AP American Government Midterm Study Guide
The AP Midterm will be about 110 multiple choice questions and true/false questions, covering Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9.
Note: This study guide may change slightly between now and midterms –updates will be provided.
Chapter 1 The Study of American Government
 Use, distribution, legitimacy, authority and change of Political Power
 Democracy—what is it? Is Representative the best form? Self Interest and Democracy (relationship)
 Philosophers Alexis de Tocqueville and Stuart Mill pg.9-10
Chapter 2 The Constitution
 Goals of the American Revolution
 Declaration of Independence
 Philosophers and their influence upon our foundation documents
 Articles of Confederation
 Shay’s Rebellion
 The set-up of the Constitution
o Compromises
o Amendment Process
o 6 Major Principles
 Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers
 Bill of Rights
 Powers and Checks and Balances of the three Branches of Government
 Slavery Issues pg 36-37
Chapter 3 Federalism
 Devolution
 Stages of Federalism
 Federalism and How is works in reality between the National and State government levels
 Why did the founders develop federalism? –its purpose and varying views from the founders
 Revenue—how it influences the federalism relationship
o Grants
o Mandates
 American opinion of devolution pg70
Chapter 4 American Political Culture
 Relationship between economics and political culture pg. 177
 Political Conflict pg. 78
 Trust in government
 The Socialist Party
 Generalities of shared views pg. 77 &81
Chapter 7 Public Opinion
 Public policy v. public opinion pg. 155
 Factors of influence on public opinion pg. 160
 The Gender Gap pg. 161
 Voting trends
 Pure Liberals pg 170
Chapter 9 Political Parties
 What is a political party?
 What role do they play in the US
 The historical evolution of political parties
 The convention system
 Political process/nominating of candidates (presidential v congress) pg.208
 Superdelegate(s) pg. 211
 Types of parties (ideological)
 Plurality in the electoral system pg 218
 Libertarians/Party
 US v other democratic nations pg 198