AP Gov Midterm Review

Branches of Government

100

The legislative branch; the executive branch; the judicial branch.

What are the three branches of government in the US?

200

The body of Congress that apportions members based on state population.

What is the House of Representatives?

300

The system that allows power to be distributed amongst the branches of government so that one branch of government does not have dominant power in the central government.

What is the system of checks and balances?

400

The Framers intended for this branch of government to be nonpartisan. It is one of the reasons why a lobbyist would not, and should not, try to lobby anyone within this branch.

What is the judicial branch?

500

The two branches of government responsible for passing a budget for the federal government.

What are the executive and legislative branches?

Constitutional Clauses and Amendments

100

This amendment gives states all the powers not explicitly delegated to the central government in the original Constitution.

What is the 10th Amendment?

200

The amendment that gave African-Americans citizenship following the end of the Civil War. It also created the incorporation doctrine which applied most of the Bill of Rights to protecting residents from their state's government.

What is the 14th Amendment?

300

This is the amendment that protects you from unnecessary search and seizures by police.

What is the Fourth Amendment?

400

This clause is the basis for implied powers of the U.S. Congress. In this clause, it asserts that Congress may pass any laws that are fundamental to the functioning of the United States.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

500

The clause that allows Congress to regulate interstate trade. It was also the clause Congress used to pass the "Gun Free School Zones Act" which was later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court

What is the Commerce Clause?

Federalism

100

The clause in the Constitution that specifies the relationship between federal and state law, when the two are in conflict.

What is the Supremacy Clause?

200

An example of this is the ability of both states and the federal government to pass laws and to impose taxes.

What are concurrent powers?

300

This landmark U.S. Supreme Court case's decision sided with the federal government by asserting that the U.S. Congress had the right to create and regulate national banks.

What is McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)? (Will accept the answer with minor spelling errors, also without the date)

400

A tool of fiscal federalism where the central government gives funds to the states for broad purposes, allowing states to determine how to specifically apply the funds. 

What are block grants?

500

Name one enumerated power, one concurrent power, and one reserved power. 

Answers may vary.

Elections

100

The winner-take-all-system is part of this. It is also the reason why Americans technically do not directly vote for the office of the president and vice president.

What is the electoral college?

200

This is the age group that is the least likely to vote. (Choices are: young Americans, middle aged Americans, and elderly Americans)

Who are young Americans?

300

This type of candidate is most likely to win an election due to name recognition, ability to fundraise, and ability to directly resolve constituents' concerns.

Who are incumbent candidates?

400

This demographic (race) group most consistently votes for the most liberal candidates.

Who are African-Americans? (Other acceptable responses include Black Americans)

500

Name three positions in government that are comprised of ELECTED officials.

What are senators, representatives, and the president?

Basic Vocabulary

100

Power is shared between a central government and state/local governments

What is federalism?

200

These are the powers explicitly delegated to the different branches of government within the U.S. Constitution. For example, Article I clearly states that it is the job of Congress to deal with pirates and to provide the funds to maintain an army.

What are enumerated powers?

300

This is the president's power/platform to influence which issues the American public pays attention to and takes action on.

What is the bully pulpit?

400

This was the plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention that proposed a bicameral and strengthened legislative branch.

What is the Virginia Plan?

500

This late 18th century uprising demonstrated a need to reform the Articles of Confederation in order to create a stronger national government.

What is Shay's Rebellion?