Heimler's History: AP Government - Unit 1 Review

Overview

• Main Topics:

  • Foundations of American Democracy
  • Creation of the U.S. Constitution
  • Federalism

• Resources Available:

  • AP Government Review Packet (includes practice questions, essential questions, full-length practice exams)

Foundations of American Democracy

Enlightenment Influence

• Natural Rights:

  • Rights inherent to all humans, not given by monarchs.
  • Based on the idea of a theoretical state of nature where humans are free.

• Popular Sovereignty & Social Contract:

  • Power to govern comes from the people.
  • People give power to government to protect natural rights (social contract).
  • If government becomes tyrannical, the people have a duty to overthrow it.

• Republicanism:

  • People elect leaders to represent them and create laws.
  • Power separated between three branches (executive, legislative, judicial).

• Limited Government:

  • Prevents tyranny through checks and balances and power distribution.

Foundational Documents

• Declaration of Independence:

  • Basis for popular sovereignty, social contract, and natural rights.

• U.S. Constitution:

  • Blueprint for republicanism and separation of powers.

Types of Democracy

• Participatory Democracy:

  • Broad participation by society members.
  • Examples: Town halls, state initiatives, and referenda.

• Pluralist Democracy:

  • Influence through interest groups (e.g., NAACP, NRA).

• Elite Democracy:

  • Limited policy-making participation.
  • Example: Electoral College.

Key Debates

• Federalist 10 vs. Brutus 1:
  • Federalist 10 supports pluralist democracy (competing factions protect liberty).
  • Brutus 1 supports participatory democracy (fears large centralized government).

Creation of the U.S. Constitution

Articles of Confederation

• Weaknesses:
  • Only one branch (Congress), no power to tax or raise an army.
  • Shay's Rebellion highlighted need for stronger federal government.

Constitutional Convention

• Compromises:
  • Great Compromise: Bicameral Congress (House by population, Senate equally).
  • Electoral College: Method of electing the president.
  • 3/5 Compromise: Counting enslaved people for representation.
  • Slave Trade Compromise: No interference for 20 years post-ratification.

Amendment Process

• Article 5:
  • Proposal by Congress or states, requires 2/3 vote.
  • Ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures or conventions.

Federalism

Definition

• Sharing of power between national and state governments.

Types of Powers

• Exclusive Powers: Federal government only.
• Reserved Powers: State governments, as per the 10th Amendment.
• Concurrent Powers: Shared by federal and state governments.

Fiscal Federalism

• Categorical Grants: Specific purposes with federal standards.
• Block Grants: Broad purposes with state discretion.
• Mandates: Federal directives, sometimes unfunded.

Constitutional Provisions and Court Cases

• Key Amendments/Clauses:

  • 10th and 14th Amendments
  • Commerce Clause
  • Necessary and Proper Clause

• Supreme Court Cases:

  • McCulloch v. Maryland: Federal power through necessary and proper clause.
  • United States v. Lopez: State power, limits on commerce clause.

Examples of Federalism

• Environmental Regulation: State vs. federal standards post-Paris Agreement.

• Legalization of Marijuana: State legalization despite federal prohibition.

• States act as "laboratories for democracy," experimenting with policies.