99 Essential Concepts Ap Gov

99 Essential Concepts for AP Government: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the intricacies of the American political system can feel daunting, especially when preparing for the AP Government exam. This comprehensive guide breaks down 99 essential concepts, providing a solid foundation for success. We'll explore key political ideologies, institutions, processes, and landmark Supreme Court cases, equipping you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the complexities of American government. This guide serves as a valuable resource for students aiming for a high score on the AP exam and a deeper understanding of US governance.

I. Foundations of American Government

1. Federalism: The division of power between the federal and state governments. This includes understanding the enumerated, reserved, and concurrent powers.
2. Separation of Powers: The distribution of governmental power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
3. Checks and Balances: The system by which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches.
4. Popular Sovereignty: The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people.
5. Limited Government: A political system in which the powers of the government are restricted, usually by a constitution.
6. Republicanism: A system of government in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives.
7. Consent of the Governed: The idea that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the people it governs.
8. Individual Rights: The rights and liberties of individual citizens, often protected by a constitution or bill of rights.
9. Declaration of Independence: The foundational document declaring the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain. Key concepts include natural rights and the social contract.
10. Articles of Confederation: The first government established after independence, characterized by a weak central government. Understanding its weaknesses is crucial for understanding the creation of the Constitution.
11. Constitutional Convention: The meeting where the US Constitution was drafted. Key debates included representation (Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan), slavery, and the balance of power.
12. The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise): The compromise that created a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives (proportional representation) and the Senate (equal representation).
13. Three-Fifths Compromise: A compromise that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for purposes of taxation and representation in Congress.
14. Federalist Papers: A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to persuade New York to ratify the Constitution. These papers are essential for understanding the framers' intentions. Focus on Federalist No. 10 (factions) and Federalist No. 51 (checks and balances).
15. Anti-Federalists: Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution, fearing a strong central government would infringe on individual liberties.
16. Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. Understanding the application and limitations of each amendment is crucial.
17. Amending the Constitution: The process by which the Constitution can be changed, requiring supermajorities in both Congress and the states.
18. Judicial Review: The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison.
19. Federalist No. 10: Addresses the issue of factions and how a republic can control their negative effects.
20. Federalist No. 51: Explains the importance of checks and balances and separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

II. The Legislative Branch

21. Congress: The bicameral legislature composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
22. House of Representatives: The lower house of Congress, with representation based on population.
23. Senate: The upper house of Congress, with equal representation for each state.
24. Congressional Committees: Standing, select, joint, and conference committees – their roles in the legislative process.
25. Legislative Process: The steps involved in passing a bill into law (introduction, committee action, floor debate, vote, presidential action).
26. Filibuster: A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill.
27. Cloture: The procedure used to end a filibuster.
28. Gerrymandering: The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party or group.
29. Reapportionment: The redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes after each census.
30. Incumbency Advantage: The advantage that current officeholders have in elections.
31. Pork-Barrel Legislation: Legislation that benefits a specific geographic area or group.
32. Logrolling: The exchange of favors between legislators to pass legislation.
33. Party Discipline: The degree to which members of a political party vote together.
34. Speaker of the House: The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.
35. Senate Majority Leader: The leader of the majority party in the Senate.
36. Congressional Oversight: The power of Congress to monitor the actions of the executive branch.

III. The Executive Branch

37. President: The head of state and head of government in the United States.
38. Electoral College: The system by which the president is elected.
39. Presidential Powers: Expressed, implied, and inherent powers of the presidency.
40. Executive Orders: Directives issued by the president that have the force of law.
41. Executive Agreements: Agreements made by the president with foreign governments that do not require Senate ratification.
42. Cabinet: The group of advisors to the president, heads of the executive departments.
43. The White House Staff: Advisors and support staff who work directly for the president.
44. Bureaucracy: The system of government agencies and departments responsible for implementing policies.
45. Independent Regulatory Agencies: Agencies with the power to create and enforce regulations.
46. Iron Triangles (Subgovernments): Alliances between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies.
47. Issue Networks: Broader alliances of interest groups, experts, and government agencies that influence policy.
48. Presidential Veto: The power of the president to reject legislation passed by Congress.
49. Presidential Pardons: The power of the president to grant forgiveness for federal crimes.

IV. The Judicial Branch

50. Supreme Court: The highest court in the United States.
51. Judicial Review: The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
52. Supreme Court Justices: The nine justices who serve on the Supreme Court.
53. Appointment of Justices: The process by which Supreme Court justices are nominated and confirmed.
54. Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear a case.
55. Original Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.
56. Appellate Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.
57. Writ of Certiorari: An order by the Supreme Court to a lower court to send up a case for review.
58. Stare Decisis: The principle of following precedent in judicial decisions.
59. Judicial Activism: The philosophy that judges should actively shape policy through their decisions.
60. Judicial Restraint: The philosophy that judges should defer to the decisions of elected officials.

V. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

61. Civil Liberties: Constitutional protections against government actions that infringe on individual freedoms.
62. Civil Rights: The rights of citizens to receive equal treatment and to participate fully in society.
63. First Amendment: Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
64. Fourth Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
65. Fifth Amendment: Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination.
66. Sixth Amendment: Right to a fair trial.
67. Eighth Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishment.
68. Fourteenth Amendment: Due process and equal protection clauses.
69. Equal Protection Clause: The clause of the Fourteenth Amendment that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law.
70. Due Process Clause: The clause of the Fourteenth Amendment that guarantees fair legal procedures.
71. Incorporation Doctrine: The process by which the Supreme Court applies the Bill of Rights to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.
72. Affirmative Action: Policies designed to address past discrimination by giving preferential treatment to minority groups.
73. Civil Rights Act of 1964: Legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
74. Voting Rights Act of 1965: Legislation that outlawed discriminatory voting practices.

VI. Political Parties and Elections

75. Political Parties: Organizations that seek to influence government policy by electing their members to office.
76. Two-Party System: The dominance of two major parties in the American political system.
77. Third Parties: Minor political parties that often play a significant role in influencing elections.
78. Party Platforms: Statements of a political party's beliefs and policy positions.
79. Party Polarization: The increasing ideological divide between the two major parties.
80. Elections: The process by which citizens choose their government officials.
81. Presidential Elections: The process of electing the president and vice president.
82. Congressional Elections: The process of electing members of Congress.
83. Campaign Finance: The money raised and spent to support political campaigns.
84. Public Opinion: The attitudes and beliefs of the public on political issues.
85. Polling: The process of measuring public opinion.
86. Media: The various forms of communication that influence public opinion.
87. Interest Groups: Organizations that seek to influence government policy on behalf of their members.
88. Lobbying: The process of trying to influence government policy by contacting government officials.
89. PACs (Political Action Committees): Organizations that raise and spend money to support political candidates.
90. Super PACs: Independent political committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose political candidates.

VII. Landmark Supreme Court Cases

91. Marbury v. Madison (1803): Established the principle of judicial review.
92. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Upheld the implied powers of Congress.
93. Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): Established federal authority over interstate commerce.
94. Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional.
95. Mapp v. Ohio (1961): Established the exclusionary rule, preventing illegally obtained evidence from being used in court.
96. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963): Guaranteed the right to legal counsel for indigent defendants in felony cases.
97. Miranda v. Arizona (1966): Established the Miranda rights, requiring police to inform suspects of their rights.
98. Roe v. Wade (1973): Established a woman's right to an abortion.
99. Citizens United v. FEC (2010): Ruled that corporations and unions have the same First Amendment rights as individuals, impacting campaign finance.

Conclusion

This comprehensive list provides a strong foundation for your AP Government studies. Remember that understanding the context and interrelationships between these concepts is crucial. Practice applying these concepts to current events and hypothetical scenarios. By thoroughly mastering these 99 essential concepts, you'll be well-equipped to succeed on the AP exam and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities and challenges of American government. Good luck!