Overview of AP Government Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy, U.S. Constitution, Federalism.
Mention of comprehensive review packet available with practice questions, essential questions, and full-length practice exams.
Enlightenment Influence
Natural Rights: Rights given by the Creator, inalienable by monarchs.
Popular Sovereignty & Social Contract: Power in people's hands, government serves people and should be overthrown if it violates social contract.
Republicanism: Elect leaders, separate powers among executive, legislative, judicial branches.
Limited Government: System of checks and balances, power distribution.
Influence on Foundational Documents:
Declaration of Independence: Popular sovereignty, social contract, natural rights.
Constitution: Blueprint for republicanism, separation of powers.
Models of Democracy
Participatory Democracy: Broad participation in political process (e.g., state initiatives, town halls).
Pluralist Democracy: Interest groups influence policy (e.g., NAACP, NRA).
Elite Democracy: Limited participation by educated elites (e.g., Electoral College).
Tension reflected in foundational documents: Constitution, Federalist 10, Brutus 1.
Foundational Documents
Federalist 10: James Madison's argument against the tyranny of factions, support for a large republic to manage factions.
Brutus 1: Anti-Federalist perspective, fear of large centralized government, emphasis on participatory democracy.
U.S. Constitution Formation
Articles of Confederation: Weak federal government, strong state powers, issues like lack of tax enforcement, no national army.
Shay's Rebellion: Highlighted weaknesses, led to Constitutional Convention.
Constitutional Compromises:
Great Compromise: Bicameral Congress, representation by population and equality.
Electoral College: State-chosen electors elect the President.
Three-Fifths Compromise: Counting enslaved persons for representation.
Slave Trade Compromise: Congress wouldn't address slave trade for 20 years.
Amendment Process: Proposal by Congress or states, ratification by three-quarters of states.
Separation of Powers
Legislative Branch: Makes laws, has power of advice and consent.
Executive Branch: Enforces laws, has veto power.
Judicial Branch: Judges constitutionality of laws, has judicial review.
Federalism
Definition: Sharing of power between national and state governments.
Types of Powers:
Exclusive Powers: Reserved for federal government.
Reserved Powers: Kept by states (e.g., education, police powers).
Concurrent Powers: Shared by federal and state governments.
Fiscal Federalism
Grants:
Categorical Grants: Specific federal standards.
Block Grants: Broad purposes, state discretion.
Mandates: Directives with provided funds or unfunded (largely reduced).
Federalism Tensions
Examples:
Government Surveillance: Patriot Act post-9/11.
Education: No Child Left Behind Act, federal overreach concerns.
Constitutional Provisions & Supreme Court Cases
Key Provisions:
10th Amendment: Powers reserved to states.
14th Amendment: Applies Bill of Rights to states.
Commerce Clause: Congress regulates interstate commerce.
Necessary and Proper Clause: Allows implied federal powers.
Supreme Court Cases:
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Federal power supremacy.
United States v. Lopez (1995): States' power in banning guns on school property.
Federalism in Action
Environmental Regulation: Carbon emission standards from Paris Agreement.
Marijuana Legalization: State-level legalization despite federal laws.
Conclusion
Heimler emphasizes understanding these foundational concepts for success in AP Government exams. Encouragement to use additional resources like the ultimate review packet.