AP US Government

Review everything you need to know about the foundations of American democracy with these AP US Gov unit 1 Resources. You'll learn more about the principles of American government, federalism, and some key court cases and foundational documents. With a variety of resources, you'll be prepared for the exam!

Unit 1 – Foundations of American Democracy

Gain an understanding of the interactions among branches of the AP US Government and Politics exam. We'll cover the 3 branches of government— legislative, executive, and judicial—as well as the bureaucracy and checks and balances in relation to each branch. You'll master this unit with our helpful slides, review videos, and study guides!

Unit 2 – Branches of Government

Grasp all the important content on civil rights and liberties from unit 3 of the US Government and Politics exam. We cover the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, relevant SCOTUS cases, selective incorporation, and social movements and affirmative action. With these free study resources, you'll be well prepared for the exam!

Unit 3 – Civil Liberties & Civil Rights

Explore different political philosophies and how major parties influence ideology for unit 4 of the AP US Government and Politics exam. We cover the history of political parties, their impact on voters and the government, third parties, and political socialization. With a variety of resources on this unit, you'll be ready for a 5 no time!

Unit 4 – American Political Ideologies & Beliefs

Gain a good understanding of Unit 5, political participation, for the US Government and Politics exam. We'll cover media ownership and bias, voting and voter behavior, campaign finance, realignments, and dealignments. Review slides, student-led streams, and teacher reviews on this unit so you can ace your exam!

Unit 5 – Political Participation

Frequently Asked Questions

Previous Exam Prep

AP Cram Sessions 2021

Live Cram Sessions 2020

Study Tools

Exam Skills 

Subject Guides

We explored your first three required Supreme Court cases of the school year: Marbury v. Madison (judicial review), McCulloch v. Maryland (commerce and supremacy clause), and US v. Lopez (commerce clause) and learned their stories and impact.



Origins of American Democracy

Theories of Democratic Government

A First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation

The Road to the Constitution

Key Principle: Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances

Key Principle: Federalism

Unit 1 Overview: Foundations of American Democracy

Introduction

Key Ideals of Democracy

Key Founding Documents

Principles of the American Government

Ideals of Democracy

Required Founding Documents for APGOPO

Declaration of Independence

Articles of Confederation

Federalist 10

Federalist 51

Brutus 1

Federalist 70

Federalist 78

The Constitution and Bill of Rights

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Conclusion

Required Founding Documents

Key Questions

Types of Democracy

Examples of Each Type

Key Required Documents 

Key Vocabulary

Federalist No. 10 Summary

Here is an example of an application of Federalist No. 10 in a contemporary context:

Brutus No. 1 Summary

Here is an example of an application of Brutus No. 1 in the present day context:

Review Time

Federalist No. 10 & Brutus 1 Summary 

Key Weaknesses

Weak Central Government

No Taxation Powers

No Control Over Commerce

No Executive or Judicial Branches

Requirement of Unanimity for Changes

Shays' Rebellion 

Example

Things to Review

Key Terms

Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Electoral College 

Three-Fifths Compromise  

Compromise on the Importation of Slaves 

Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Checks and Balances

Examples

Separation of Powers

Principles of American Government

What is Federalism?

Article IV

Exclusive and concurrent powers

The changing distribution of power between states and the federal government

Relationship Between States and the Federal Government

Necessary and Proper Clause

Amendments

Tenth

Fourteenth

Supreme Court Cases

McCulloch v. Maryland

US v. Lopez

Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism

Key Vocabulary 

How Federalism Actually Works

Federalism in Action

Unit 2 Logistics

Key Ideas

Required Documents

Congress

Structure

Powers

Lawmaking

Congressional Behavior

The Presidency

The Courts

The Bureaucracy

Unit 2 Overview: Interactions Among Branches of Government

The House of Representatives

The Senate

Illustrative Example: OBRA 1985

Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives 

Tenure

Court-Curbing

Enforcement of Rulings

Partisanship

The Court in Action

Checks on the Supreme Court

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch

Judicial Review

Nominations

Activism vs. Restraint

Checks on the Judicial Branch

Types of Bureaucratic Agencies 

Policy Development

Civil Service

Merit and Reforms 

Important Offices and Laws 

How do these powers work?

Important bureaucratic agencies to know

Discretionary and Rule-Making Authority

Congressional Oversight

Executive Direction

Judicial Rulings

Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable

What does each branch do?

Judicial Branch

Interactions

Policy and the Branches of Government 

Balancing the Policy-Making Process

Powers Unique to One Chamber

Committees and Constitutional Responsibilities

Congressional Oversight and Transparency

Legislative Process

Rules in the House of Representatives

Important Roles in the House

Important Roles in the Senate

Rules in the Senate

Functions

Committees

The President's Desk

Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress

Models of Representation

Divided Governments

Partisanship: Gridlocks and Elections

Gerrymandering: Baker v. Carr and Shaw v. Reno

Presidential Powers

Veto Powers and Signing Statements

Foreign Policy Powers

Treaties and Executive Agreements

Executive Orders

Roles and Power of the President

Executive Appointments and Senate Confirmation

President’s Legacy: The Judicial Department

Illustrative Examples

Conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq, Kosovo, Libya, and Syria

No Child Left Behind Act (2001) 

Appointments: Sandra Day O’Connor and Thurgood Marshall 

Failed Appointments: Robert Bork, John Tower, and Abe Fortas

Checks on the Presidency

Key Documents and Developments

Federalist No. 70: Executive on Top!

22nd Amendment: Two-Two Means Two Terms

Interpreting the President's Power

Key Events and Illustrative Examples

FDR's State of the Union Address (1941)

Taft's Our Chief Magistrate and His Powers (1916)

Teddy Roosevelt's Autobiography (1913)

Expansion of Presidential Power

Modern Tech: Social Media

The Bully Pulpit and Impact on Policymaking

Illustrative Example

President Reagan's "Address to the Nation on Federal Tax Reduction" (1981)

Presidential Communication

Structure of the Judicial Branch

Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review

The Judicial Branch


What is the principle of stare decisis and why is it important in the legal system?

How do courts balance the principle of stare decisis with the need to adapt to changing circumstances and new legal issues?

Can the Supreme Court overrule previous decisions and set new precedents?

How does the ideology of Supreme Court justices impact their decision-making with regards to precedents and stare decisis?

How do presidential appointments and changes in the composition of the Supreme Court affect the precedents it upholds and the principle of stare decisis?

How do lower courts reconcile conflicting precedents from different levels of the judiciary?

How does the principle of stare decisis differ across different legal systems and jurisdictions?

Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland and US v. Lopez - Slides

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Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland and US v. Lopez - Slides

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