AP US Government

proposed by Hobbes - exchange between people and government, some freedoms sacrificed in exchange for protection

proposed by Locke - life, liberty, and property

individualism and natural rights, popular sovereignty, and civic participation

American Republicanism, elected officials representing a group of people

government derives power from consent of the governed (protests, elections)

Thomas Jefferson

A system of government under which the national and local governments share powers

An armed uprising in Massachusetts in 1786-1787 led by farmers against high taxes and debt. It highlighted the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.

Agreement between large and small states at the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Proposed bicameral legislature based on population size

Proposed unicameral legislature with one vote per state

Supporters of Constitution and wanted strong federal government

Opponents of Constitution and wanted smaller state governments

elected officials from each state get to put in votes for president (bc population would influence with small interest groups)

argued against the ratification of the US Constitution, stating that it would lead to an overly powerful central government that would infringe upon individual liberties.

James Madison, addresses danger of factions but argues that a large republic keeps any single faction from taking control

James Madison, argued that separation of powers would make the government efficient, dividing responsibilities and tasks

Alexander Hamilton, argued that the executive branch should only be the president

Alexander Hamilton, addresses (lack of) power of judicial branch and their check on Congress (advocates judicial review)

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch (executive orders, executive agreements)

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court gave itself the power to overturn laws passed by legislature (judicial review)

the Supreme Court’s power to overturn laws passed by legislature

(Article I, Section 8) allows Congress to make any legislation that they deem necessary to fulfill their duties

Constitution and federal laws win over state laws

ruled that states could not tax national bank

challenge to the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 (banned guns on school property), held that commerce clause didn’t allow regulation of carrying guns

powers delegated to the national government

powers belonging to the states

state and federal relations, citizenship, and annexation of new states

amendment process

supremacy clause, and existing debts are valid

ratification of the constitution

freedom of speech, protest, and press

right to bear arms

protection against quartering of soldiers

protection against search and seizure

rights of accused persons - no self-incrimination, double jeopardy, deprivation of life, liberty, and property without due process, and eminent domain (property)

right to fair trial - speedy, and public, jury if criminal, given counsel, and told charges

right to jury in federal civil cases

protection against cruel and unusual punishment

people have unenumerated rights

powers not outlined in the constitution are reserved for the states

impossible for a citizen of a state to sue another state

members of electoral college have one vote for president and one vote for vice president

Abolished slavery and indentured servitude except as punishment for a crime

Granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized (immigrated) in the United States

States cannot deny anyone the right to vote on the basis of race

grants Congress the power to collect income taxes and enact them in society

gave states the power to directly elect senators instead of being elected by state legislators

Prohibition

women’s suffrage

establishes the date newly elected President and officers of Congress take office

repealed Prohibtion

two-term limit for President

citizens of DC can vote in presidential elections but not congressional

forbids states to implement poll taxes

if the president dies or is unable to do his job the Vice President will take over, and the president will pick VP if the spot is empty

states cannot deny people to vote based on age (above 18)

congressional pay raise does not go into effect until next House election

shared by the federal and state government

federal grants for specific purpose with strict rules (ex. construction of a new building)

federal grants for a broad purpose that the state can use as they see fit (ex. welfare)

Congress may impeach SC judges or reject appointments

the Supreme Court may declare laws unconstitutional

Supreme Court may declare executive actions unconstitutional

the president appoints judges

Congress may reject treaties, appointments, withhold funding for initiatives, impeach the president, and override a veto

president may veto bills passed by Congress

A veto power that allows the executive to cancel specific parts of a bill (usually spending provisions) while signing into law the rest of the bill.

oversee bureaucracy, clarify and codify policy, and represent citizens

house of Congress with 100 members (2 per state). elections every two years with six-year terms

house of Congress with 435 members appointed by population. elections every two years with two-year terms

federal government can force states to redistrict every 10 years to account for population growth in counties

racial gerrymandering requires compelling state interest

oversees spending laws and taxing

(congress) members are representatives that mirror the views of their districts

(congress) members should consider their constituents’ beliefs but use their own judgement

(House) determines how long a bill will be debated and whether open or closed rules for amending bills are allowed

used to delay bill’s vote and tie up Senate’s work, usually by a senator making a very long speech

if president doesn’t sign every bill into law and congressional session ends during 10 days

permanent, specialized committee in Congress (ex. Ways and Means)

committee in Congresss with members from both houses

temporary committees created in each house for a special reason

temporary committees made up of members from committees of both houses who wrote a bill

leader of the House

the Vice President

temporary president of Senate when VP is absent

the First Amendment includes protections for independent spending in political campaigns as free speech

Ceremonial head of state, handles foreign policy, head of law enforcement, negotiates treaties

make (not declare) war, mobilize armed forces, chief strategist

morale, set legislative agenda, chief of partym

normal bureaucracies with presidential oversight

more independence, act as watchdogs over federal government; Congress and president are not supposed to interfere

independent agencies who fill in gaps and write rules

rule enforcement, punish violators

informal alliance made of three groups: particular industry + lobbyists, congressional committee dealing with that industry, and the agency that is affected (ex. American Association for Retired People (AARP), the House Subcommittee on Aging, and the Social Security Administration)

protections from discrimination based on race, gender, or other minorities

protections from the abuse of government power