AP Gov't Review Round 1

Foundational Docs

100

Formal separation from Britain influenced by Enlightenment ideals

Declaration of Independence

200

 The first Constitution of the U.S. that favored strong state rights and a weak federal government

Articles of Confederation

300

Defines powers and limits of each branch of government through checks and balances

Constitution

400

Argument against the Constitution that there too many interests and the government will be too powerful

Brutus I

500

Letter that defends breaking the law through nonviolent protests against racial injustices

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Required Cases

100

Established the principle of judicial review

Marbury v Madison

200

Established the supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws

McCulloch v Maryland

300

Congress may not use the Commerce Clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime

US v Lopez

400

Legislative redistricting must be conscious of race and ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Shaw v Reno

500

Opened the door to equal protection challenges to redistricting and established the “one person, one vote” doctrine

What is Baker v. Carr?

Leg Branch

100

Chamber with two year terms

House of Representatives

200

This Article of the Constitution gives the legislative branch its power

Article I

300

The amount needed in each house to override a presidential veto

2/3rds

400

This house impeaches while this house holds the impeachment trial

House of Representatives impeaches & Senate conducts trial

500

This vote ends a filibuster in the Senate

Cloture

Executive Branch

100

This Article of the Constitution gives the executive branch its power

Article II

200

Quasi-Legislative decrees a President can use to chang government policy independent of Congress

Executive Orders

300

Agreement a president makes with another nation that does not require the Senate’s approval

Executive Agreement

400

Refusal to sign a bill if President receives a bill at the end of Congress’ legislative

Pocket Veto

500

Presidents have to give Congress notification of the use of military forces within 48 hours & can only deploy personnel 60 days without Congress' approval thanks to

War Powers Act of 1972

Judicial Branch

100

SCOTUS’ power to declare federal legislation invalid if it violates the Constitution

Judicial Review

200

Using position as a judge to make rulings that create changes in gov't policy

Judicial activism

300

Plays a minimal role in policy making by letting elected officials make policy, and follows precedent and Founding Fathers’ intent

Judicial Restraint

400

All judges must be approved by this body.

The Senate

500

Using the 14th Amendment, the Courts have used this principle to apply the Bill of Rights to the states

Selective Incorporation