Click Study Flashcards above to open the flashcard hub — 200 AP US Government cards you can flip, match, type, or quiz yourself on. Every card is drawn from the College Board’s five-unit course, so you study exactly what the exam measures.[1] Pair them with our free practice test and study guide.
AP US Government is one of the 17 AP exams — explore our AP flashcards to compare and prep across the whole family.
AP US Government Flashcard Study Modes
Flip mode is the plain study pass: read a term, turn it, move on. Type gives you the definition and asks you to spell the term back, so a card like Cloture has to be recalled cold rather than recognized. Match times you pairing terms with definitions across a board, and Quiz rebuilds the same 200 cards as multiple choice.
Why Flashcards Work for AP US Government
Interactions Among Branches of Government is the largest section at 51 cards, and it drills the working vocabulary of lawmaking, checks, and the bureaucracy. Procedural terms such as Veto and Cloture sit next to structural ones like Bicameral, and the card for Oversight covers how Congress keeps watch on the executive branch.
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights holds 40 cards built around rights language and the standards courts apply to it. Expect Due process and Double jeopardy from criminal procedure, Prior restraint and Symbolic speech from the speech cases, and Strict scrutiny for the test judges use on suspect classifications.
Political Participation runs 39 cards on voters, parties, interest groups, and media influence. Campaign finance vocabulary like Super PAC appears alongside party-system terms such as Realignment and Dealignment, while Swing state and Incumbent give you the language for reading election outcomes and campaign strategy.
Foundations of American Democracy contributes 37 cards on the founding debate and the federal structure. Faction and Republicanism come from the theory side, Brutus No. 1 from the required founding documents, and Block grant and Federalism from the ongoing question of how power is divided between national and state governments.
American Political Ideologies and Beliefs rounds out the deck with 33 cards on public opinion, ideology, and economic policy. Exit poll, Straw poll, and Sampling bias cover how opinion gets measured and mismeasured, while Laissez-faire, Monetarism, and Fiscal policy tie ideological positions to concrete economic choices.
AP US Government rewards instant recall of the 9 foundational documents, the 15 required Supreme Court cases, and dozens of institutions and terms.[2] Spaced flashcards are the most efficient way to make that knowledge automatic. Used alongside our practice test and study guide, they turn review time into measurable progress.
AP US Government Flashcards by Unit
The cards are organized by the College Board’s five units. Drill the highest-weighted ones first — Interactions Among Branches and Political Participation together are about half the exam:[1]
| Unit | Exam weight |
|---|---|
| 1 · Foundations of American Democracy | 15–22% |
| 2 · Interactions Among Branches of Government | 25–36% |
| 3 · Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | 13–18% |
| 4 · American Political Ideologies and Beliefs | 10–15% |
| 5 · Political Participation | 20–27% |
How to Get the Most Out of These Flashcards
- Start with the biggest block. Interactions Among Branches of Government carries 51 cards, more than any other domain here, so early Flip passes there pay off across free-response prompts about checks and balances.
- Type-drill the terms you confuse. Cards like Dealignment and Prior restraint reward exact recall, since recognizing them in a multiple-choice list is easier than producing them from a definition.
- Use Match for the short label cards. Terms such as Veto, Faction, and Incumbent pair quickly under time pressure, which builds the speed you need for stimulus questions that assume the vocabulary.
- Switch to the practice test once recall holds. When you can Type most of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and Foundations of American Democracy without hints, move to full questions and the study guide for document context.
- Keep a rotating cadence. With 200 cards across five domains, work one domain per session, Quiz the previous one to check retention, and let weak cards resurface instead of restarting the whole deck.
AP US Government Flashcards FAQ
Two hundred free AP U.S. Government flashcards, organized across all five College Board units — Foundations of American Democracy, Interactions Among Branches, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, Political Ideologies and Beliefs, and Political Participation. They cover the 9 foundational documents, the 15 required Supreme Court cases, and the key institutions and concepts, free with no account required.
Yes. AP U.S. Government rewards precise recall of the 9 foundational documents, the 15 required Supreme Court cases, and dozens of vocabulary terms. Flashcards use active recall — retrieving an answer from memory — which research shows is one of the most effective study methods, especially in short, spaced sessions.
All five units: the founding ideals and documents, the three branches and the bureaucracy, civil liberties and civil rights (including all 15 required cases), political ideologies and public opinion, and political participation — parties, interest groups, the media, elections, and the Electoral College.
Lead with the highest-weighted units — Interactions Among Branches (25–36%) and Political Participation (20–27%). Memorize the 9 documents and 15 cases with Match and Type, then use Quiz mode to test yourself before working full practice questions and FRQs.
Yes — 100% free, all four study modes, no paywall.
Yes. The cards are organized to the College Board's five-unit Course and Exam Description and include the current required foundational documents and Supreme Court cases, so you study exactly what the exam measures.
AP US Government flashcard bank
All 200 cards, by topic
A reference copy of every card in this deck. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to show it. To study with Flip, Match, Type and Quiz modes and track what you have mastered, use Study Flashcards at the top of the page.
Foundations of American Democracy (37)
- Popular sovereignty
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The principle that government's authority comes from the consent of the governed.
- Natural rights
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Rights such as life, liberty, and property that people are born with and government exists to protect.
- Social contract
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People consent to give up some freedom to a government in exchange for protection of their rights.
- Republicanism
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A system in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
- Limited government
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The principle that government's powers are restricted (usually by a constitution) to protect liberty.
- Declaration of Independence
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1776 document (Jefferson) asserting natural rights, social contract, and that government derives power from the consent of the governed.
- Articles of Confederation
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The first U.S. constitution; created a weak central government with no power to tax or regulate commerce.
- Why the Articles failed
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No power to tax, no power to regulate commerce, no executive or national courts; amendments needed all 13 states.
- Shays' Rebellion
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A 1786–87 uprising that exposed the national government's weakness and spurred the Constitutional Convention.
- U.S. Constitution
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The 1787 framework establishing federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and (via amendments) the Bill of Rights.
- Federalist Papers
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Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay urging ratification of the Constitution; Nos. 10, 51, 70, 78 are required.
- Federalist No. 10
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Madison: a large republic is the best cure for faction because it spreads power across many competing interests.
- Faction
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A group united by a common interest that may work against others' rights or the common good (Federalist No. 10).
- Federalist No. 51
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Madison: separation of powers and checks and balances — 'ambition must be made to counteract ambition.'
- Brutus No. 1
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Anti-Federalist essay warning that a large, powerful central government would threaten individual liberty.
- Federalists
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Supporters of ratifying the Constitution who favored a stronger national government.
- Anti-Federalists
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Opponents of the Constitution who feared centralized power and demanded a Bill of Rights.
- Bill of Rights
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The first ten amendments, guaranteeing civil liberties; added in 1791 to win Anti-Federalist support.
- Great Compromise
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Created a bicameral Congress: a population-based House and an equal-representation Senate.
- Federalism
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A system in which power is divided and shared between a national government and state governments.
- Confederation
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A loose alliance of states in which most power rests with the states (the Articles).
- Unitary system
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A system in which most power is held by a single central government.
- Enumerated powers
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Powers specifically granted to the national government (chiefly Congress) by the Constitution.
- Reserved powers
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Powers kept by the states under the Tenth Amendment.
- Concurrent powers
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Powers shared by national and state governments, such as taxing and law enforcement.
- Supremacy Clause
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Article VI: the Constitution and federal law are the 'supreme law of the land' over conflicting state law.
- Necessary and Proper Clause
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The 'elastic clause' (Article I) letting Congress make laws to carry out its enumerated powers; basis of implied powers.
- Commerce Clause
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Gives Congress power to regulate interstate commerce; a major source of national authority.
- Tenth Amendment
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Reserves to the states (or the people) all powers not delegated to the federal government.
- Separation of powers
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Dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches so no branch holds all power.
- Checks and balances
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Each branch can limit the others (veto, override, confirmation, judicial review).
- Categorical grant
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Federal money given to states for a specific purpose with strict conditions.
- Block grant
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Federal money given to states for a broad purpose with more spending discretion.
- Unfunded mandate
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A federal requirement imposed on states without providing the money to carry it out.
- Participatory democracy
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A model emphasizing broad citizen participation in politics and civil society.
- Pluralist democracy
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A model in which organized interest groups compete to influence policy.
- Elite democracy
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A model in which a small number of wealthy, educated elites have the most political influence.
Interactions Among Branches of Government (51)
- Judicial review
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The power of courts to declare a law or government action unconstitutional; established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).
- Bicameral
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Having two chambers; Congress is the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- House of Representatives
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435 members apportioned by state population, two-year terms; originates revenue bills.
- Senate
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100 members (two per state), six-year terms; confirms appointments and ratifies treaties.
- Speaker of the House
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The presiding officer and leader of the majority party in the House.
- Filibuster
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A Senate tactic of prolonged debate to delay or block a vote.
- Cloture
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A Senate vote of 60 to end a filibuster and proceed to a vote.
- Committee system
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Where most legislative work happens; committees research, mark up, and decide whether bills advance.
- Conference committee
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A temporary joint committee that reconciles House and Senate versions of a bill.
- Rules Committee
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The House committee that sets the terms (time, amendments) for floor debate.
- Veto
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The President's power to reject a bill passed by Congress.
- Veto override
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Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
- Pocket veto
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A bill dies if the President takes no action and Congress adjourns within ten days.
- How a bill becomes a law
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Introduction → committee → floor debate and vote → other chamber → conference → President signs or vetoes.
- Power of the purse
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Congress's control over federal spending and taxing, a key check on the other branches.
- Oversight
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Congress's monitoring of the executive branch and bureaucracy, often through hearings.
- Impeachment
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The House charges an official with wrongdoing; the Senate holds the trial.
- Formal presidential powers
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Powers in the Constitution: veto, appointments, commander in chief, pardons, treaty-making.
- Informal presidential powers
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Powers not listed in the Constitution: executive orders, the bully pulpit, executive agreements.
- Executive order
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A presidential directive that manages the federal government and carries the force of law.
- Executive agreement
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An agreement with a foreign leader that, unlike a treaty, does not require Senate ratification.
- Commander in chief
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The President's role as head of the armed forces.
- Bully pulpit
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The President's use of the office's visibility to influence public opinion and the agenda.
- Federalist No. 70
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Hamilton: argues for a single, energetic executive who can act decisively and be accountable.
- War Powers Resolution
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A 1973 law requiring the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and limiting deployments without authorization.
- Federalist No. 78
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Hamilton: defends an independent judiciary with the power of judicial review (the 'least dangerous' branch).
- Marbury v. Madison (1803)
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Established judicial review — the courts' power to strike down unconstitutional laws.
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
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Upheld implied powers (Necessary and Proper Clause) and national supremacy over the states.
- Stare decisis
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'Let the decision stand' — courts generally follow precedent from prior rulings.
- Precedent
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A prior court decision that guides rulings in later, similar cases.
- Judicial activism
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A philosophy where judges are more willing to overturn precedent or strike down laws.
- Judicial restraint
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A philosophy where judges defer to elected branches and precedent whenever possible.
- Appellate jurisdiction
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A court's power to review decisions made by a lower court.
- Original jurisdiction
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A court's power to hear a case first, before any appeal.
- Writ of certiorari
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An order by which the Supreme Court agrees to hear a case; needs the 'rule of four.'
- Federal bureaucracy
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The agencies and departments that carry out and enforce the laws Congress passes.
- Rulemaking
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The bureaucracy's authority to write detailed regulations that carry the force of law.
- Discretionary authority
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An agency's power to decide how to implement a law where Congress left details unspecified.
- Iron triangle
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The stable alliance among a congressional committee, an agency, and an interest group.
- Delegated discretionary authority
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Power Congress grants to agencies to implement and enforce laws.
- Cabinet
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The heads of the executive departments who advise the President.
- Merit system
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Hiring and promoting federal workers based on qualifications rather than political ties.
- Gridlock
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Difficulty passing laws when the branches or parties disagree, built into the system's design.
- Divided government
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When different parties control the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress.
- Twenty-Second Amendment
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Limits the President to two elected terms.
- Twenty-Fifth Amendment
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Establishes presidential succession and procedures for presidential disability.
- Redistricting
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Redrawing the boundaries of congressional districts within a state.
- Gerrymandering
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Drawing district lines to favor one party or group.
- Trustee model
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A representative votes based on their own judgment of the public good.
- Delegate model
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A representative votes the way their constituents want.
- Treaty ratification
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Treaties require approval by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (40)
- Civil liberties
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Constitutional protections FROM government action, found chiefly in the Bill of Rights.
- Civil rights
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Protections BY government against discrimination, guaranteeing equal treatment.
- Selective incorporation
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Applying most Bill of Rights protections to the states one at a time via the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.
- Due process
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The requirement that government follow fair procedures before depriving a person of life, liberty, or property.
- Procedural due process
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The government must use fair procedures and methods.
- Substantive due process
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Limits on what the government may do, regardless of procedures used.
- Equal Protection Clause
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The 14th Amendment guarantee that states may not deny anyone the equal protection of the laws.
- Establishment Clause
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The First Amendment bar on government establishing or promoting religion.
- Free Exercise Clause
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The First Amendment protection of the right to practice one's religion.
- Schenck v. United States (1919)
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Speech may be restricted when it poses a 'clear and present danger.'
- Engel v. Vitale (1962)
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State-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause.
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
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Guaranteed the right to an attorney for defendants who cannot afford one (6th Amendment).
- Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
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Symbolic student speech (armbands) is protected unless it disrupts school.
- New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
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Rejected prior restraint of the press (the Pentagon Papers).
- Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
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Protected Amish families' free exercise of religion against compulsory schooling.
- McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
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Incorporated the Second Amendment right to bear arms against the states.
- Roe v. Wade (1973)
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Applied the right to privacy to abortion (a required case in the AP framework).
- Shaw v. Reno (1993)
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Racial gerrymandering of districts is subject to strict scrutiny.
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
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Segregated public schools are inherently unequal and unconstitutional (Equal Protection).
- Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
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Earlier ruling that upheld 'separate but equal'; overturned by Brown.
- Prior restraint
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Government action to prevent material from being published; generally unconstitutional.
- Clear and present danger
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The Schenck test allowing speech limits when speech creates an imminent threat.
- Miranda rights
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Police must inform a suspect of the right to remain silent and to an attorney before interrogation.
- Exclusionary rule
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Evidence obtained illegally generally cannot be used in court.
- Symbolic speech
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Nonverbal expression (like armbands or flag burning) protected by the First Amendment.
- Letter from a Birmingham Jail
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King's required document defending nonviolent civil disobedience against unjust laws.
- Civil Rights Act of 1964
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Banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and public accommodations.
- Voting Rights Act of 1965
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Banned racial discrimination in voting and authorized federal oversight of elections.
- Affirmative action
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Policies giving special consideration to members of historically disadvantaged groups.
- Fourteenth Amendment
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Guarantees due process and equal protection and is the vehicle for incorporation.
- Fifteenth Amendment
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Prohibits denying the vote based on race, color, or previous servitude.
- Nineteenth Amendment
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Granted women the right to vote (1920).
- Twenty-Fourth Amendment
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Banned poll taxes in federal elections.
- Twenty-Sixth Amendment
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Lowered the voting age to 18.
- Strict scrutiny
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The highest standard of judicial review, used for laws affecting fundamental rights or suspect classifications.
- Probable cause
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Reasonable grounds, required by the Fourth Amendment, for a search or arrest.
- Search and seizure
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The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable government searches and seizures.
- Double jeopardy
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The Fifth Amendment bar on being tried twice for the same crime.
- Right to privacy
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An implied constitutional right underlying decisions on contraception and abortion.
- Suffrage movements
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Organized efforts (abolition, women's suffrage, civil rights, LGBTQ rights) to expand civil rights.
American Political Ideologies and Beliefs (33)
- Political ideology
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A consistent set of beliefs about the proper role and purpose of government.
- Liberalism (U.S.)
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Generally favors a larger government role in the economy and fewer restrictions on personal behavior.
- Conservatism (U.S.)
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Generally favors a smaller economic role for government, lower taxes, and traditional social policy.
- Libertarianism
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Favors minimal government in both economic and social life.
- Political socialization
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The process of developing political values through family, school, peers, religion, and the media.
- Agents of socialization
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Family, schools, peers, religion, and the media — sources that shape political beliefs.
- Family (socialization)
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Usually the most influential agent of political socialization, shaping early party identification.
- Generational effect
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When a major event shapes the political outlook of an entire age cohort.
- Life-cycle effect
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How a person's political views change as they age (e.g., toward issues affecting older adults).
- Public opinion
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The collective attitudes of citizens on issues, candidates, and government.
- Scientific poll
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A poll using a random sample so a few hundred respondents can represent millions.
- Random sampling
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Selecting respondents so every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen.
- Representative sample
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A sample whose makeup mirrors the population it is meant to describe.
- Sampling error
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The margin of error showing how far a sample result may differ from the true value.
- Margin of error
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A statistic giving the range within which the true population value likely falls.
- Sampling bias
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Error from a non-random sample that over- or under-represents groups (e.g., polling one rally).
- Straw poll
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An unscientific, non-random survey that does not reliably represent the public.
- Exit poll
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A poll of voters as they leave the polls, used to project and analyze results.
- Question wording effect
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How the phrasing of a poll question can change the responses it gets.
- Political efficacy
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A citizen's belief that they can understand and influence politics.
- Keynesian economics
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Favors government spending and tax cuts to boost demand during downturns.
- Laissez-faire
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Favors minimal government interference in the economy.
- Monetarism
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Emphasizes managing the economy by controlling the growth of the money supply.
- Supply-side economics
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Cutting taxes and regulation to spur production, investment, and growth.
- Fiscal policy
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Government use of taxing and spending to influence the economy (set by Congress and the President).
- Monetary policy
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The Federal Reserve's management of the money supply and interest rates.
- Federal Reserve
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The U.S. central bank, which sets monetary policy independently of the elected branches.
- Political culture
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The shared beliefs and values that shape Americans' views of government (liberty, equality, individualism).
- American exceptionalism
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The belief that the U.S. has a unique character and role rooted in liberty and democracy.
- Individualism
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The value placed on personal freedom and self-reliance in American political culture.
- Equality of opportunity
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The value that everyone should have a fair chance, central to American political culture.
- Party identification
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A person's psychological attachment to a political party, a strong predictor of voting.
- Ideologically consistent
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Holding views that consistently line up with one ideology across many issues.
Political Participation (39)
- Linkage institution
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A structure (parties, elections, interest groups, media) that connects citizens to government.
- Political party
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An organization that recruits candidates, runs in elections, and seeks to control government.
- Two-party system
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A system dominated by two major parties, reinforced by winner-take-all elections.
- Party platform
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The formal statement of a party's positions and goals.
- Realignment
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A lasting shift in the coalitions supporting the parties, often after a critical election.
- Dealignment
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A decline in voters' attachment to parties and a rise in independents.
- Interest group
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An organization that lobbies government to influence policy for its members' shared goals.
- Lobbying
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Trying to influence officials and policy on behalf of an interest.
- Free-rider problem
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When people enjoy a group's benefits without joining or paying, weakening collective action.
- Political Action Committee (PAC)
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An organization that raises and spends limited, regulated money to support candidates.
- Super PAC
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An independent committee that may raise and spend unlimited money but cannot coordinate with candidates.
- Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
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Held that independent political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech.
- Mass media
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Outlets (TV, newspapers, online) that inform the public, set the agenda, and act as a watchdog.
- Agenda setting
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The media's power to shape which issues the public sees as important.
- Watchdog role
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The media's function of scrutinizing government and exposing wrongdoing.
- Voter turnout
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The share of eligible citizens who actually vote.
- Factors raising turnout
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Higher education, income, age, and strong party identification.
- Factors lowering turnout
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Registration hurdles, voter apathy, and low political efficacy.
- Rational-choice voting
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Voting based on what is in one's own best interest.
- Retrospective voting
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Voting based on the recent past performance of officials or parties.
- Prospective voting
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Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future.
- Party-line voting
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Voting for candidates of one party across the ballot.
- Electoral College
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The body of 538 electors that elects the President; 270 are needed to win.
- Winner-take-all
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Most states award all of their electoral votes to the popular-vote winner in that state.
- Swing state
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A competitive state where the outcome is uncertain and campaigns focus their efforts.
- Popular vote vs Electoral College
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A candidate can win the presidency while losing the national popular vote.
- Incumbency advantage
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The electoral edge held by current officeholders (name recognition, funding, constituent service).
- Primary election
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An election to choose a party's nominee for the general election.
- Caucus (election)
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A local meeting where party members select delegates and nominees.
- Open vs closed primary
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Open: any voter may participate; closed: only registered party members may.
- General election
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The final election in which voters choose among the parties' nominees.
- National convention
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A party gathering that formally nominates its presidential candidate and adopts the platform.
- Incumbent
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An official currently holding office.
- Single-member district
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A district that elects one representative, reinforcing the two-party system.
- Federal Election Commission (FEC)
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The agency that enforces federal campaign-finance law.
- Grassroots mobilization
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Organizing ordinary citizens to take political action.
- Social movement
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A broad effort by ordinary people to bring about political or social change.
- Voter registration
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The requirement to enroll before voting; rules can raise or lower turnout.
- Third party
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A minor party that rarely wins but can raise issues and affect outcomes.
References
- 1.College Board. “AP United States Government and Politics — Course and Exam Description.” College Board. ↑
- 2.College Board. “AP United States Government and Politics Exam.” College Board. ↑
- 3.Founders. “Constitution of the United States — Transcript.” National Archives. ↑
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