Download AP Government Summer Assignment Part I

AP Governbyment Summer Assignment
Questions? Please email Mr. Patterson [email protected]
– Notecard are due on the first day of class. The US. Constitution packet questions are due by the first Friday of the term.
College Board Course Outline
United States Government and Politics
A well-designed AP course in United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on
government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret
U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions,
groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. While there is no single approach that an AP
United States Government and Politics course must follow, students should become acquainted with the variety of
theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Certain topics are usually covered in all
college courses. The following is a discussion of these topics and some questions that should be explored in the course.
Curriculum Outline
Below is an outline of the major content areas covered by the AP Exam in United States Government and Politics. The
multiple-choice portion of the exam is devoted to each content area in the approximate percentages indicated. The freeresponse portion of the exam will test students in some combination of the six major categories outlined below. The
outline is a guide and is by no means an exhaustive list of topics or the preferred order of topics.
Content Area (multiple-choice section)
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government. 5–15%
A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
B. Separation of powers
C. Checks and balances
D. Federalism
E. Theories of democratic government
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors. 10–20%
A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
C. The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
D. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media. 10–20%
A. Political parties and elections
1. Functions
2. Organization
3. Development
4. Effects on the political process
5. Electoral laws and systems
B. Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs)
1.The range of interests represented
2. The activities of interest groups
3.The effects of interest groups on the political process
4.The unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process
C. The Mass Media
1.The functions and structures of the news media
2.The impacts of the news media on politics
3.The news media industry and its consequences
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts. 35–45%
A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
B. Relationships among these four institutions and varying balances of power
C. Linkages between institutions and the following:
1. Public opinion and voters
2. Interest groups
3. Political parties
4. The media
5. State and local governments
V. Public Policy. 5–15%
A. Policymaking in a federal system
B. The formation of policy agendas
C. The role of institutions in the enactment of policy
D. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation
E. Linkages between policy processes and the following:
1. Political institutions and federalism
2. Political parties
3. Interest groups
4. Public opinion
5. Elections
6. Policy networks
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. 5–15%
A. The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
B. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
C. The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties
The Exam
The AP United States Government and Politics Exam is 2 hours and 25 minutes long.
It includes a 45-minute multiple-choice section consisting of 60 questions and a
100-minute free-response section consisting of 4 questions.
A Note from the teacher, who wants your senior year to be the best…..
Your senior year will be incredibly busy. Anything that you can do ahead of time this summer to prepare is a good idea.
Spend time researching this summer which college applications require essays and get those essays written. Find out
what you will need in regards to teacher recommendations, then prepare an information sheet on your activities and have
those ready to give your teachers the first week of school well before deadlines. See the Career Center for scholarship
applications and check on important due dates for seniors.
For AP Government, you have an assignment due the first day of class, Questions on the Constitution, whether that
is first or second term for you. Completing this assignment over the summer will make your first week of class much
easier as well as prepare study aids for the course. Additionally, you are required to make flash cards (in your own
writing) of terms and information to prepare study aids to use during the course and I will give you credit for your time in
writing these (do not copy and paste). It is essential that you familiarize yourself with the Government Vocabulary and
Supreme Court Cases- it will make your life easier in the Fall or later in the Spring when you are attempting to study for
AP Government and your other courses, finish college applications and apply for scholarships as well as trying to enjoy
Homecoming or Prom. Remember, at times you will feel overwhelmed, but we (Liberty faculty and staff) are here to help
you!
I.
Create note cards for each of the following, and include an explanation for why each is important for
understanding U.S. Government (e.g., the contribution). 16 points
Origins of the American Republic
o Enlightenment Philosophers
 Lock
 Rousseau
 Hobbes
 Montesquieu
o British Documents
 Magna Carta

English Bill of Rights
 English Petition of Rights
o Colonial Governments
 Common Law
 Self-Government
o Declaration of Independence
 Inalienable Rights
o Articles of Confederation
 Weaknesses/Successes
 Shay’s Rebellion
o Constitutional Convention
 Virginia Plan
 Great Compromise
 New Jersey Plan
 Who are “We the people”?
Understanding these developments involves both knowledge of the historical situation at the time of the Constitutional Convention and an
awareness of the ideological and philosophical traditions on which the Framers drew. Such understanding addresses specific concerns of
the framers: e.g., why did Madison fear factions? What were the reasons for the swift adoption of the Bill of Rights?
II.
III.
In order to better follow lecture and participate in class discussion (which is part of your grade), it is highly
recommended that you learn the list of words- Government Vocabulary- attached. Each student has a
different learning style and different techniques on how to remember, understand and apply this information.
You may want to make flash cards with the above key historical events/documents and their descriptions, the
following Government Vocabulary and the 27 Amendments. Complete these in your own handwriting and
turn these in on the First Day of the Course.
Read the US Constitution – copy attached. Highlight as you read. Write questions about words, phrases,
and clauses that you do not understand in the margins? Understanding the Constitution and what it provides
is the foundation to this course. Underlined sections have been amended but you should be familiar with what
changes were made to the original document and why. Answer the Question on the Constitution –
attached. This is due by the end of the FIRST WEEK OF CLASS.
IV.
Make flash cards of the 27 Amendments. You will need to know the Amendments for the course – it’s a good
time to learn them now!
V.
In addition to being familiar to the Constitution and its Amendments, familiarity with the Supreme Court's
interpretation of key provisions of the Constitution will aid in your understanding of theoretical and practical
features of federalism and the separation of powers. This list is not conclusive, we will add to it and let me
know if you think there should be others added as well!
Government Vocabulary Terms: 71 points
1. Amicus curiae brief: “friend of the court” brief filed by an interest group to influence a Supreme Court decision.
2. Appellate jurisdiction: authority of a court to hear an appeal from a lower court.
3. Balancing the ticket: occurs when a presidential nominee chooses a vice presidential running mate who has
different qualities in order to attract more votes for the ticket.
4. Blanket primary: election to choose candidates that is open to independents and that allows voters to choose
candidates from all the parties.
5. Block grant: money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation)
rather than for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch program).
6. Bully pulpit: the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
7. Bureaucratic discretion: bureaucrats have the ability to shape implementation of public policy. (e.g., EPA can
shape environmental policy).
8. Categorical grant: money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose (e.g., school lunch
program) rather than for a broad purpose (e.g., transportation).
9. Checks and balances: system in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches,
e.g., presidential veto of a congressional law.
10. Clear and present danger doctrine: judicial interpretation of the First Amendment that government may not ban
speech unless such speech poses an imminent threat to society.
11. Closed primary: party election to choose candidates that is closed to independents. Voter may not cross party
lines.
12. Cloture: Senate motion to end a filibuster that requires a 3/5 vote.
13. Commerce clause: gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and
among Indian tribes. Granted through Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.
14. Conference committee: works out a compromise between differing House-Senate versions of a bill.
15. Cooperative federalism: system in which both federal government and state governments cooperate in solving
problems.
16. Direct election: election of an official directly by the people rather than by an intermediary group such as the
Electoral College.
17. Direct primary: election in which the people choose candidates for office.
18. Divided government: government in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls the
Congress.
19. Elastic clause: states that Congress can exercise those powers that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out
the enumerated powers, e.g., establishment of the first Bank of the United States.
20. Elite theory: theory that upper class elites exercise great influence over public policy.
21. Entitlements: federal benefit payments to which recipients have a legal right, e.g., Social Security. Also known as
uncontrollables.
22. Establishment clause: provision of the First Amendment that prohibits Congress from establishing an official state
religion. This is the basis for Separation of Church and State.
23. Exclusionary rule: Supreme Court guideline that excludes the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial.
24. Executive agreement: an agreement between the President and another head of state that, unlike a treaty, does
not require Senate consent.
25. Executive order: presidential rule or regulation that has the force of law.
26. Factions: term used by Madison to denote what we now call interest groups.
27. Federalism: constitutional sharing of power between a central government and state governments.
28. Federalist papers: group of 85 essays written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay for the purpose of persuading the
people of NY and then others to adopt the Constitution.
29. Filibuster: nonstop Senate debate that prevents a bill from coming to a vote.
30. Franking privilege: allows members of Congress to send mail postage free.
31. Gender gap: difference in voting patterns for men and women, particularly in the greater tendency of the latter to
vote for Democratic presidential candidates.
32. General election: election in which the officeholders are chosen. Contrast with a primary election, in which only
the candidates are chosen.
33. Gerrymandering: redrawing district lines to favor one party at the expense of the other.
34. Horse race coverage: the tendency of the media to report on an election campaign as if it were a horse race, i.e.,
who is ahead, who is behind, who is gaining ground.
35. Impeachment: House action that formally charges an official with wrongdoing. Conviction and Removal requires
2/3 vote from the Senate.
36. Impoundment: refusal of a President to spend money that has been appropriated by Congress.
37. Incorporation: applying the Bill of Rights to the states. A “total incorporation” view is that the states must obey
all provisions of the Bill of Rights because of the due process clause of the 14 th Amendment. A “selective
incorporation” view is that the Bill of Rights is to be applied to the states in a more gradual manner on a case by
case basis.
38. Incumbent: an officeholder who is seeking re-election.
39. Independent leaners: voter not registered with a political party but tend to vote for candidates of one particular
party.
40. Iron triangle: an informal association of federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group that is said
to have heavy influence over policy making.
41. Judicial activism: philosophy that the courts should take an active role in solving problems.
42. Judicial restraint: philosophy that the courts should defer to elected lawmakers in setting policy, and should
instead focus on interpreting law rather than making law.
43. Judicial review: power of the courts to review the constitutionality of laws or government actions.
44. Legislative veto: process in which Congress overturned rules and regulations proposed by executive branch
agencies. Struck down in 1983.
45. Line item veto: power of most governors (and President Clinton for only a few years) to delete or reduce funding
in a bill on a line by line basis. Declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
46. Lobbying: attempting to influence policy makers.
47. Mandates: requirements imposed by the national government upon the states. Some are unfunded mandates,
i.e., they are imposed by the national government, but lack funding.
48. Miranda warnings: warnings that must be read to suspects prior to questioning if responses are to be used in a
criminal trial. Suspects must be advised that they have the rights of silence and counsel.
49. Open primary: election to choose candidates that is open to independents, and in which voters may choose
candidates from any one party.
50. Original jurisdiction: authority of a court to first hear a case.
51. Party identification: a sense of affiliation that a person has with a particular political party.
52. Pluralism: theory that policy making is the result of interest group competition.
53. Plurality elections: such as those for Congress are won by the person with the most votes, regardless if he/she
has a majority.
54. Plurality: more votes than anyone else, but less than half, e.g., Clinton won a plurality (43%) of popular votes in
1992, but not a majority.
55. Political Action Committee (PAC): an interest group that raises funds and donates to election campaigns.
56. Political culture: the widely shared beliefs, values, and norms that citizens share about their government.
57. Political socialization: process in which one acquires his/her political beliefs.
58. Prior restraint: When a court stops expression before it is made, e.g., prohibiting a demonstration by a radical
group because the assembly is likely to become violent. Presumed to be unconstitutional.
59. Pure independents: voters who have no consistent pattern of party voting.
60. Realigning (critical) election: an election in which there is a long term change in party alignment, e.g., 1932.
61. Redistricting: redrawing of congressional district boundaries by the party in power of the state legislature.
62. Reserved powers: powers held by the states through the 10th Amendment. Any power not granted to the US
government is reserved for the states.
63. Rule of four: the Supreme Court will hear a case if four Justices agree to do so.
64. Rules Committee: the “traffic cop” of the House that sets the legislative calendar and issues rules for debate on a
bill.
65. Senatorial courtesy: tradition in which the President consults with the Senators within a state in which an
appointment is to be made.
66. Shay’s Rebellion: 1786 Revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a
factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention.
67. Single member district system: system in which the people elect one representative per district. With a winnertake-all rule, this system strengthens the two major parties and weakens minor parties.
68. Standing committees: the permanent Congressional Committees that handle legislation.
69. Ways and Means Committee: House committee that handles tax bills
70. Writ of Habeas Corpus: is recourse in law whereby a person can report an unlawful detention or imprisonment
before a court, usually through a prison official.
71. Writ of Certiorari: is a writ seeking judicial review that is issued by a higher court. Ex. Supreme Court.
Court Cases to Know
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Scott v. Sanford (1857)
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Barron v. Baltimore (1833)
Reynolds v US (1879)
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Weeks v. U.S. (1914)
Schenck v. U.S. (1919)
Gitlow v. New York (1925)
Near v. Minnesota (1931)
Palko v. Connecticut (1937)
Korematsu v. U.S. (1944)
Brown v. Board, 1st (1954)
Brown v. Board, 2nd (1955)
Roth v. United States (1957)
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Baker v. Carr (1962)
Abbington v. Schempp (1963)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Wesberry v. Sanders (1963)
/52 Points
Established judicial review; midnight judges; John Marshall; power of
the Supreme Court.
Established national supremacy; established implied powers; use of
Elastic Clause; state unable to tax federal institution; John Marshall:
“the power to tax is the power to destroy.”
Dred Scott was an enslaved person taken to a free territory. When
he attempted to sue for his freedom, Chief Justice Taney ruled that
as a slave, he was not a citizen and therefore, according to the
Constitution, the SC could not hear his case.
Established a broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause;
determined Congress power encompassed virtually every form of
commercial activity. The Commerce Clause has been the
Constitutional basis for much of Congressional regulation of the
economy.
Ruled that the Bill of Rights cannot be applied to states (Which will
change with the addition of the 14th Amendment and the SC process
of selective incorporation)
Banned polygamy, some religious beliefs not protected by Free
Exercise Clause
Established “Separate but Equal.” Gave Supreme Court approval to
Jim Crow laws.
Established the Exclusionary Rule at the federal level; illegally
obtained evidence cannot be used in court.
Oliver Wendell Holmes; Clear and Present Danger test; shouting fire
in a crowded theatre; limits on speech, esp. in wartime.
Established precedent of federalizing Bill of Rights (applying them to
the states); states cannot deny freedom of speech protected through
due process clause of 14th Amendment.
Held that the 1st Amendment protects newspapers from prior
restraint.
Provided test for determining which parts of Bill of Rights should be
federalized, those which are implicitly or explicitly necessary for
liberty to exist.
Upheld as Constitutional the internment of Americans with Japanese
descent during WWII.
School segregation unconstitutional; segregation psychologically
damaging to African Americans; overturned Separate but Equal; use
of 14th Amendment; judicial activism of Warren Court; unanimous
decision.
Ordered schools to desegregate “with all due and deliberate speed.”
Established that obscenity is not within the area of constitutionally
protected speech or press.
Established exclusionary rule; illegally obtained evidence cannot be
used in court; Warren Court’s judicial activism in criminal rights.
Prohibited state-sponsored recitation of prayer in public schools by
virtue of the 1st Amendment’s Establishment Clause and the 14th
Amendment’s due process clause; Warren Court’s judicial activism.
“One man, one vote.” Ordered state legislative districts to be as near
equal as possible in population; Warren Court’s political judicial
activism.
Prohibited devotional Bible reading in public schools by virtue of
Establishment Clause & 14th Amendment’s due process clause.
Warren Court’s judicial activism.
Ordered states to provide lawyers for those unable to afford them in
criminal proceedings. Warren Court’s judicial activism in criminal
rights.
Ordered House districts to be as near equal in population as
possible. Principle of “one man, one vote.”
NY Times v. Sullivan (1964)
Griswald v. Connecticut (1965)
Miranda v. Arizona (1965)
Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)
Furman v. Georgia (1972)
Miller v. California (1973)
Roe v. Wade (1973)
U.S. v. Nixon (1974)
Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
Gregg v. Georgia (1976)
U.C. Regents v. Bakke (1978)
Texas v. Johnson (1989)
Held that statements about public figures are libelous only if made
with malice and reckless disregard for the truth.
Established right of privacy through 4th & 9th & 14th Amendments. Set
a precedent for Roe v. Wade.
Established Miranda warnings of counsel and silence. Must be given
before questioning. Warren Court’s judicial activism in criminal
rights.
Established 3-part test to determine if Establishment Clause is
violated: non-secular purpose, advances/inhibits religion, excessive
entanglement with government. “Lemon Test”
SC ruled that the death penalty violated the 8th Amendment because
of the indiscriminate and inconsistent manner in which it was
imposed.
Established that community standards be used in determining
whether material is obscene in terms of appealing to “prurient
interest”, being “patently offensive,” and lacking in value.
Established national abortion guidelines; trimester guidelines; no
state interference in 1st; state may regulate to protect health of
mother in 2nd; state may regulate to protect health of unborn child in
3rd. Inferred from Right of Privacy established in Griswald v
Connecticut.
Allowed for executive privilege, but not in criminal cases; Even the
President is not above the law; Watergate.
1st Amendment protects campaign spending; legislatures can limit
contributions, but not how much one spends of his own money on
campaigns. The decision opened the door for PACs to spend
unlimited amounts of money for campaigning activities so long as
they’re not directly coordinated with a particular campaign.
Upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty; death penalty does
not constitute cruel & unusual punishment; overturned Furman v
Georgia (1972).
Bakke & UC Davis Med School; declared strict quotas
unconstitutional but states may allow race to be taken into account
as ONE factor in admissions decisions. Bakke was admitted;
affirmative action.
Struck down a law banning the burning of the American flag on the
grounds that such action was symbolic speech protected by the 1st
Amendment.
Oregon v Smith (1990)
Supreme Court case that held that the state could deny
unemployment benefits to a person fired for violating a state
prohibition on the use of peyote, even though the use of the drug
was part of a religious ritual. Although states have the power to
accommodate otherwise illegal acts performed in pursuit of
religious beliefs, they are not required to do so.
Planned Parenthood v. Casey
(1992)
States can regulate abortion, but not with regulations that impose
“undue burden” upon women; did not overturn Roe, but gave state
more leeway in regulating abortion (e.g., 24-hour waiting period,
parental consent for minors)
No racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant
factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.
Gun Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress’ authority to
regulate interstate commerce. The first case to begin reigning in
Congress’ authority under the Commerce Clause.
Banned presidential use of line item veto.
Use of 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause to stop the
Florida recount in the 2000 election.
Public money can be used to send disadvantaged children to
religious schools in tuition voucher programs.
Struck down a federal ban on virtual child pornography.
Using right of privacy, struck down Texas law banning sodomy.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
U.S. v. Lopez (1995)
Clinton v. NY (1998)
Bush v. Gore (2000)
Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
(2002)
Ashcroft v. ACLU (2002)
Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)
Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)
Kelo v New London (2005)
Roper v Simmons (2005)
DC v Heller(2008)
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
National Federation v Sebelius
(2012)
US v Windsor (2013)
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
Struck down use of bonus points for race in undergrad admissions at
University of Michigan; affirmative action
Allowed the use of race as a general factor in law school admissions
at University of Michigan; affirmative action.
Supreme Court of the United States involving the use of eminent
domain to transfer land from one private owner to another private
owner to further economic development. In a 5–4 decision, the
Court held that the general benefits a community enjoyed from
economic growth qualified private redevelopment plans as a
permissible "public use" under the Takings Clause of the Fifth
Amendment.
Supreme Court of the United States held that it is
unconstitutional to impose capital punishment for crimes
committed while under the age of 18. The 5-4 decision overruled
the Court's prior ruling upholding such sentences on offenders
above or at the age of 16, in Stanford v. Kentucky, 492 U.S. 361
(1989), overturning statutes in 25 states that had the penalty set
lower.
Supreme Court of the United States held in a 5–4 decision that
the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess
a firearm unconnected with service in a militia for traditionally
lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
The United States Supreme Court held (5–4) on 21 January
2010 that freedom of speech prohibited the government from
restricting independent political expenditures by nonprofit
corporations, for-profit corporations, labor unions and
other associations.
United States Supreme Court decision in which the Court upheld
Congress' power to enact most provisions of the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called Obamacare, and
the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA),
including a requirement for most Americans to have health
insurance by 2014.
Supreme Court ruled that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
was unconstitutional. In a 5 to 4 vote, the Court ruled that DOMA
violated the rights of gays and lesbians. The court also ruled that the
law interferes with the states' rights to define marriage. It was the
first case ever on the issue of gay marriage for the Supreme Court.
United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held in a 5–4
decision that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to samesex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal
Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United
States Constitution.
QUESTIONS ON THE CONSTITUTION –
DUE at the END of the FIRST WEEK OF CLASS
SURVEYING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION:
NAME____________________
__________/156 Points
Using a copy of the U.S. Constitution (attached but found many places) complete the following. The remaining questions
should be answerable in chronological order.
PREAMBLE:
1) How does the opening of the Preamble express popular sovereignty (power)?
2) List the six (6) goals stated in the Preamble.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
ARTICLE ONE:
1) Which Branch is described in Article One?
2) What did Section 1 of Article One provide for?
3) Who are “the electors” of the members of the House of Representatives? What are the three requirements for
being in the House of Representatives?
a.
b.
c.
4) What is the term of office for a member of the House of Representatives?
5) What eliminated the 3/5ths Compromise? (Clause 3)
6) What is the basis for the number of Representatives?
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
What is the sole position in the House that is mentioned in the Constitution?
Which House has the power of impeachment?
How many Senators are there from each state?
How long is the term of office for a Senator?
Who chose the Senators in the original Constitution?
How did the “classes” of Senators bring about a staggered system of election? (Section 3, Clause 2)
List the qualifications for being a Senator.
a.
b.
c.
14) In clause 4, who is President of the Senate?
15) When does he get to vote?
16) What is the substitute position for when the President of the Senate is absent?
18) What power does the Senate have in impeachments?
19) Who presides if it is the President who is being tried for impeachment?
20) What percentage of vote is needed to find someone guilty of impeachment?
21) In Clause 6, what is the penalty for conviction for impeachment?
22) What level of government authority controls the election process or manner in which members of Congress are
elected? Is their authority absolute?
23) Under Section 5, how were the rules of the House and Senate determined?
24) What is the ultimate punishment of a member of either House, and how many members must agree to this
punishment for it to be enacted?
25) What percentage of members of each House can request that a vote in their house be officially recorded (as Yeas
and Nays)?
26) What is the rule for adjournment that both Houses must share?
27) Section 6, what two immunities are granted members of Congress? (Be Specific)
a.
b.
28) What are the two main restrictions in Sec. 6, Clause 2?
c.
d.
29) Where must all revenue bills originate (section 7, clause 1)?
30) What can the Senate do to revenue bills?
31) How can a Bill become law if the President vetoes it?
32) What percentage of both Houses of Congress must agree to override a veto?
33) When can a bill become a law without the President’s signature?
34) What happens after ten days if the President doesn’t sign a bill?
35) What other Congressional require Presidential signature?
36) Which exception does your book provide to requiring a Presidential signature?
37) List the expressed powers of Congress listed in Section 8, Clause 1
1.
8.
2.
9.
3.
10.
4.
11.
5.
12.
6.
13.
7.
14.
38) What did Clause 2 establish?
39) What is the purpose of the Necessary and Proper, or “elastic clause” (clause 3), and what power does it provide?
40) There are 12 denied powers of Congress listed in 8 clauses. List what they are (* defined in class later)
a.
e.
b.
f.
c.
g.
d.
h.
41) How is the list of powers in section 9 different from those listed in section 8?
42) From Section 10, Clause 1, list the eight powers denied to the states.
1.
5.
2.
6.
3.
7.
4.
8.
43) What power is denied to the states under most circumstances in Clause 2?
44) What happens to any money raised through duties (taxes) on imports or exports by the states?
45) What six powers are denied to the states in Clause 3? What is the exception?
1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.
ARTICLE TWO:
1) Which Branch does Article Two describe?
2) Who is the head of the Executive Branch?
3) What is the term of office for the President?
4) How is the number of Electors to the Electoral College determined (clause 2), and how are they
appointed?
5) Who specifically cannot serve as an Elector?
6) Clause 3 was altered by the 12th Amendment. Refer to the 12th Amendment and clause 3 to
answer these questions.
 Where are electoral votes counted?

What must a person receive to become the President?

Who decides who is President if no one has a majority or if there is a tie?

What role does the Senate play?
7) Who has the power to decide what day the Electors meet to cast their vote?
8) *What is the formula that determines the day of the Presidential election in any given election
year?
9) What are the qualifications for President as provided in Clause 5?
a.
b.
c.
10) The 25th Amendment modified Clause 6. Under the new guidelines, who becomes President if
the President can no longer fulfill that duty? How is this different from the original system found in
clause 6?
11) If the President is replaced by the Vice President during his term, how is a new Vice President
chosen? (This was provided by the 25th Amendment)
12) What cannot happen to the President’s pay scale during his/her term? Why?
13) What 2 things does the President swear to in his/her oath of office?
a.
b.
14) In Section 2, Clause 1, what power is provided to the President regarding the military?
15) How did Section 2, Clause 1 lead to the formation of today’s Presidential Cabinet?
16) What can a President NOT pardon or reprieve someone for?
17) With whom does the President share appointment and treaty powers?
17) What percentage of Senators must agree with the President in making appointments or treaties
with foreign nations?
18) What level of officials do NOT require Senate approval (VERY important today)?
19)
20) What is meant by a “recess” appointment, and why might it be used?
22) List the ten major powers and duties of the President found in Section 2 and 3.
1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
23) What yearly speech is referred to in Section 3 of Article II? State of the Union Address
24) What are the offenses for which government officials can be impeached?
a.
b.
c.
25) In comparing the powers of the President with the powers of the Congress, what
difference(s) do you note?
ARTICLE THREE:
1) Which Branch does Article Three describe?
2) Which is the only court mentioned in Section 1?
3) What is its function?
4) What are inferior courts?
5) Who creates them and how?
6) What is the term of office for a federal court judge?
7) Why can salaries for federal judges NOT be reduced by Congress?
8)
List the ten types of cases which are always tried in a federal court.
1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
9) In what three types does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction? (Section 2)
a.
b.
c.
10) What is appellate jurisdiction, which accounts for the rest of the Court’s power?
11) What are the requirements of federal trials with regards to
a. Judgment
b. Location
12) How did the Congress of Vienna in 1815 change the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction?
13) What is the only crime defined in the Constitution? (Article 3, Section 3)
14) How does the Constitution define treason?
15) What is required in order for someone to be convicted for treason?
a.
b.
What do Articles 4-7 cover?
16) Article 4 17) Article 5 18) Article 6 19) Article 7 –
20) Explain the two ways that the Constitution can be amended?