AP GOVERNMENT REVIEW SET: Key Concepts and Definations
10th Amendment - ansPowers not expressly given to federal government by the Constitution are reserved to
states or the people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or "states' rights amendment"
13th Amendment - ansAbolished slavery. First of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War
(1865-70)
14th Amendment - ans(1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty
or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can deprive a person of EQUAL PROTECTION of the
laws. Second of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War.
15th Amendment - ansStates cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race. Third of three
"Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War. First Voting Rights Amendment (with 19, 24 & 26)
16th Amendment - ansPower of Congress to tax income
17th Amendment - ansEstablished the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)
1968 DNC - ansDemocratic party leaders (superdelegates) secure nomination of VP Hubert Humphrey even
though he did not compete in any state primaries. Controversy led to the Fraser-McGovern Commission and
related reforms.
19th Amendment - ansStates cannot deny the right to vote based on gender
1st Amendment - ansFreedom of religion (establishment & free exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, and
petition.
22nd Amendment - ansLimits the president to two terms.
23rd Amendment - ansGives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no
,representation in Congress)
24th Amendment - ansAbolishes poll taxes
26th Amendment - ansStates cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)
2nd Amendment - ansRight to arm bears. Supported by National Rifle Association interest group & Republican
Party.
4th Amendment - ansNo "unreasonable" searches and seizures. Exclusionary rule (Weeks v. US, Mapp v. Ohio)
527 Organization - ansAn independent organization set up to influence the outcome of an election; can receive
unlimited "soft money" donations but cannot directly advocate for a particular candidate or have any
connection to a candidate. Rendered obsolete by Citizens United.
5th Amendment - ans(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda)
(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)
(3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)
6th Amendment - ansThe right to counsel in criminal trials. Gideon v. Wainwright held that states must provide
indigent defendants with a free lawyer ("public defender"). Right to jury in criminal trials.
7th Amendment - ansRight to jury in civil trials.
8th Amendment - ansGovernment cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishment. Meaning of "cruel" based on
"evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society." Categorical bans on death
penalty: juveniles, retarded, non-murder crimes...
9th Amendment - ansUnenumerated Rights Amendment. Citizens have unenumerated rights in addition to
,those stated in the Constitution. Not been developed by Supreme Court (too open ended)
Administrative Discretion - ansThe ability of an agency to determine how it will execute (carry out) laws. Major
source of independent power for agencies. (Ex. The FDA decides how to determine safety of food & drugs, the
U.S. Attorneys decide whether or not to prosecute suspects)
Affirmative Action - ansGovernment or business policies favoring a historically disadvantaged minority group
(university admissions, hiring decisions); raises 14th Amendment equal protection problems (reverse
discrimination); limited by Bakke v. University of California (race can be "plus factor" in admissions but no racial
quota system)
Agents of Socialization - ansFamily (most important); TV/media (growing in importance); friends/peers; school
(formal socialization). How we develop (absorb) opinions & beliefs.
American Party System - ans2 main parties (because of electoral rules) with other smaller and less powerful
third parties (spoiler, splinter, extremist)
American Political Culture - ansA set of basic, foundational values and beliefs about government that is shared
by most citizens. Key elements: democracy, equality before the law, limited government, capitalism & private
property
Americans With Disabilities Act (1990) - ansMajor anti-discrimination law for disabled; requires access (ramps,
braille, etc.); unfunded mandate
Amicus Curiae Brief - ansLiterally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or interest group to present
arguments / points of view in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case (lobbying).
Solicitor General files Amicus Briefs for U.S. government.
Anarchism - ansBelief in the abolition of all government (maybe through violent means)
Anti-Federalists - ansA group who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1787. They opposed a strong
central government (tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a rat!"
, Appellant - ansThe losing party in a court case who appeals the case to an appellate court.
Appellate Jurisdiction - ansThe jurisdiction of courts to hear appeals from lower trial or appellate courts.
Appellate courts determine whether cases were decided correctly by the court below. Circuit courts have
mandatory AJ (they have to hear appeals from District Courts). Supreme Court has discretionary AK (they can
choose to hear appeals from Circuit Courts and State Supreme Courts).
Appellee - ansThe party opposing an appeal from a lower court to an appellate court.
Appointment Power - ansThe power of the President & Senate to appoint important government officers
(federal judges, agency directors, etc.). President nominates candidate, which then must by confirmed by
simple majority in the Senate (check on President's power). Subject to senatorial courtesy rule for local
appointments (district judges)
Appropriations Committees - ansDecide how to spend money allocated to each spending category by Budget
Resolution; 12 subcommittees for major areas of budget (ex. defense, energy, agriculture); major source of
earmarking
Articles of Confederation - ansSet up the 1st independent American government (1783-88). Nonbinding
"league of friendship" among sovereign states with weak central government to help with common defense &
cooperation (like the European Union). Replaced by our current constitution in 1788.
Attack Ad - ansNegative ad attacking opposing candidate (ex., swift boat veterans, willie horton); proliferating
with independent SuperPAC spending (you ain't seen nothin' yet!)
Attorney General - ansHead of the Justice Department and the chief law enforcement officer of the United
States
Baker v. Carr - ansEqual protection clause requires "one man, one vote" principle for redistricting (legislative
districts must be roughly equal in population)
10th Amendment - ansPowers not expressly given to federal government by the Constitution are reserved to
states or the people. Also known as "reserved powers amendment" or "states' rights amendment"
13th Amendment - ansAbolished slavery. First of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War
(1865-70)
14th Amendment - ans(1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty
or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can deprive a person of EQUAL PROTECTION of the
laws. Second of three "Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War.
15th Amendment - ansStates cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race. Third of three
"Reconstruction Amendments" passed after Civil War. First Voting Rights Amendment (with 19, 24 & 26)
16th Amendment - ansPower of Congress to tax income
17th Amendment - ansEstablished the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)
1968 DNC - ansDemocratic party leaders (superdelegates) secure nomination of VP Hubert Humphrey even
though he did not compete in any state primaries. Controversy led to the Fraser-McGovern Commission and
related reforms.
19th Amendment - ansStates cannot deny the right to vote based on gender
1st Amendment - ansFreedom of religion (establishment & free exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, and
petition.
22nd Amendment - ansLimits the president to two terms.
23rd Amendment - ansGives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no
,representation in Congress)
24th Amendment - ansAbolishes poll taxes
26th Amendment - ansStates cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)
2nd Amendment - ansRight to arm bears. Supported by National Rifle Association interest group & Republican
Party.
4th Amendment - ansNo "unreasonable" searches and seizures. Exclusionary rule (Weeks v. US, Mapp v. Ohio)
527 Organization - ansAn independent organization set up to influence the outcome of an election; can receive
unlimited "soft money" donations but cannot directly advocate for a particular candidate or have any
connection to a candidate. Rendered obsolete by Citizens United.
5th Amendment - ans(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda)
(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)
(3) No deprivation of life liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)
6th Amendment - ansThe right to counsel in criminal trials. Gideon v. Wainwright held that states must provide
indigent defendants with a free lawyer ("public defender"). Right to jury in criminal trials.
7th Amendment - ansRight to jury in civil trials.
8th Amendment - ansGovernment cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishment. Meaning of "cruel" based on
"evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society." Categorical bans on death
penalty: juveniles, retarded, non-murder crimes...
9th Amendment - ansUnenumerated Rights Amendment. Citizens have unenumerated rights in addition to
,those stated in the Constitution. Not been developed by Supreme Court (too open ended)
Administrative Discretion - ansThe ability of an agency to determine how it will execute (carry out) laws. Major
source of independent power for agencies. (Ex. The FDA decides how to determine safety of food & drugs, the
U.S. Attorneys decide whether or not to prosecute suspects)
Affirmative Action - ansGovernment or business policies favoring a historically disadvantaged minority group
(university admissions, hiring decisions); raises 14th Amendment equal protection problems (reverse
discrimination); limited by Bakke v. University of California (race can be "plus factor" in admissions but no racial
quota system)
Agents of Socialization - ansFamily (most important); TV/media (growing in importance); friends/peers; school
(formal socialization). How we develop (absorb) opinions & beliefs.
American Party System - ans2 main parties (because of electoral rules) with other smaller and less powerful
third parties (spoiler, splinter, extremist)
American Political Culture - ansA set of basic, foundational values and beliefs about government that is shared
by most citizens. Key elements: democracy, equality before the law, limited government, capitalism & private
property
Americans With Disabilities Act (1990) - ansMajor anti-discrimination law for disabled; requires access (ramps,
braille, etc.); unfunded mandate
Amicus Curiae Brief - ansLiterally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or interest group to present
arguments / points of view in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case (lobbying).
Solicitor General files Amicus Briefs for U.S. government.
Anarchism - ansBelief in the abolition of all government (maybe through violent means)
Anti-Federalists - ansA group who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1787. They opposed a strong
central government (tyranny) and supported states' rights. "I smell a rat!"
, Appellant - ansThe losing party in a court case who appeals the case to an appellate court.
Appellate Jurisdiction - ansThe jurisdiction of courts to hear appeals from lower trial or appellate courts.
Appellate courts determine whether cases were decided correctly by the court below. Circuit courts have
mandatory AJ (they have to hear appeals from District Courts). Supreme Court has discretionary AK (they can
choose to hear appeals from Circuit Courts and State Supreme Courts).
Appellee - ansThe party opposing an appeal from a lower court to an appellate court.
Appointment Power - ansThe power of the President & Senate to appoint important government officers
(federal judges, agency directors, etc.). President nominates candidate, which then must by confirmed by
simple majority in the Senate (check on President's power). Subject to senatorial courtesy rule for local
appointments (district judges)
Appropriations Committees - ansDecide how to spend money allocated to each spending category by Budget
Resolution; 12 subcommittees for major areas of budget (ex. defense, energy, agriculture); major source of
earmarking
Articles of Confederation - ansSet up the 1st independent American government (1783-88). Nonbinding
"league of friendship" among sovereign states with weak central government to help with common defense &
cooperation (like the European Union). Replaced by our current constitution in 1788.
Attack Ad - ansNegative ad attacking opposing candidate (ex., swift boat veterans, willie horton); proliferating
with independent SuperPAC spending (you ain't seen nothin' yet!)
Attorney General - ansHead of the Justice Department and the chief law enforcement officer of the United
States
Baker v. Carr - ansEqual protection clause requires "one man, one vote" principle for redistricting (legislative
districts must be roughly equal in population)
