Unit I Study Guide
Chapter 1
Direct democracy
Pluralist theory
Limited government
Great compromise
3/5ths compromise
Anti-Federalists
AP Government & Politics
Representative democracy
Popular sovereignty
Federalism
Connecticut Plan
Bill of Rights
Constitutionalism
Elite theory
Checks and balances
Articles of Confederation
New Jersey Plan
Federalists
Capitalism
pp. 9 – 12
1. Define liberty, equality, popular consent, individualism; explain how they define the American political
system
Ch. 2: The Constitution
Key Terms:
constitution
consent of the governed
Shays’ Rebellion
Virginia Plan
separation of powers
federalists
Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence
limited government
factions
Connecticut Compromise
checks and balances
Anti-Federalists
Marbury v. Madison
natural rights
Articles of Confederation
New Jersey Plan
writ of habeas corpus
republic
Federalist Papers
judicial review
Questions:
1. Make a list of the major grievances of the colonists under British rule.
2. What are the major components of John Locke’s political philosophy and how did they influence Thomas
Jefferson’s writing?
3. Name eight weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
4. Briefly describe the general philosophical views of the founding fathers on the following issues:
political conflict, objects of governments, and the nature of government.
5. What were the major equality issues at the Constitutional Convention and how were they resolved?
6. What were the major economic problems addressed at the Constitutional Convention and how were they
resolved?
7. Why did the founding fathers believe it was not necessary to address individual rights specifically in the
Constitution?
8. Describe the Madisonian model of government (hint: see p. 45).
9. Summarize the major differences between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists on the issues of civil
liberties, power of the states, and the economy.
11. Why did the Anti-Federalists believe the new Constitution was a class-based document?
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Unit I Study Guide
AP Government & Politics
12. Describe the different ways in which a formal constitutional amendment might be adopted.
14. List and explain the five Constitutional amendments that expanded the right to vote.
15. In what ways does the Constitution expand and diminish the scope of government.
Ch. 3: Federalism
Key Terms:
unitary / confederate / federal systems
McCulloch v. Maryland
Necessary and Proper Clause
reserved powers
Full Faith and Credit Clause
dual federalism
categorical grants
block grants
new federalism
enumerated powers
Elastic Clause
concurrent powers
Privileges and Immunities Clause
cooperative federalism
project grants
revenue sharing
Supremacy Clause
implied powers
Tenth Amendment
Gibbons v. Ogden
extradition
fiscal federalism
formula grants
Questions:
1. Describe the three general obligations that each state has to every other state under the Constitution.
2. How is dual federalism analogous to a layer cake and cooperative federalism analogous to a marble cake?
3. For what reasons might a state or locality not want to receive federal aid?
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of federalism?
5. How did industrialization increase the role of the national government?
6. Why don’t the states handle more issues?
7. Describe the relationship between local and state governments.
8. How has the national level of government benefited from the fact that the states have been allowed to do
most of the fundamental governing of the American people?
9. What is meant by the concept of “devolution” in terms of federalism?
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