bicameral legislature (Senate: 2 per state, House: based on populations).
3/5 Compromise: Agreement to count 3/5 of slave populations for congressional representation; postponed regulation of the slave trade for 20 years.
Electoral College: Mechanism for electing the president based on state representation in Congress.
Commerce Clause: Empowered Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

Article V: Outlines the amendment process as a method to adapt the Constitution.
- Requires a 2/3 majority in Congress followed by approval from 3/4 of state legislatures.
Bill of Rights: The first 10 amendments ensuring essential freedoms and limitations on government.

USA PATRIOT Act: Enacted post-9/11, raised issues about 4th Amendment rights concerning phone tapping and information seizures, notably affecting Muslim communities.
Education Policies:
- No Child Left Behind Act (2002) set federal performance standards for schools.
- Race to the Top encouraged state reform in education.

Legislative:
- Operates on Capitol Hill; consists of 100 Senators and 435 Representatives.
- Responsible for enacting laws, with influence from interest groups.
Executive:
- Composed of the President, Vice President, and Cabinet.
- Executes laws and interacts with citizens through federal agencies.
Judicial:
- Comprises the Supreme Court and lower courts.
- Exercises judicial review, impacting citizens by interpreting laws.

Separation of Powers: Divides government into three branches with distinct functions to prevent abuse of power.
Checks & Balances:
- Veto: President's ability to reject legislative bills.
- Pocket Veto: President manages legislation by not signing bills.
- Advice & Consent: Congress advises the President for appointments.
- Impeachment: Mechanism for holding officials accountable for misconduct.

Key Terms: Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances, Veto, Pocket Veto, Advice & Consent, Impeachment.
Foundational Document: Federalist No. 51.

Federalism: The distribution of power across national and state governments.
Supremacy Clause: Establishes that national law takes precedence over state laws, bounded by enumerated powers.
Provisions:
- Full Faith & Credit: Requires states to respect laws of other states.
- Powers:
  - Exclusive (Delegated): Federal powers like military, commerce, immigration.
  - Reserved: Powers retained by states such as education and health.
  - Concurrent: Shared powers like taxation and court operations.

Categorical Grants: Federal funding with specific requirements for usage.
Block Grants: Broad funding with less restrictive criteria.
Mandates: Federal requirements states must comply with, sometimes unfunded, such as the Clean Air Act.

Article 1, Section 8: Lists enumerated powers of Congress including taxation and the Commerce Clause.
Elastic Clause: Allows Congress implied powers to legislate for necessary actions that are not explicitly stated.
State Power: Defined by the Tenth Amendment focusing on powers not delegated to the federal government.

Environmental Regulation: EPA mandates compliance with federal laws; significant legislative acts during various presidential administrations.
Legalization of Marijuana: States have begun to legalize marijuana despite federal restrictions, leading to a conflict between state and federal law.

Key Terms: Federalism, Exclusive Powers, Concurrent Powers, Supremacy Clause, Federal Grants, Enumerated Powers, Elastic Clause, 10th Amendment, 14th Amendment.
Important SCOTUS Cases: McCulloch v. Maryland, United States v. Lopez.