Public24 cardsby @donk

AP US Government and Politics

The Constitution, federalism, the three branches, civil liberties and civil rights, political parties, elections, interest groups, and landmark Supreme Court cases.

Cards (24)

1
Front
What is the Supremacy Clause and where is it found?
Back
Located in Article VI of the Constitution, the Supremacy Clause establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, overriding conflicting state laws.
2
Front
What is the difference between enumerated and implied powers?
Back
Enumerated powers are explicitly listed in the Constitution (e.g., coining money, declaring war). Implied powers are derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8), allowing Congress to make laws needed to carry out enumerated powers.
3
Front
What does the Tenth Amendment establish?
Back
The Tenth Amendment reserves all powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, to the states or the people, forming the constitutional basis for states' rights.
4
Front
What is the system of checks and balances?
Back
A constitutional design in which each of the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) has powers that limit the other branches, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful.
5
Front
What is the difference between cooperative federalism and dual federalism?
Back
Dual federalism (layer cake) treats state and federal governments as separate, equal sovereigns. Cooperative federalism (marble cake) involves federal and state governments sharing functions and working together on policy.
6
Front
What is the commerce clause and why is it significant?
Back
Found in Article I, Section 8, it grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. It has been broadly interpreted to expand federal power over economic and social policy.
7
Front
What are the requirements to override a presidential veto?
Back
A two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is required to override a presidential veto.
8
Front
What is the purpose of the Electoral College?
Back
The Electoral College is the body of electors who formally elect the President and Vice President. Each state has electors equal to its total congressional representation; 270 of 538 electoral votes are needed to win.
9
Front
How does the Senate differ from the House in its treatment of legislation?
Back
The Senate allows unlimited debate (filibuster) and requires 60 votes (cloture) to end it, giving individual senators more power to block legislation. The House uses stricter time limits and majority-rules procedures.
10
Front
What power does judicial review give the Supreme Court?
Back
Judicial review is the power of federal courts to strike down laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution. It was established by the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
11
Front
What did Marbury v. Madison (1803) establish?
Back
It established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the authority to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Marshall authored the opinion.
12
Front
What was the ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
Back
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the national bank and ruled that Maryland could not tax it, affirming the supremacy of federal law and broadly interpreting implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.
13
Front
What did Engel v. Vitale (1962) decide?
Back
The Supreme Court ruled that state-sponsored prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, even if participation was voluntary.
14
Front
What constitutional principle did Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) affirm?
Back
Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate. The Court ruled that wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War was protected symbolic speech under the First Amendment.
15
Front
What was the significance of New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)?
Back
The Court ruled against prior restraint, allowing newspapers to publish the Pentagon Papers, reinforcing that the government bears a heavy burden to justify censoring the press before publication.
16
Front
What did Citizens United v. FEC (2010) rule?
Back
The Supreme Court held that the government cannot restrict independent political expenditures by corporations or unions, finding such spending is protected free speech under the First Amendment.
17
Front
What is the incorporation doctrine?
Back
The process by which the Supreme Court applies provisions of the Bill of Rights to state governments through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause, case by case.
18
Front
What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?
Back
Civil liberties are constitutional protections from government interference (e.g., free speech, due process). Civil rights are protections against discriminatory treatment by government or others based on characteristics like race or gender.
19
Front
What is the exclusionary rule and which case established it for state courts?
Back
The exclusionary rule bars illegally obtained evidence from being used in court. Mapp v. Ohio (1961) applied it to state courts via the Fourteenth Amendment.
20
Front
What is the role of political parties in American elections?
Back
Political parties recruit and nominate candidates, mobilize voters, organize government (e.g., congressional leadership), and provide voters with a shortcut for evaluating candidates based on party platforms.
21
Front
Why does the United States have a two-party system?
Back
The winner-take-all (single-member district plurality) electoral system disadvantages third parties, as parties that do not win a plurality receive no representation, causing voters to gravitate toward the two major parties.
22
Front
What is the difference between a primary election and a general election?
Back
A primary election is used within a party to select its nominee. A general election is the final contest between nominees from different parties (and independents) to fill a public office.
23
Front
What are interest groups and how do they differ from political parties?
Back
Interest groups are organized associations that seek to influence public policy on behalf of their members without nominating candidates for office. Political parties nominate and elect candidates to control government.
24
Front
What is an iron triangle in U.S. politics?
Back
An iron triangle is a stable, mutually beneficial relationship among a congressional committee, an executive agency, and an interest group, each helping the others achieve their goals in a specific policy area.

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