AP GOVERNMENT REVIEW SET 2023
UPDATED – 355 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
10th Amendment - -Powers not expressly given to federal
government by the Constitution are reserved to states or the
people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or "states'
rights amendment"
-13th Amendment - -Abolished slavery. First of three
"Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War (1865-70)
-14th Amendment - -(1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens;
(2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without
DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can deprive a person of
EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws. Second of three
"Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War.
-15th Amendment - -States cannot deny any person the right to
vote because of race. Third of three "Reconstruction
Amendments" passed after Civil War. First Voting Rights
Amendment (with 19, 24 & 26)
-16th Amendment - -Power of Congress to tax income
-17th Amendment - -Established the direct election of senators
(instead of being chosen by state legislatures)
-19th Amendment - -States cannot deny the right to vote based
on gender
-1st Amendment - -Freedom of religion (establishment & free
exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, and petition.
-22nd Amendment - -Limits the president to two terms.
, -23rd Amendment - -Gives Washington DC electoral college
votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in
Congress)
-24th Amendment - -Abolishes poll taxes
-26th Amendment - -States cannot deny the right to vote based
on age (18+)
-2nd Amendment - -Right to arm bears. Supported by National
Rifle Association interest group & Republican Party.
-4th Amendment - -No "unreasonable" searches and seizures.
Exclusionary rule (Weeks v. US, Mapp v. Ohio)
-5th Amendment - -(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda)
(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the
same, or similar charges)
(3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process
of law" (fair treatment)
-6th Amendment - -The right to counsel in criminal trials.
Gideon v. Wainwright held that states must provide indigent
defendants with a free lawyer ("public defender"). Right to jury
in criminal trials.
-7th Amendment - -Right to jury in civil trials.
-8th Amendment - -Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual
punishment. Meaning of "cruel" based on "evolving standards of
decency that mark the progress of a maturing society."
Categorical bans on death penalty: juveniles, retarded, non-
murder crimes...
-9th Amendment - -Unenumerated Rights Amendment. Citizens
have unenumerated rights in addition to those stated in the
,Constitution. Not been developed by Supreme Court (too open
ended)
-Constitution - -A nation's basic law, creates political
institutions, assigns or divides power in government and often
provides certain guarantees to citizens. Can be written or
unwritten.
-Agents of Socialization - -Family (most important); TV/media
(growing in importance); friends/peers; school (formal
socialization). How we develop (absorb) opinions & beliefs.
-American Political Culture - -A set of basic, foundational values
and beliefs about government that is shared by most citizens.
Key elements: democracy, equality before the law, limited
government, capitalism & private property
-Anti-Federalists - -A group who opposed the ratification of the
Constitution in 1787. They opposed a strong central government
(tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a rat!"
-Articles of Confederation - -Set up the 1st independent
American government (1783-88). Nonbinding "league of
friendship" among sovereign states with weak central
government to help with common defense & cooperation (like the
European Union). Replaced by our current constitution in 1788.
-Bandwagon Effect - -"Copy-cat" behavior. People often do
things just because other people do them. In primary elections, it
is when people support the candidate everyone else seems to be
supporting (poll leaders). Leads to Primary Frontloading (states
want to have the most impact in the primary process)
-Block Grants - -Grants ($) given to the states by the federal
government for a general purpose (like education or road-
building). Unlike categorical grants, states have discretion to
decide how to spend the money. Example = Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) (States develop and
implement welfare programs using federal money).
, -Casework - -Assistance given to individual constituents by
congressional members, like helping an elderly person figure out
how to get Medicare benefits. Major incumbency advantage.
-Categorical Grant - -A grant ($) given to the states by the
federal government for a specific purpose or program. The
federal government tells the states exactly how to spend the
money (no state discretion unlike block grants). Example =
Medicaid. Most common type of federal grant because it gives
Congress the most control over the states.
-Checks and Balances - -A major principle of the American
system of government. Helps maintain separation of powers so
that no one branch gets too powerful. Explained in Federalist 51.
Examples: President vetos laws; Senate confirms appointments &
treaties; Congress impeaches president & judges...
-Chief Justice John Marshall - -In office from 1801-1835 (longest
serving CJ). Supported increased power of federal government.
Decided McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden, and Marbury
v. Madison.
-Civil Rights Act of 1964 - -Prohibits discrimination based on
race or gender in employment or public accommodations
(restaurants, hotels). Created EEOC to enforce. Based on
Congress's interstate commerce clause power (discrimination
impacts interstate commerce). The most important federal civil
rights law.
-Commerce Clause - -Art. 1, Sec. 8 of the Constitution
(enumerated power). Congress has the power to regulate
commerce with foreign nations, among the several states
["Interstate Commerce Clause"], and with the Indians.
Interpreted by the Supreme Court very broadly (Gibbons v.
Ogden) until Lopez & Morrison.
UPDATED – 355 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
10th Amendment - -Powers not expressly given to federal
government by the Constitution are reserved to states or the
people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or "states'
rights amendment"
-13th Amendment - -Abolished slavery. First of three
"Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War (1865-70)
-14th Amendment - -(1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens;
(2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without
DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can deprive a person of
EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws. Second of three
"Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War.
-15th Amendment - -States cannot deny any person the right to
vote because of race. Third of three "Reconstruction
Amendments" passed after Civil War. First Voting Rights
Amendment (with 19, 24 & 26)
-16th Amendment - -Power of Congress to tax income
-17th Amendment - -Established the direct election of senators
(instead of being chosen by state legislatures)
-19th Amendment - -States cannot deny the right to vote based
on gender
-1st Amendment - -Freedom of religion (establishment & free
exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, and petition.
-22nd Amendment - -Limits the president to two terms.
, -23rd Amendment - -Gives Washington DC electoral college
votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in
Congress)
-24th Amendment - -Abolishes poll taxes
-26th Amendment - -States cannot deny the right to vote based
on age (18+)
-2nd Amendment - -Right to arm bears. Supported by National
Rifle Association interest group & Republican Party.
-4th Amendment - -No "unreasonable" searches and seizures.
Exclusionary rule (Weeks v. US, Mapp v. Ohio)
-5th Amendment - -(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda)
(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the
same, or similar charges)
(3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process
of law" (fair treatment)
-6th Amendment - -The right to counsel in criminal trials.
Gideon v. Wainwright held that states must provide indigent
defendants with a free lawyer ("public defender"). Right to jury
in criminal trials.
-7th Amendment - -Right to jury in civil trials.
-8th Amendment - -Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual
punishment. Meaning of "cruel" based on "evolving standards of
decency that mark the progress of a maturing society."
Categorical bans on death penalty: juveniles, retarded, non-
murder crimes...
-9th Amendment - -Unenumerated Rights Amendment. Citizens
have unenumerated rights in addition to those stated in the
,Constitution. Not been developed by Supreme Court (too open
ended)
-Constitution - -A nation's basic law, creates political
institutions, assigns or divides power in government and often
provides certain guarantees to citizens. Can be written or
unwritten.
-Agents of Socialization - -Family (most important); TV/media
(growing in importance); friends/peers; school (formal
socialization). How we develop (absorb) opinions & beliefs.
-American Political Culture - -A set of basic, foundational values
and beliefs about government that is shared by most citizens.
Key elements: democracy, equality before the law, limited
government, capitalism & private property
-Anti-Federalists - -A group who opposed the ratification of the
Constitution in 1787. They opposed a strong central government
(tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a rat!"
-Articles of Confederation - -Set up the 1st independent
American government (1783-88). Nonbinding "league of
friendship" among sovereign states with weak central
government to help with common defense & cooperation (like the
European Union). Replaced by our current constitution in 1788.
-Bandwagon Effect - -"Copy-cat" behavior. People often do
things just because other people do them. In primary elections, it
is when people support the candidate everyone else seems to be
supporting (poll leaders). Leads to Primary Frontloading (states
want to have the most impact in the primary process)
-Block Grants - -Grants ($) given to the states by the federal
government for a general purpose (like education or road-
building). Unlike categorical grants, states have discretion to
decide how to spend the money. Example = Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) (States develop and
implement welfare programs using federal money).
, -Casework - -Assistance given to individual constituents by
congressional members, like helping an elderly person figure out
how to get Medicare benefits. Major incumbency advantage.
-Categorical Grant - -A grant ($) given to the states by the
federal government for a specific purpose or program. The
federal government tells the states exactly how to spend the
money (no state discretion unlike block grants). Example =
Medicaid. Most common type of federal grant because it gives
Congress the most control over the states.
-Checks and Balances - -A major principle of the American
system of government. Helps maintain separation of powers so
that no one branch gets too powerful. Explained in Federalist 51.
Examples: President vetos laws; Senate confirms appointments &
treaties; Congress impeaches president & judges...
-Chief Justice John Marshall - -In office from 1801-1835 (longest
serving CJ). Supported increased power of federal government.
Decided McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden, and Marbury
v. Madison.
-Civil Rights Act of 1964 - -Prohibits discrimination based on
race or gender in employment or public accommodations
(restaurants, hotels). Created EEOC to enforce. Based on
Congress's interstate commerce clause power (discrimination
impacts interstate commerce). The most important federal civil
rights law.
-Commerce Clause - -Art. 1, Sec. 8 of the Constitution
(enumerated power). Congress has the power to regulate
commerce with foreign nations, among the several states
["Interstate Commerce Clause"], and with the Indians.
Interpreted by the Supreme Court very broadly (Gibbons v.
Ogden) until Lopez & Morrison.
