AP Gov Midterm

Documents:

Consitiutional Clause that related to the unkown

Topic:

More do you know the information than analyze the questions

Political cartoon & graph

Try not to overthink

Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy - Study Guide - APGOPO

This section covers the core philosophical and documentary underpinnings of the U.S. system.

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government): Ideas centered on "consent of the governed," "life, liberty, and property," natural law, natural rights, and the Social Contract.
Declaration of Independence (First Two Paragraphs): Articulates the principles of "all men created equal," "unalienable rights" (specifically "life, liberty, [and the] pursuit of happiness"), and government deriving power from the "consent of the governed."
U.S. Constitution: Focus on the Preamble, Articles I-VII, and all 27 Amendments.
James Madison (Federalist No. 51): Argues for a large republic with a strong national government, emphasizing Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances to prevent tyranny.

This section examines the nature of democracy, power distribution, and economic context in the U.S.

Characteristics, Ideals, and Values of Democracy: Core principles.
Evolution of American Democracy: Comparing the understanding of democracy today versus in 1788.
Current State of U.S. Democracy: An assessment of how democratic the U.S. government and society are today.

Participatory Theory
Elite Theory: The idea that a small, wealthy, and powerful group holds the most influence and makes the key decisions.
Pluralist Theory (Federalist No. 10): The idea that political power is dispersed among many competing groups, none of which has complete control.

Economic Systems: Understand the definitions and differences between Communism, Socialism, Welfare Capitalism, and Capitalism.
American Democracy:
- Representative Democracy (Republic): Citizens elect representatives to make decisions (e.g., Congress, President, state legislatures).
- Direct Democracy: Citizens vote directly on policies (e.g., Recall, Referendum, Ballot Initiatives at the state and local level).
American Capitalism: Characterized as a Free Market Economy with elements of regulation, private ownership, and Welfare Capitalism.

A detailed focus on the creation, structure, and principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Articles of Confederation: Identify its problems (e.g., weak national government) and successes (e.g., Northwest Ordinance).
Constitutional Convention (1787): Know why it convened, who attended, and who was notably absent.
Controversies and Compromises:
- Controversies: Representation (Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan), Slavery, and the Power of the National Government.
- Compromises: Great (Connecticut) Compromise (bicameral legislature), Three-Fifths Compromise (slavery and representation), Electoral College.
Ratification Struggle: Understand the arguments between Federalists (pro-ratification) and Anti-Federalists (anti-ratification/pro-Bill of Rights).

Big Four Principles: Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Federalism, Limited Government.
Constitution: Founding Principles: Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, the Rule of Law.
Types of Powers:
- Delegated/Expressed Powers: Specifically listed in the Constitution.
- Implied Powers: Powers derived from the Necessary & Proper Clause.
- Inherent Powers: Powers that belong to a sovereign nation.
- Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by both state and national governments.
Government Branches: Know the formal and informal powers of the three branches and specific examples of Checks and Balances.

Amendment Process (Article V):
- Methods of Proposal: 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress OR 2/3 of states call for a national convention.
- Methods of Ratification: 3/4 of state legislatures OR 3/4 of state ratifying conventions.
Important Clauses:
- Commerce Clause (Article I, Sec. 8)
- Necessary & Proper Clause (Article I, Sec. 8, Clause 18 - Elastic Clause)
- Supremacy Clause (Article VI)
- Full Faith & Credit Clause (Article IV)
- First Amendment: Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause.

This section focuses on the division of power between the national and state governments.

Federalism: A system where power is divided between the national and state governments, with the national government being supreme (Supremacy Clause).
Constitutional Basis: Article I (powers of Congress), Tenth Amendment (reserved powers), Article IV, and the "Full Faith and Credit" Clause.

Dual Federalism ("Layer Cake"): Power is strictly divided between the state and national governments.
Cooperative Federalism ("Marble Cake"): The national and state governments share powers and cooperate on policy.
Debates: The ongoing debate over the power granted to Congress by the Necessary & Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) and the Commerce Clause.
Devolution: The process of returning or granting powers to the state level through federal law, common since the 1980s (e.g., block grants).
Supreme Court Decisions: Understand the impact of landmark cases on federalism and power distribution:
- Marbury v. Madison
- McCulloch v. Maryland
- Gibbons v. Ogden
- United States v. Lopez
- McDonald v. Chicago - will do this case later
- Obergefell v. Hodges - will do this case later
Analysis: Benefits and consequences of the U.S. federal system.

Politics of Modern Federalism: Involves the use of federal money to influence state policy.
Federal Grants-in-Aid:
- Revenue Sharing (Historical/Less Common)
- Categorical Grants: Federal money with specific conditions/purposes.
- Block Grants: Federal money for a broad purpose with fewer conditions (Devolution).
- Federal Unfunded Mandates: Federal requirements imposed on states without providing funding.