AP Unit 1 Study Guide: Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism
Readings: Wilson & Dilulio: Chapters 1-3; Look at chapter outlines and notes
Important Key Terms/Words
Power
Authority
Legitimacy
Democracy
Direct democracy
Representative democracy
Republic
separation of powers
amendment
Federalists
Federalist Papers
checks and balances
enumerated powers
concurrent powers
reserved powers
judicial review
federalism
Antifederalists
faction
habeas corpus
ex post facto law
bill of attainder
Bill of Rights
devolution
block grant
“necessary and proper” clause
nullification
dual federalism
Initiative
Conditions of aid
recall
mandates
referendum
categorical grants
Chapter 1- The Study of American Government
1. Distinguish among the two concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter, explaining in which of
these senses the textbook refers to American government as democratic.
2. Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics, explaining the four major theories of
elitist politics.
3. What is the concept of pluralism?
Chapter 2- The Constitution
1. Explain the notion of higher law by which the colonists felt they were entitled to certain natural rights.
List these rights.
2. Explain the political significance of the Declaration of Independence in terms of what it did for the
American colonies and what it did not do.
3. Identify and explain the shortcomings of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.
4. How did the backgrounds of the Constitutional framers impact their mistrust of the notion of
democracy?
5. Compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey plans, and briefly explain how they led to the Great
Compromise.
6. Explain how Madison’s views on human nature influenced the framing of the Constitution. (Fed 51)
7. Explain why the Constitution did not include a bill of rights and explain why one was added.
8. Summarize Charles Beard’s analysis of the economic motivations of the Framers and the
counteranalyses of those who disagreed with him.
Chapter 3- Federalism
1. Explain the difference between federal and centralized systems of government
2. Explain how the courts have interpreted national and state powers with respect to both dual federalism
and cooperative federalism.
3. Explain why federal grants-in-aid have been politically popular, and identify the pitfalls of such grants.
4. Despite efforts to reverse the trend, explain why categorical grants have continued to grow more rapidly
than block grants.
5. Explain the significance of the 10th Amendment in our federal system of government.
6. Distinguish between mandates and conditions of aid with respect to federal grant programs to states and
localities.
7. Define devolution and discuss its causes.
8. Identify key SCOTUS cases involving federalism.