AP Government Summer Assignment Spring 2013
Ms. Davis (room 138) and Mr. Lloyd (room 232)
The United States AP Government course will focus on the themes below:
1. Constitutional Development
2. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
3. The Institutions of Government
4. The Political Process and Political Beliefs
5. Interest Groups, Political Parties and Mass Media
6. Public Policy Issues
This summer you are required to study the United States Constitution. You can find it on line and at
every local library. The questions below will guide you through your study of the constitution and
prepare you for the test which is scheduled the first week of fall semester. Please answer the questions
below. The test is open notes.
The Constitution Questions
1. According to the Preamble, what is the purpose of the government?
Article I
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What is the main idea of Article 1?
Describe the legislative branch:
What are the qualifications for the members of the House of Representatives?
What are the qualifications for the members of the Senate?
What is the role of the state executive in the Congress?
What is the role of the state legislature with the US Congress?
Name a restriction placed on senators and representatives while they are serving their
congressional terms:
9. What are the duties of the Congress?
10. What are the restrictions placed on the states in Article I of the constitution?
11. Do members of congress receive payment for their services?
Article II
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
What is the main idea of Article II?
How are Electors chosen?
What is the role of congress in the selection of the President?
What are the qualifications of the president?
Does the President receive pay for services rendered?
What are the duties of the President?
What is the purpose of the State of the Union Address?
What are the requirements for impeachment?
Article III
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
What is the main idea of Article III?
What is the origin of the United States Supreme Court?
Who establishes the federal courts?
Do Supreme Court justices and federal judges receive pay for their service?
In which cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?
Describe how the constitution defines treason:
Article IV
26. Explain what is meant by full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public records
and judicial proceedings of every other state, please provide examples:
27. “You are Citizens of the United States and residents of the State” how does the constitution
enforce this statement in Article IV?
28. Describe how the concept of extradition is stated in Article IV:
29. What is the procedure used for a territory to attain state status?
30. What does the constitution guarantee every state?
Article V
31. Explain the four ways that the constitution can be amended (changed):
Article VI
32. It was difficult to pass the constitution; many say that Article VI ensured the passage of the
constitution. Read Article VI and tell me why this Article may have convinced the states to pass
the constitution:
33. Discuss the supremacy clause:
34. What must every public official take an oath to do?
Article VII
35. What was necessary for the ratification of the Constitution?
The Amendments
36. How many amendments deal with individual protection from government abuse? List them:
37. Which amendments define suffrage? List them:
38. There are four amendments that deal with the office of the president; discuss what is covered in
each:
39. There are three amendments that deal with congress; discuss what is covered in each?
40. How many times has an amendment to the constitution been changed; tell me the story:
41. Discuss the significance of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the constitution:
42. Which amendments discuss voting rights?
43. How was the role of congress redefined in the 17th, 20th and 27th Amendments?
44. Explain how the role of the President was redefined in the 20th, 22nd, 23rd and 25th Amendments?
It is important that you understand the significance of important legislation, terms and court cases.
Therefore you are required to copy the key legislation, the key terms and the key court cases listed below
onto (minimum size: 3” x 5”) index cards. You will need to bring these cards to class with you and refer to
them during class discussions. Please bring the index cards to class with you the first week of school to
receive full credit.
Legislation
1. Hatch Act - Federal Bureaucracy Chapter 15
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Limits political activities of civil employees
2. Civil Rights Act 1964 – Civil Rights and Public Policy Chapter 5
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Title II: bans discrimination in public places on basis of race, color, national origin or religion
Title VI: bans discrimination in the use of Federal Funds because of race, color, national
origin, gender, or physical disability
Prohibits employment discrimination on basis of all of the above plus sex
Allows employers to give racial preferences in hiring
Executive Order #1246 required federal contractors to adopt affirmative action programs
Allowed class action suits
Enforced by the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
3. Voting Rights Act of 1965 – Civil Rights and Public Policy Chapter 5
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Suspended literacy tests
Empowered federal officials to register voters
Empowered federal officials to ensure that citizens could vote
Empowered federal officials to count ballots
Prohibited states from changing voting procedures without federal permission
4. Age Discrimination in Employment Act 1957 – Civil Rights and Public Policy Chapter 5
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Bans age discrimination for jobs unless age is related to job performance
5. Air Quality Act 1967 and various Clean Air Acts 1960s – 1990s – The Presidency Chapter 13
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Established emissions standards for care and factories.
Established minimum standards for states
6. Federal Election Campaign Acts 1971 –1974 –Nominations and Campaigns Chapter 9
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Created the FEC (Federal Elections Commission)
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Required disclosure of contributions and expenditures
Provided limitations on contributions and presidential election expenditures
Provided subsidies for presidential candidates
7. Title IX of Education Act of 1972- Civil Rights and Public Policy Chapter 5
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Prohibited gender discrimination in federally subsidized education programs
8. War Powers Act 1973 – The Presidency Chapter 13
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President could send troops overseas to an area where hostilities were imminent only if he
notified Congress within 48 hours
He withdrew troops within 60 – 90 days
He consulted with Congress if troops were engaged in combat
Congress can pass a resolution to have troops withdrawn at any time
9. Freedom of Information Act 1974 – The Presidency Chapter 13
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Allows public access to non-classified federal documents
10. Budget and Impoundment Control Act, 1974 – The Congress Chapter 14
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Established congressional budget committees
Established the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Extended budget process by three months
Allows either house to override temporary impoundment (deferral)
Automatically voids permanent impoundment (rescission) unless both houses approve within
45 days
11. Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Bill, 1985 – The Congress Chapter 14
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Set gradual budget reduction targets to lead to a balanced budget
Across the board budget cuts (sequestering of funds) to kick in if targets not met
Loopholes – abandonment in late 80s
12. Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 – Civil Rights Chapter 5
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Bans job discrimination against disabled if reasonable accommodation can be made
Requires access to facilities for handicapped
13. National Voter Registration Bill (“Motor Voter Act”) 1993 –Election and Voting Behavior Chapter 10
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Requires states to allow people to register to vote when applying for drivers licenses applications
or completing license renewal forms
14. Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 1993 Civil Liberties Chapter 4
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Restored compelling purpose guideline for courts to use when states restrict religious liberty.
Stuck down by the Supreme Court in Borne v. Flores
15. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 – The Congress Chapter 14
 Requires CBO to analyze impact of unfunded mandates on states
 Requires separate congressional vote on bills that impose unfunded mandates
16. Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (Welfare Reform Act of 1996) –
Social Welfare Policy Making Chapter 18
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Ended federal entitlement status of welfare
In its place, federal government gave block grants to states to administer welfare
Strings attached to these grants
Recipients must work within 2 years
Recipients cannot receive benefits for more than 5 years
17. Communications Decency Act (CDA) 1997 -Civil Liberties Chapter 4
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Prohibited circulation of “indecent “material or internet to minors. Struck down by Supreme
Court
19. No Child Left Behind Act, 2001 –Federalism Chapter 3
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States must adopt education accountability standards
States must annually test students
Sanctions against schools that fail to meet adequate yearly progress
19. USA Patriot Act, 2001 – Civil Liberties Chapter 4
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Strengthens the federal government’s power to conduct surveillance, perform searches, and
detain individuals in order to combat terrorism
20. McCain-Feingold Bill (Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002) – Nominations and Campaigns
Chapter 9
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Prohibits national political party committees from raising or spending any funds not subject to
federal limits
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Defining issue advocacy advertisements as electioneering communications when aired 30 days
before a primary or caucus and 60 days before a general election
 Prohibiting electioneering communications from being paid for by corporations or unions
Key Terms:
Constitutional Underpinnings
1. Bicameral Legislature – two house legislature
2. Block Grant – money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (e.g.
transportation) rather than for a narrow purpose (e.g. school lunch program)
3. Categorical Grant – money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose
(e.g. school lunch program) rather than for a broad purpose (e.g. transportation).
4. Centralist – those who favor greater national authority rather than state authority
5. Checks and Balances – system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the
other two branches, (e.g. presidential veto of a congressional law).
6. Commerce Clause – gives congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with
foreign nations, and among Indian Tribes. Granted through Article 1 section 8 of the
Constitution.
7. Concurrent Powers – those held by both Congress and the states (e.g. establishing law
enforcement agencies).
8. Confederation – system in which sovereign states are only loosely tied to a central government,
(e.g. the US under the Articles of Confederation).
9. Decentralists – those who favor greater state authority rather than national authority.
10. Direct Democracy –system in which the people rule themselves
11. Elastic Clause – states that Congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper”
for carrying out the enumerated powers, (e.g. establishment of the first Bank of the United
States)
12. Enumerated Powers – those that are specifically granted to congress in Article 1, section 8 of the
Constitution, (e.g. the power to tax.) Also known as expressed powers.
13. Federalism – constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state
governments. Different varieties:
a. Dual Federalism: system in which the national government and state governments are
coequal, with each being dominant within its respective sphere.
b. Cooperative Federalism – also known as “marble cake federalism,” involved the national
and state governments sharing functions and collaborating on major national priorities.
This relationship predominated between 1930 and 1960.
c. Creative Federalism, also known as “picket fence federalism,” predominated during the
period 1960 to 1980. This relationship was characterized by overloaded cooperation and
crosscutting regulations
d. New Federalism – system in which the national government restores greater authority
back to the states
14. Federalist Papers – group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of
persuading the people of New York to adopt the Constitution.
15. Implied Powers – those that are “necessary and proper” to carry out Congress enumerated
powers, and are granted to Congress through the elastic clause.
16. Indirect Democracy – system in which the people are ruled by their representatives. Also known
as representative democracy or republic.
17. Inherent Powers – foreign policy powers (e.g. acquiring territory) held by the national
government by virtue of its being a national government.
18. Informal Amendment – a change in the meaning, but not the wording of the Constitution, (e.g.
through a court decisions such as Brown v. Board)
19. Judicial Review – power of the courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and government
actions. Established by Marbury v. Madison, 1803.
20. Mandates – requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are
unfunded mandates, i.e., they are imposed by the national government, but lack funding.
21. Marbury v. Madison, 1803 – established the power of judicial review.
22. McCulloch v Maryland 1819 – established principle of national supremacy and validity of implied
powers.
23. Police Powers – powers of the states to protect the public health, safety, morals and welfare of
the public.
24. Popular Sovereignty – principle in which ultimate political authority rests with the people.
25. Reserved Powers – held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to
the US government is “reserved” for the states.
26. Separation of Powers – principle in which the powers of government are separated among three
branches: legislative, executive, judicial
27. Shay’s Rebellion – 1785 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and
foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention
28. Supermajority – a majority greater than a simple majority of one over half, (e.g. 3/5ths or 2/3rds)
29. Unicameral Legislature – one house legislature
Political Beliefs/Political Behaviors
30. Attentive Public – those who follow politics and public affairs carefully
31. Australian Ballot – secret ballot printed at the expense of the state
32. Balancing the Ticket – occurs when a presidential nominee chooses a vice presidential running
mate who has different qualities in order to attract more votes for the ticket
33. Blanket Primary – election to choose candidates that is open to independents and that allows
voters to choose candidates from all the parties
34. Caucus – local party meeting
35. Closed Primary – party election to choose candidates that is closed to independents. Voters may
not cross party lines.
36. Coattail Effect – the influence of a popular presidential candidate on the election of
congressional candidates of the same party
37. Demographics – characteristics of populations, (e.g. race, sex, income)
38. Direct Election – election of an official directly by the people rather than by an intermediary
group such as the Electoral College
39. Direct Primary – election in which the people choose candidates for office
40. Fixed Terms – terms of office that have a definite length of time, (e.g. two years for a member of
the House)
41. Front Loading – scheduling primary elections early (e.g. February or March) in an election year
42. Gender Gap – difference in voting patterns for men and women, particularly in the greater
tendency of the latter to vote for Democratic presidential candidates
43. General Election – election in which the office holders are chosen. Contrast with a primary
election, in which only the candidates are chosen
44. Hard Money – campaign contributions donated directly to candidates
45. Ideology – set of beliefs about political values and the role of government
46. Incumbent – an officeholder who is seeking reelection
47. Independent – one is not registered with a political party. Independent leaners tend to vote for
candidates of one particular party, whereas pure independents have no consistent pattern of
party voting.
48. Issue Advocacy Ads – ads that focus on issues and do not explicitly encourage citizens to vote for
a specific candidate
49. Open Primary – election to choose candidates that is open to independents and in which voters
may choose candidates from any one party.
50. Party Identification – a series of affiliation that a person has with a particular political party
51. Party Platform – a list of positions and programs that the party adopts at the national
convention. Each position is called a plank
52. Political Culture – the widely shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens share about their
government
53. Plurality – more votes than anyone else, but less than half, (e.g. Clinton won a plurality 43% of
popular votes in 1992, but not a majority. Plurality elections such as those for Congress are won
by the person with the most votes regardless if he/she has a majority.
54. Political Efficacy – capacity to understand and influence political events
55. Political Socialization – process in which one acquires his/her political beliefs.
56. Realigning (“critical”) election – an election in which there is a long term change in party
alignment, (e.g. 1932)
57. Safe Seat – an office that is extremely likely to be won by a particular candidate or political party
58. Single member district system – system in which the people elect one representative per district.
With a winner-take-all rule, this system strengthens the two major parties and weakens minor
parties.
59. Soft Money – campaign contributions that are not donated directly to candidates, but are
instead donated to parties
60. Solid South – historically, the South voted solidly Democratic. However, the South is now
strongly Republican. Bush carried every Southern state in 2000.
61. Split Ticket Voting – casting votes for candidates of one’s own party and for candidates of
opposing parties, (e.g. voting for a Republican presidential candidate and a Democratic
congressional candidate)
62. Straight Ticket Voting – casting votes only for candidates of one’s party.
63. Suffrage – the right to vote
64. Super Delegate – a delegate to the Democratic national convention who is there by virtue of
holding an office
65. Super Tuesday – a Tuesday in early March in which many presidential primaries particularly in
the South, are held
66. Swing State – a state in which no single candidate or political party has overwhelming support in
securing that state’s electoral college votes
Political Parties/Interest Groups/Media
67. Amicus Curiae Brief – “friend of the court” brief filed by an interest group to influence a Supreme
Court decision
68. De-alignment Argument – contention that parties are less meaningful to voters who have
abandoned the parties in greater numbers to become independents
69. Divided Government – government in which one party controls the presidency while another
party controls the Congress
70. Elite Theory – theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy
71. Factions – term used by Madison to denote what we now call interest groups
72. Fairness Doctrine – FCC rule (no longer in effect) that required broadcasters to air a variety of
viewpoints on their programs
73. Feeding Frenzy – just as sharks engage in a feeding frenzy when they sense blood in the water,
the media “attack” when they sense wrongdoings or scandal in government, and devote great
amounts of coverage to such stories
74. Free Rider Problem – the problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits
of interest group action without actually joining, participating in or contributing money to such
groups
75. Horse Race Coverage – the tendency of the media to report on an election campaign as if it were
a horse race, i.e., who is ahead, who is behind, who is gaining ground
76. Iron Triangle – an informal association of federal agency, congressional committee, and interest
group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making
77. Litigation – the act of process of carrying out a lawsuit
78. Lobbying – attempting to influence policy makers
79. Non Partisan Elections – elections in which candidates are not identified by party membership on
the ballot
80. Office Column Ballot – ballot in which candidates are arranged by office rather than party.
Encourages split ticket voting
81. Party Column Ballot – ballot in which candidates are arranged by party rather than office.
Encourages straight ticket voting
82. Photo Opportunity – a staged event in which the media takes photographs of high ranking
government official usually immediately before or after a newsworthy event
83. Pluralism – theory that policy making is the result of interest group competition
84. Political Action Committee (PAC) – an interest group that raises funds and donates to election
campaigns
85. Patronage – appointing loyal party members to government positions
86. Revolving Door – the cycle in which a person alternately works for the public sector and private
sector, thus blurring the individual’s sense of loyalty
87. Selective Exposure – the practice of selectively choosing media sources which are in harmony
with one’s own beliefs
88. Selective Perception – the practice of perceiving media messages the way one wants to
89. Sound Bite – a short, pithy comment that is likely to attract media attention, (e.g. Ronald Reagan
saying “a recession is when your neighbor loses his job, a depression is when you lose your job,
and recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his job.”)
90. Spin Control – placing a certain slant on a story to deflect negative public attention against a
candidate or office holder
91. Unite Rule – an abandoned rule of the Democratic Party national convention in which the
candidate with the most delegates from a state won all of that state’s convention votes
Key Court Cases
Constitutional Underpinnings Chapters 2 and 3
1.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) – established judicial review: “midnight judges” John Marshall;
power of the Supreme Court.
2. McCullough v. Maryland (1818) – established national supremacy: established implied powers;
use of elastic clause; state unable to tax fed. Institution; John Marshall; “the power to tax
involves the power to destroy.”
Civil Rights and Civil Rights Chapters 4 and 5
3.
4.
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6.
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8.
9.
10.
11.
Schenck v. U.S. (1919) - Oliver Wendell Holmes; clear and present danger test shouting “fire” in
a crowded theater; limits on speech, esp. in war time
Engel v. Vitale (1962) – Prohibited state-sponsored recitation of prayer in public schools by virtue
of Amendment One’s establishment clause and the 14th Amendment’s due process clause;
Warren Court’s judicial activism
Miranda v. Arizona (1966) – established Miranda warnings of counsel and silence. Must be
given before questioning. Warren Court’s judicial activism in criminal rights.
Gratz v. Bollinger (2003) – Struck down use of “bonus points” for race in undergrad admissions at
University of Michigan
Planned Parenthood v Casey (1992) – States can regulate abortion, but not with regulations that
impose “undue burden” upon women; did not overturn Roe v. Wade but gave states more
leeway in regulating abortion (e.g. 24-hour waiting period, parental consent for minors)
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1987) – More leeway for states in regulating abortion,
though no overturning of Roe v. Wade
Palko v. Connecticut (1937) – provided test for determining which parts of Bill of Rights should
be federalized – those which are implicitly or explicitly necessary for liberty to exist
Abbington v. Schempp (1963) –Prohibited devotional bible reading in public schools by virtue of
establishment clause and due process clause. Warren Court’s judicial activism
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) – established right of privacy through 4th and 9th amendments set
a precedent for Roe v. Wade
12. Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) – struck down use of “bonus points” for race in undergrad admissions
at University of Michigan
13. Brown v. Board of Education 1 (1954) – school segregation unconstitutional; segregation
psychologically damaging to blacks; overturned separate but equal use of 14th amendment.
Judicial activism of Warren Court; unanimous decision.
14. Brown v. Board of Education 2 (1955) – Ordered schools to desegregate “with deliberate speed.”
15. Gideon v. Wainwright (1953) – ordered states to provide lawyers for those unable to afford
them in criminal proceedings. Warren Court’s judicial activism in criminal rights.
16. Texas v. Johnson (1989) – Struck down a Texas law that banned flag burning, which the Court
declared was protected by Amendment One
17. Roe v. Wade (1973) – Established national abortion guidelines: trimester guidelines, no state
interference in 1st , state may regulate to protect health of mother in 2nd, state may regulate to
protect health of unborn child in 3rd. Inferred from right of privacy established in Griswald v.
Connecticut.
18. UC Regents v. Bakke (1978) – Alan Bakke and UC Davis Medical School strict quotas
unconstitutional, but states may allow race to be taken into account as ONE factor in admissions
decisions. Bakke admitted.
Political Beliefs and Political behaviors - Chapters 6, 9, and 10
19. Bush v. Gore (2000) – Use of 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause to stop the Florida
recount in the election of 2000
20. Shaw v. Reno (1993) – No racial gerrymandering: race cannot be the sole or predominant factor
in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts
21. Baker v. Carr (1962) – “One man, one vote” Ordered state legislative districts to be as near equal
as possible in population; Warren Court’s political judicial activism.
22. Westberry v. Sanders (1963) – Ordered House districts to be as near equal in population as
possible.
Institutions of the National Government - Chapters 12 – 16
23. Buckley v. Valeo (1976) – 1t Amendment protects campaign spending: legislatures can limit
contributions, but not how much one spends of his own money on campaigns
24. Mapp v. Ohio (1961) – established exclusionary rule; illegally obtained evidence cannot be used
in court. Warrant Court’s judicial activism
25. Clinton v. New York (1998) – Banned presidential use of line item veto
26. Gitlow v. New York (1925) – established precedent of federalizing Bill of Rights (applying them to
the states); states cannot deny freedom of speech – protected through due process clause of
Amendment 14
27. U.S. v. Nixon (1974) – Allowed for executive privilege, but not in criminal cases; “Even the
President is not above the law, Watergate
Public Policy – Chapters 17 – 20
28. U.S. v. Lopez (1995) – Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress’ authority to regulate
interstate commerce
29. Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) – established 3 part test to determine if establishment clause is
violated: non secular purpose advances/inhibits religion excessive entanglement with
government.
30. Zelman v. Simmons – Harris (2002) – Public money can be used to send disadvantaged children
to religious schools in tuition voucher programs
31. Ashcroft v. ACLU (2002) –Struck down a federal ban on “virtual” child pornography
32. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) – established separate but equal
33. Lawrence v. Texas (2003) – Using right of privacy, struck down Texas law banning sodomy
Your last assignment is to complete the Federalist Papers hand-out #10 and #51. You can find the
federalist papers #10 and #51 on the internet and also at all local libraries. Please read the papers
carefully so that you can correctly complete the chart and answer the questions. Your summer
assignment is worth 300 points and will significantly impact your 5 week grade. We encourage you to do
your best and enjoy your journey. See you in the fall. 