Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings

S T U D Y G U I D E :

U N I T 1 C O N S T I T U T I O N A L U N D E R P I N N I N G S

D I R E C T I O N S : Use the study guide to assist you in preparing for the Unit Test. This should not be the only tool you use to study for the test. Review your notes and use your Pearson Prentice Hall review book along with GIA and We the People. Write your answers in your interactive notebook. It is for your benefit to make the answers to the review questions as complete as possible.

Remember, the test will cover everything you read. There WILL BE questions on the test addressing content we did not discuss in class but that you did read about in the textbook.

Theories of Government: 1. Define and explain the following theories of government: a. Pluralist theory b. Hyperpluralism theory c. Elite and class theory

Articles of Confederation & Constitutional Convention 2. What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? What were the strengths?

3. What happened in Shay’s Rebellion and why was it significant?

4. What did the New Jersey and Virginia Plans say? How did the Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) resolve the differences?

The Constitution & Bill of Rights: 5. What philiosophies did the founders have about government? Consider the following: a. Views about types of democracies b. Role of the people in a democracy

6. Define the following constitutional principles and give examples of each in action: a. Checks and Balances b. Federalism c. Separation of Powers d. Representative Government

7. Explain the significance of the following clauses and give specific examples (e.g. court cases) that exemplify this clause. Also, give examples of ways in which federal power has been expanded over time. a. Supremacy clause b. Elastic Clause c. Commerce Clause d. Full Faith and Credit Clause

8. How did the Constitution address the issue of slavery?

9. As written originially, what representatives were the only ones directly elected by the people?

10. What arguments did the Federalists make in support of the Constitution? Understand the argument made in Federalist #51.

11. What arguments did the Anti-Federalists make in opposition to the Constitution?

12. Why was the Bill of Rights added?

13. What does the 10th amendment say and what is the original intent of the amendment? In other words, why was it included in the Constitution?

APGOV (2010-2011) The Preuss School UCSD S T U D Y G U I D E :

U N I T 1 C O N S T I T U T I O N A L U N D E R P I N N I N G S

14. How are informal change made to the Constitution?

15. How are formal changes/amendments to the Constitution proposed and made? Know the complete process.

16. What is the difference between “implied powers” powers of the federal government and “reserved powers” of the state government? Know the clauses for each and have examples of each.

Federalism 17. Explain the difference between the following forms of federalism and gives examples: a. Dual federalism (Layer cake federalism) b. Cooperative federalism (Marble cake federalism) c. New Federalism

18. Cite specific examples of federal powers, state powers and concurrent powers.

Mandates 19. Define mandates. When and why can they be problematic for states?

20. Explain the argument between those who support a decentralist approach and those who support a centralist approach to mandates. Give specific examples (use silent debate examples to help). a. Give examples of ways in which federal power has been expanded over time.

21. List examples of the supreme court taking action against federal mandates.

22. Explain what happened in the following cases and which mandates they related to: a. U.S. v. Morrison (2000) b. U.S. v. Lopez (1995) c. Crawford v. Marion County Election Board and Indiana Democratic Party v. Rokita, 2008

23. What is the difference between block grants and categorical grants? a. Why did the 104th congress moved towards block grants? What is the process called when power is given back to the states?

24. Understand the following Acts: a. Welfare Reform Act of 1996 b. Americans with Disabilities Act c. Civil Rights Act of 1964 d. Clear Air Act e. No Child Left Behind f. Brady Bill

Terms: You should be able to identify the terms listed on your Unit 1 purple key terms guide as well as the constitutional clauses. Be sure you can also explain the significance of the terms and give examples.

FRQs: There will be two FRQs on the exam. You will need to answer both. They will deal with two of the topics listed above on the study guide.

APGOV (2010-2011) The Preuss School UCSD