AP Gov Chapter 2 Study guide

Think about it: What did Madison mean when he said in Federalist 51, "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition?" How about, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls would be necessary?"

Factions of the minority were easy to handle; the majority could simply outvote them.

According to Edwards, which type of states benefited from the Connecticut Compromise? Explain.

New Jersey Plan - 2 houses of Congress Virginia Plan - the second body (House of Representatives) would be based on representation

Describe the two ways to propose and the two ways to ratify amendments. Which method is the most commonly used, and which amendment deviated from the usual path?

Proposal: Congress can propose an amendment by 2/3 vote in each house National convention can propose an amendment by 2/3 of the states Ratification: State conventions can ratify an amendment by a vote of 3/4 of the states State legislatures can ratify an amendment by 3/4 of the states Amendments that emphasize equality and increase the ability of a popular majority to affect government

What specific category in the Bill of Rights contains the most amendments?

Protection of Defendants' rights Protection of Other Rights

How was federalism a check on the national government?

The Framers established a federal system of government that divides power to govern between the national and state governments. They saw the federal system as an additional check on the national government.

How was America's Revolution different from those in Russia and Iran?

The Russian and Iranian Revolutions produced great societal change -- as well as plenty of bloodshed. However, the American Revolution's primary goal was to restore rights that the colonists felt was theirs as British subjects

What was Charles Beard's analysis of the motivations of the Founders?

he claimed that the Founders principal motivation for doing so was to increase their wealth Upper class-men protecting their interests

Why did the Founders find it difficult to balance economic inequality with political freedom?

if given political power, the non-wealthy majority -- an unruly mob-- would tyrannize the wealthy majority

How does Texas v. Johnson and its aftermath illustrate the complexities of American constitutional democracy?

it's easier for Congress to pass a law than passing an amendment

What personal freedoms are protected in the original Constitution?

the Constitution drafted says little about personal freedoms

How is the Declaration of Independence both a political and philosophical document?

the resolution was the Declaration of Independence, and the armed rebellion, the American Revolution. "Life, Liberty, Happiness"

From reading about the 4 issues the Founders agreed upon, summarize their attitudes about people, their government, and its purpose.

they were naturally self-interested. Madison stated "Those who hold and those who are without property, have ever formed distinct interests in society." the preservation of property was the "principal object of government"

What effect does the Madisonian model have on change?

those opposed to change need only win at one point in the policymaking process-- say in obtaining a presidential veto-- whereas those in favor of change must win every battle along the way. The Madisonian system encourages moderation and compromise and slows change. Either a minority or majority to tyrannize, and both property rights and personal freedoms

How did political participation in the states change under the Articles? Include Figure 2.2.

Expanded political participation to a new middle class, which included artisans and farmers who owned small homesteads Power in the state legislatures increased in each state postwar.

What economic powers were granted to Congress in the Constitution, and which does Edwards seem to think is the most important today?

- Congress was to be the chief economic policymaker; it could obtain revenues through taxes and borrowing - Congress was to encourage economic enterprise and and investment in the US - Allocates to Congress power to build the nation's infrastructure by constructing post offices and and roads and establishing standard weights and measures - ability to regulate interstate and foreign commerce (most important)

Describe the 4 ways in which informal changes to the Constitution are made, giving an example for each.

- Judicial interpretation: can profoundly affect how the Constitution is understood (Abortion legalized during the first two trimesters of pregnancy) - Changing political practice: (electoral college being formed) - Technology: media has played an important role in politics. (the government bureaucracy has grown in importance with the development of computers) - Increased demand for new policies: the significance of the presidency has grown as a result of increased demand for new policies)

Describe the ideas of John Locke, and the American document they inspired.

- Natural rights - Government must be built on the consent of the governed - Locke's "Life, Liberty, and Property" soon altered Jefferson's "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness"

Explain the economic issues that faced the Founders at the constitutional convention.

- States had imposed tariffs on products from other states - Paper money was virtually worthless in some states; however, many state governments that were controlled by debtors forced it on creditors anyway - Congress was having trouble raising money because the economy was in recession - all of them thought a strong national government was needed to bring economic stability to the chaotic union of states that existed under the Articles of Confederation

Familiarize yourself with basic checks and balances, using Figure 2.4.

- each branch required the consent of others for many of its actions - was an elaborate and delicate creation - against power to constrain government actions

Summarize the structure of the government under the Articles of Confederation, and list its weaknesses.

- government dominated by the states - "league of friendship and perpetual union" among 13 states - states could send as many as seven delegates or as a few as two, but each state only had one vote - no president and national court, and the powers pf the national legislature were strictly limited

List the reasons that a bill of rights was not added to the original Constitution.

- the Framers were constructing a limited gov that could not threaten personal freedoms. - they dispersed power among the three branches of the national gov and between the national and state govs so that each branch or level could restrain the other

List the ways in which most parts of the government were beyond the direct control of voters. Note the one element that is closest to the people.

- voters directly elected The House of Representatives under Madison's plan - State legislatures were to elect senators and special electors were to elect the president

List the six amendments that expand voting, briefly summarizing each.

19th Amendment - women right to vote 23rd Amendment - accorded the residents of DC the right to vote in presidential elections 24th Amendment - prohibited poll taxes 26th Amendment - added 11 million potential voters to the electorate 17th Amendment - direct election of senators 15th Amendment - prohibited discrimination based on race in determining voting eligibility

Contrast the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Federalists supported the Constitution while Anti-Federalists opposed it. Anti-Federalists believed that the new government was an enemy of freedom Anti-Federalists feared that the new government would erode fundamental libraries Federalists promised to add amendments to the document specifically protecting individual liberties

How did the Founders decide to deal with voter qualifications?

In presidental elections the electoral college gives small states the greater weight each state has one vote the votes of citizens of Wyoming would again carry 70 times as much as the weight of those of Californians

What was the sole purpose of the Philadelphia convention and did the delegates stick to it?

The delegates were ordered to meet "for the sole purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation." However, the delegates did not stick to the order. Then, 55 delegates began to write the U.S. Constitution.

How are state constitutions different from the U.S. Constitution, and what is the effect of this difference?

The framers allowed future generations to determine their own needs and to interpret the Constitution accordingly. As a result, they have to be amended frequently. This flexibility has helped ensure the survival of the Constitution -- and the nation.