Heimler's History: AP Government Unit 1 Review

Introduction

• Focus: Foundations of American democracy, the U.S. Constitution, and Federalism.
• Resources: Part of a broader AP Government review packet with practice materials and exams.

Foundations of American Democracy

Enlightenment Influence

• Natural Rights: Rights given by the creator, not by monarchs.
  • Important for establishing that rights can't be taken away by monarchs.
• Popular Sovereignty & Social Contract: Power lies with the people; government protects natural rights.
  • The duty of people to overthrow a tyrannical government.
• Republicanism: Government leaders are elected to represent the people.
  • Separation of powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Key Documents

• Declaration of Independence: Natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty.
• U.S. Constitution: Blueprint for republicanism and separation of powers.

Types of Democracy

• Participatory Democracy: Broad participation (e.g., town halls, state initiatives).
• Pluralist Democracy: Interest groups compete to influence policy (e.g., NAACP, NRA).
• Elite Democracy: Limited participation by educated individuals; seen in the electoral college.

Tension in Foundational Documents

• Federalist 10 vs. Brutus 1: Debate on majority rule vs. minority rights.
  • Federalist 10: Large republic mitigates faction's effects through competition.
  • Brutus 1: Warns against a large centralized government reducing personal liberties.

Development of the U.S. Constitution

Articles of Confederation

• Weaknesses: No federal taxation power, no national army, one legislative body.
• Events: Shay's Rebellion highlighted federal government's inability to quell uprisings.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

• Key Compromises:
  • Great Compromise: Bicameral Congress with population-based and equal representation.
  • Electoral College: Indirect presidential election mechanism.
  • Three-Fifths Compromise: Counting slaves for congressional representation.
  • Slave Trade Compromise: Postponed federal interference for 20 years.

Amendment Process

• Proposal: Two-thirds vote in Congress or special state convention.
• Ratification: Three-quarters of state legislatures or conventions.

Checks and Balances

Branch Powers

• Legislative: Proposes and makes laws; stakeholders can influence through letters and participation.
• Executive: Enforces laws; power to veto legislation.
• Judicial: Reviews constitutionality of laws through judicial review.

Federalism

• Definition: Sharing of power between national and state governments.
• Powers:
  • Exclusive Powers: Federal government only (e.g., treaties).
  • Reserved Powers: State powers (e.g., education, police).
  • Concurrent Powers: Shared by federal and state (e.g., taxation).

Fiscal Federalism

• Grants:
  • Categorical Grants: Specific purposes with federal conditions.
  • Block Grants: Broad purposes, more state discretion.
• Mandates: Federal requirements, possibly unfunded.

Constitutional Provisions and Supreme Court Cases

Key Amendments and Clauses

• 10th Amendment: Powers reserved to states.
• 14th Amendment: Applies Bill of Rights to states.
• Commerce Clause: Federal power over interstate commerce.
• Necessary and Proper Clause: Implies powers not explicitly listed.

Supreme Court Cases

• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Federal supremacy over state law.
• U.S. v. Lopez (1995): Limited Congress's reach under the Commerce Clause.

Federalism in Action

Examples

• Environmental Regulation: States' discretion post-Paris Agreement exit.
• Marijuana Legalization: State vs. federal law conflict, states as democracy laboratories.

Conclusion

• Study Tip: Utilize the review packet for comprehensive preparation.