🏛️ AP US Government Interactive Cheat Sheet

Declaration of Independence (Jefferson): natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), popular sovereignty, social contract. U.S. Constitution establishes a republic.

Participatory: Broad participation in politics and civil society (e.g., town halls, initiatives). Pluralist: Group-based activism by nongovernmental interests striving for impact (e.g., interest groups like NRA, AARP). Elite: Limited participation by ceding power to a small group of educated/wealthy individuals (e.g., Electoral College).

Weak central government: no power to tax directly, no national currency, no executive/judicial branch, Shays' Rebellion highlighted weaknesses.

Great (Connecticut) Compromise: Bicameral legislature (House based on population, Senate equal representation). Electoral College: Compromise for presidential election. Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted slaves as 3/5 person for representation/taxation. Importation of Slaves Compromise: Slave trade couldn't be banned for 20 years.

Federalists (e.g., Madison, Hamilton, Jay): Supported strong national government, Constitution. Wrote Federalist Papers. Anti-Federalists (e.g., Brutus): Feared strong national government, advocated for states' rights, demanded Bill of Rights.

Inspired by Montesquieu. Three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) with distinct powers. Each branch can limit the power of others (Federalist No. 51).

Division of power between national and state governments. Expressed/Enumerated, Implied, Concurrent, Reserved powers. Tenth Amendment. McCulloch v. Maryland. U.S. v. Lopez.

Bicameral: Senate (100 members, 2 per state, 6-year terms, confirms appointments, ratifies treaties). House of Representatives (435 members, population-based, 2-year terms, initiates revenue bills).

Enumerated: Pass federal budget, tax, borrow money, coin money, declare war, regulate interstate commerce (Commerce Clause). Implied: "Necessary and Proper" Clause (Elastic Clause).

Bills introduced, committee action, floor debate, voting, conference committee (if needed), presidential action (sign, veto, pocket veto). Filibuster and cloture in Senate.

Political parties, committees (standing, select, joint, conference), Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, constituents, interest groups, lobbyists. Pork-barrel legislation, logrolling.

Formal Powers: Commander-in-Chief, make treaties, appoint ambassadors/judges, grant pardons, veto legislation. Informal Powers: Executive orders, executive agreements, signing statements, bully pulpit, power of persuasion.

Modern technology (social media, press conferences) enhances direct communication. Federalist No. 70 (energetic executive). Term limits (22nd Amendment). Impeachment process. War Powers Resolution.

Supreme Court (SCOTUS) is highest court. Justices serve for life ("good behavior"). Federalist No. 78 (independent judiciary, judicial review). Marbury v. Madison established judicial review. Precedent (stare decisis). Judicial activism vs. judicial restraint.

Non-elected government officials implementing policy. Cabinet departments, independent agencies, government corporations, regulatory commissions. Rule-making, administrative adjudication. Checks: congressional oversight, presidential appointments, judicial review. Iron triangles, issue networks.

Protects individual freedoms from government infringement. Initially applied only to federal government.

Religion: Establishment Clause (Engel v. Vitale), Free Exercise Clause (Wisconsin v. Yoder). Speech: Protected (Tinker v. Des Moines), but limitations (Schenck v. U.S. - "clear and present danger"). Symbolic speech. Press: Prior restraint limited (New York Times Co. v. U.S.). Assembly & Petition.

Right to bear arms. Interpreted as individual right (D.C. v. Heller), incorporated to states (McDonald v. Chicago).

Protection against unreasonable searches/seizures (4th). Due process, self-incrimination, double jeopardy (5th). Speedy/public trial, right to counsel (6th - Gideon v. Wainwright). Protection against cruel/unusual punishment (8th). Miranda Rule (must be informed of rights). Exclusionary rule.

Due Process Clause (14th): Prevents states from denying life, liberty, property without due process. Basis for selective incorporation of Bill of Rights to states. Right to privacy implied (not explicitly stated - Griswold v. Connecticut, Roe v. Wade).

"No state shall...deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Basis for civil rights movements. Brown v. Board of Education. Civil Rights Act of 1964. Voting Rights Act of 1965. Affirmative Action.

African American Civil Rights Movement (MLK Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"). Women's Rights Movement (National Organization for Women - NOW, Title IX). LGBTQ+ Rights Movement.

Process by which individuals acquire political values, beliefs, and attitudes. Key agents: family, school, peers, media, civic/religious organizations. Generational and lifecycle effects.

Core values: individualism, equality of opportunity, free enterprise, rule of law, limited government.

Liberal: Favors more government regulation of economy, social safety nets, protection of individual rights (especially for disadvantaged groups). Conservative: Favors less government regulation of economy, more individual responsibility, traditional values. Libertarian: Favors minimal government intervention in both economic and social spheres.

Measuring public opinion through scientific polls (random sampling, margin of error). Types: opinion, benchmark, tracking, entrance/exit polls. Influence policy debates.

Different ideologies lead to contrasting views on economic policy (Keynesian vs. supply-side, fiscal vs. monetary policy) and social policy (privacy, social safety nets).

15th: Suffrage for Black men. 19th: Women's suffrage. 24th: Abolished poll taxes. 26th: Voting age to 18. Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Factors influencing turnout: education, income, age, political efficacy, registration laws, election type. Models of voting behavior: rational choice, retrospective, prospective, party-line.

Connect citizens to government: Political Parties (nominate candidates, mobilize voters, create platforms). Interest Groups (lobbying, grassroots activism, litigation, provide information). Elections (primaries, caucuses, general elections, Electoral College). Media (agenda setting, watchdog, scorekeeper, gatekeeper).

Modern campaigns heavily reliant on media, fundraising. Campaign finance laws (FECA, BCRA). Impact of Citizens United v. FEC (Super PACs, independent expenditures).

Third parties face challenges (winner-take-all, funding) but can influence elections. Interest groups use various tactics to influence policy. Free rider problem.