Ap Government - 1st Semester Review (Units 1-3)

The U.S. government is based on ideas of limited government, including natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, and social contract. These ideals can be found in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

restrictions on government power, usually found in a constitution

Rights that we are born with that cannot be infringed upon | life, liberty, property (or pursuit of happiness)

Power belongs to the people | consent of the governed

The people can elect representatives who are responsible for making and carrying out laws

consent to be governed in return for the protection of natural rights (Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s idea.)

Emphasizes broad participation in politics and civil society

Recognizes group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact on political decision making

emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society

document that adresses concern over special interest groups. Focuses on the superiority of a large republic in controlling the “mischiefs of faction,” delegating authority to elected representatives and dispersing power between the states and national government

document over the fear that a powerful central government will result in more elite democracy and limitations to participatory democracy. Adhered to popular democratic theory that emphasized the benefits of a small decentralized republic while warning of the dangers to personal liberty from a large, centralized governments.

The supreme law of the United States that establishes the framework of the federal government and lays out the rights and responsibilities of citizens

In favor of the U.S. Constitution and the power of the national government

Not in favor of the Constitution as some wanted a Bill of Rights, and others voiced concern about the central government having too much power

First governing document of an independent U.S. government.

• weak central government

• no independent executive or judicial branch

• hard to amend (all 13 unanimous) or make national laws (9 of 13 states, each state getting 1 vote)

• unicameral

• lack of tax law enforcement power by the national government

• inability to regulate commerce

• lack of national military powers heightened by events like Shays’ Rebellion

combination of Virginia and New Jersey Plan, creating a bicameral legislature, one chamber based on population and another on equal representation | Also known as the “Great Compromise”

debate over the election of president resulted in creation of the _________ _______, elites that would have a say over the presidential election (in theory)

representation of enslaved population resulted in counting enslaved people as 3/5 of a population, leading to slave states with disproportionate representation

1. 2/3 vote in both houses

   OR

2. Proposal from 2/3 of state legislatures

¾ vote from the states

document that explains how consitutional provisions of seperation of powers and checks and balances control abuses by majorities.

A doctrine of constitutional law under which the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) are kept separate. Allows for multiple access points for citizens (i.e., groups can influence/lobby/etc. different branches for policy changes)

the sharing of power between the national and state governments

powers only for the federal government such as declaring war

Powers found in the Constitution for the federal government

Powers shared or allowed for both the federal and state governments

Powers granted to the states or people via the 10th amendment. Not guranteed to the federal government

Congressional powers beyond enumerated throught he necessary and proper clause. Stretches the power of the federal government

separate spheres of power to more sharing of powers

Use of federal monies to influence policy

Federal monies for state governments for specific purposes (money with strings attached)

Federal monies for state governments for broad puproses (little to no strings attached). Examples include a federal grant for highway construction, for “infrastructure“, allowing states more freedom to decide how money is spent

Required by the federal government to do, but not funded by them. Examples inlcude Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), No Child Left Behind, and Clean Water Act.

Distribution of tax money to the state government. General _______ _______ was discontinued in the 1980s due to high deficits

the federal government can regulate interstate commerce. Used to expand federal power

Congress implied powers, a clause that expands federal power

'rule by the people'. An example of this is any system of government in which people vote their elected representatives into parliament.

a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization, or the like, typically having different opinions and interests than the larger group

uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Armed bands forced the closing of several courts to prevent execution of foreclosures and debt processes. Led people to realize the Articles of Confederation were too weak

“to accuse someone of misconduct” | The house has the power to _______ the president. The senate serves as a jury to determine guilt or innocence of the president regarding the charges

Powers each branch has to check the power of another branch

the process of creating a policy

The only reason North Carolina and Rhode Island would ratify the Constitution | First 10 amendments of the US Constitution

Freedom of Religion, Speech, the Press, Assembly, and to petition the government

Right to bear arms

You cant be forced to quarter soldiers

No unwarrented searches (includes cell phone data)

guarantees the right to a grand jury, forbids “double jeopardy,” and protects against self-incrimination.

The right to speedy and public trial, right to an impartial jury, to be aware of the criminal charges, to confront witnesses during the trial, to have witnesses in the trial, and the right to legal representation

Protects right of the citizen to have a jury trial in civil cases where the claim exceeds $20

No cruel or unusual punishments or excessive bails

There are more rights than just listed in the Constitution

Reserved powers for the state

one of the houses of Congress | Has 100 members, 2 per state, and 6 year terms | Have the power to filibuster

one of the houses of Congress | has 435 members, based on population of state | 2-year term

the residents of a congressional district or state.

funds programs and services government provides

a policy document that allocates burdens and benefits

Due process and equal protection clauses protect civil liberties and civil rights from the states. Limits state power

Highest ranking member of the majority party in the House. Their duties include:

• Presiding over meetings of the House

• Appointing members of joint committees and conference committees

• Scheduling legislation for floor action.

”Talking a bill to death” | A power only in the Senate

A vote to stop a filibuster (needs 60 votes)

“Traffic Cop” | decides what measures to consider and creates strict rules on how to debate. Is only in the House of Representatives

a committee of the House on which all Representatives serve and which meets in the House Chamber for the consideration of measures from the Union calendar.

Forces a bill out of a committee

Mandatory spending programs that MUST be covered as a result of Legislation (Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, Unemployment Programs)

Congress debates to determine who will get a piece of the pie (part of the budget)

Money set aside (earmarked) in a bill for a pet project in a congressman’s district

One congressman votes for another congressman’s project hoping they will return the favor

persons who strongly support their party's policies and are reluctant to compromise with political opponents.

drawing district lines to benefit a political party

census indicates changes in population, causes new district lines to be drawn every 10 years.

the process by which congressional districts are redrawn and seats are redistributed among states in the house

the principle of equal representation in voting

a government in which one party controls the white house and another party controls one or both houses of congress

when a president has reduced powers and is on their way out of office. The sessions begins mid November of the election year and last to January 20 of the following year.

Representatives that use their conscience

representatives that are agents for those who elected them

representatives with an allegience to their party. A hybrid of the delegate and trustee models

what governmental officials find important to discuss

the presidents power to reject a bill from congress. Can be overcome witha 2/3 vote from congress

when the president does not sign a bill into law during the last 10 days of a congressional session

presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire bill. Was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court

the president is the _________ __ _____ of the army and navy

a formal agreement between the president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval. It is an informal power

a formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by 2/3 of the Senate.

mandatory requirements from the Executive Branch, and have the effect of law

group of presidential advisers, including the heads of the executive departments, the attorney general, and other officials chosen by the president

An informal power of the President | Document informing Congress and the public of how the President will interpret a law that has passed

a term of office that lasts for the office holder's lifetime unless the office holder is removed from office for cause of misbehaving in office, extraordinary circumstances, or decides personally to resign.

“A single person in charge of the government and the executive branch could be dangerous, but the advantage of a single executive includes avoiding conflicts and ensuring accountability”

amendment that limits the number of terms a president can serve to two

the power that is explicitly given with a title, role, or position

are not specifically listed, but are granted to the president to expend his/her powers, being the executive of the nation

a message from the President to Congress, usually given once a year in January or February. In the message, the President talks about important issues facing Americans and offers his ideas on solving the nation's problems, including suggestions for new laws and policies

The president’s use of media coverage to promote an agenda directly to the American public

describes the "ability (of the news media) to influence the importance placed on the topics of the public agenda"

article in the Constitution that talks about the Legislative Branch

article in the Constitution that talks about the Executive Branch