American Government Study Guide
First Semester Exam
Exam Structure
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Part I – Multiple Choice (30%)
Part II – Short Answers (30%)
o Choose THREE of five short answer questions and provide responses of paragraph length
(3-5 sentences)
Part III – 2016 Election Essays
o Answer TWO questions about the 2016 Presidential Election and its results in a more
extended format. Each response ought to identify THREE central points of argument.
▪ Explain the results of this election. How/why did Donald Trump win and/or
Hillary Clinton lose?
▪ Critique the Electoral College system. Should we keep it as is, abolish it in favor
of direct popular election, or modify it in some form?
Content Concepts
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Four Essential Characteristics of States (pgs. 6-7)
John Locke & Social Contract Theory (8-9)
Systems of Government: Unitary, Federal, Confederate (15-17)
Five Basic Notions of Democracy (27-30)
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (56-57)
The Representation Debate: Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan, Connecticut Compromise (62-65)
The Ratification Debate: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists (68-69)
Bicameral Legislature (79)
Six Basic Principles of the Constitution (83-88)
The Formal Amendment Process (90-91)
The Bill of Rights (93-94)
Constitutional Powers: Delegated, Expressed, Implied, Reserved, Concurrent (101-105)
The Supremacy Clause (106)
Federal Grants: Categorical, Block, Project (115)
Interstate Relations: Full Faith & Credit and Extradition (117-118)
Theories of Representation: Delegate v. Trustee v. Partisan (130)
Legislative Oversight (131)
Gerrymandering (139)
Constitutional Qualifications for the House (142) and Senate (145)
The Commerce Clause (148)
Implied Powers: Strict vs. Liberal Construction of the “Necessary & Proper Clause” (160-161)
The Senate’s Role in Nominations & Treaties (164-165)
House Leadership: The Speaker of the House (173)
Senate Leadership: The Majority Leader (174)
Filibusters & Cloture (189-90)
Vetoes and Overrides (192)