Unit I Study Guide

Unit I Study Guide AP Government & Politics

Chapter 1 Direct democracy Representative democracy Elite theory Pluralist theory Popular sovereignty Checks and balances Limited government Federalism Articles of Confederation Great compromise Connecticut Plan New Jersey Plan 3/5ths compromise Bill of Rights Federalists Anti-Federalists Constitutionalism Capitalism pp. 9 – 12 1. Define liberty, equality, popular consent, individualism; explain how they define the American political system

Ch. 2: The Constitution Key Terms: constitution Declaration of Independence natural rights consent of the governed limited government Articles of Confederation Shays’ Rebellion factions New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan Connecticut Compromise writ of habeas corpus separation of powers checks and balances republic federalists Anti-Federalists Federalist Papers Bill of Rights Marbury v. Madison judicial review

Questions:

1. Make a list of the major grievances of the colonists under British rule.

2. What are the major components of John Locke’s political philosophy and how did they influence Thomas Jefferson’s writing?

3. Name eight weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

4. Briefly describe the general philosophical views of the founding fathers on the following issues:

political conflict, objects of governments, and the nature of government.

5. What were the major equality issues at the Constitutional Convention and how were they resolved?

6. What were the major economic problems addressed at the Constitutional Convention and how were they resolved?

7. Why did the founding fathers believe it was not necessary to address individual rights specifically in the Constitution?

8. Describe the Madisonian model of government (hint: see p. 45).

9. Summarize the major differences between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists on the issues of civil liberties, power of the states, and the economy.

11. Why did the Anti-Federalists believe the new Constitution was a class-based document?

1 Unit I Study Guide AP Government & Politics

12. Describe the different ways in which a formal constitutional amendment might be adopted.

14. List and explain the five Constitutional amendments that expanded the right to vote.

15. In what ways does the Constitution expand and diminish the scope of government.

Ch. 3: Federalism Key Terms: unitary / confederate / federal systems new federalism Supremacy Clause McCulloch v. Maryland enumerated powers implied powers Necessary and Proper Clause Elastic Clause Tenth Amendment reserved powers concurrent powers Gibbons v. Ogden Full Faith and Credit Clause Privileges and Immunities Clause extradition dual federalism cooperative federalism fiscal federalism categorical grants project grants formula grants block grants revenue sharing

Questions: 1. Describe the three general obligations that each state has to every other state under the Constitution.

2. How is dual federalism analogous to a layer cake and cooperative federalism analogous to a marble cake?

3. For what reasons might a state or locality not want to receive federal aid?

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of federalism?

5. How did industrialization increase the role of the national government?

6. Why don’t the states handle more issues?

7. Describe the relationship between local and state governments.

8. How has the national level of government benefited from the fact that the states have been allowed to do most of the fundamental governing of the American people?

9. What is meant by the concept of “devolution” in terms of federalism?