Welcome to the AP Government course and congratulations on entering you final year at

CDM.
The AP Government course will operate in a different manner than your other history
courses in that it is based on the foundations, fundamentals and key concepts that the
United States is built and operate on, rather than chronological events. With that in mind,
you will be expected to think critically about policies, cases, and law with a historical and
sociological lens to better understand the continual evolution of the peoples relationship
with the Constitution and their government.
While you are expected to read and review chapters 1,2,4, and answer the attached
Foundations of Rights review questions and the outlines, know that the review questions
may require you to do additional research outside of the book to fully answer each
question. Youll note that the concepts overlap and build upon each other throughout the
year, so you will need to review and keep your vocabulary fresh to perform well on tests
and participate in discussion. I recommend a composition book for your review
questions, notes, and vocabulary to bring to class daily and complete assignments in.
Vocabulary accompanies each assigned chapter of reading and includes the terms listed,
and you need to provide at least one working example of each term as you would an FRQ
describe or explain question.
Your Foundations of Rights review questions and vocabulary will be due on the first day
of class. We will cover additional policies and answer any content questions you may
have to best prepare you for an FRQ on the second day. Please review the Verbiage
Breakdown in preparation for the FRQ and before you do the vocabulary. You will note
that identify, describe, and discuss may be different than past AP courses but will make a
huge difference in how you answer questions and ultimately score on the exam. Keep in
mind that the peoples relationship with their government is constantly evolving and you
will be expected to keep up with relevant and current issues and politics facing the U.S.
and global community. Please read and watch a variety of news and editorial content
with an open mind and diversify your reading and viewing base as we will discuss, write
and quiz on current events, topics, and personalities.
The textbook if you chose to purchase it is Government in America. People, Politics, and
Policy. 12th Edition. George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, Robert L.
Lineberry. ISBN# 0-321-29236--7 (Advanced Placement Edition). Copyright 2006.
Pearson Education.
I look forward to a wonderful year ahead! Please let me know if you have any questions!
Mrs. Kucera Rothman
jkucera@nmusd.us

AP Government
Answer each of the questions and incorporate appropriate vocabulary and key terms from your
text to best answer each question. While your assigned reading chapters may cover the content
lightly, you may find the need to conduct additional research to answer the questions fully.
Foundations of Rights
1. Why was the principal goal of the American Revolution liberty? Why was the principal goal
of the French Revolution equality?
2. Define natural rights. What is the significance of natural rights?
3. Under the Articles of Confederation, which facet of government has the most control over
dealing with policy issues? Why?
4. What is the significance of due process rights? (note significance means define and tell me
how it works and why its important).
5. Describe what Madison means when he states, If men were angels, no government would be
necessary. What is he saying about the nature of man? How does that nature affect government?
6. What was the central issue in the framing of the US Constitution? (Hint* It was the major
problem with the Articles of Confederation)
7. What was the significance of the Great Compromise?
8. Define republic. Why did the framers chose this style of government?
9. What is the most common method to amending the Constitution? How does it reflect
federalism? What is the effect of such a deliberative process?
10. What is the significance of seperation of powers?
11. Define federalism.
12. What are the reserved powers? In which amendment does it state the reserved powers?
13. What are the enumerated powers? In which Article are these powers listed?
14. Why did the anti-federalists disagree with the US Constitution?
15. Why did the framers at first not put a Bill of Rights into the US Constitution?
16. Define the line-item veto. Why was it created in 1994? Why was it declared
unconstitutional? Who has the right and power to use the line-item veto?
17. What is a plea bargain? Why is used so frequently in our judicial process?
18. Is it legal to burn the flag?
19. Why do conflicts in our civil liberties occur?
20. What is the significance of selective incorporation? How was selective incorporation affected
the states?
21. Were the US Nazis allowed to march in Skokie? Why? How does this example relate to
Madisons Federalist #10?
22. Define the doctrine of preferred position. How does the right of free expression demonstrate
this doctrine?
23. Define libel. Define slander. How are those two terms different?
24. Explain the significance of symbolic speech. Is it protected under the First Amendment?
What would be an example of symbolic speech?
25. Explain the significance of the Free Exercise and No Establishment. What amendment are
those two clauses found?
26. Explain the significance of the exclusionary rule.
27. Explain the significance of Baker v. Carr and Westbury v. Sanders.
28. What are civil rights? Can laws make distinctions between people? Are all distinctions

acceptable?
29. Define strict scrutiny. What does the Supreme Court mean if they are going to apply strict
scrutiny? To what issue do the courts apply strict scrutiny?
30. Which amendment gave equal political rights to blacks?
31. Why did the NAACP strategy of using the courts and litigation further to further civil rights
work so effectively.
32. What is the difference between de jure and de facto segregation?
33. What is the right to privacy? What amendment do they interpret the right to privacy? Why is
this right so controversial?
34. Define affirmative action. Why does it exist? Why is it so controversial?
35.What was the Bakke case? Why did the supreme court rule that quotas were illegal? What are
quotas?
36. Why do Americans polled typically oppose preferential treatment in hiring and admission
processes?
Outline the Bill of Rights.
Outline the following court cases and precedents: Roe v. Wade, Griswold v. Connecticut, Brown
v. Board, Mapp v. Ohio, Miranda v. Arizona, Baker v. Carr, Gitlow v. New York

Verbiage Breakdown
Deconstruc5ng a FRQ
-Mark up verbs, create a brief
outline to understand ques5on

The BIG Five

Dene- state meaning of the word or phrase
Iden:fy- name and dene
Describe- Iden:fy, dene and relate it to the context of
ques:on (talk about it)
Discuss- Iden:fy, dene and tell a liFle something about it
Explain- Iden:fy, dene and tell how and why, give
examples usually use the word becauseHighest Bar,
CLOSE the loop and the how, why and what!, say at least 3
pieces about it
TREND- Trend means direc:on over :me

Not a paFern, cycle, or moment in :me

The Rest

Compare- emphasize similari:es but also dierences, how and why

Contrast- give dierences only, how and why
Cri:cize- Give judgment of good points, and the limita:ons with evidence
Evaluate- Give the posi:ve & nega:ve pts of a subject and your cri:cal
judgment about which is beFer
Cause/Eect- describe the steps that lead to an event or situa:on and
discuss what happens as a result of that event or situa:on
Jus:fy- Give reasons why
Prove- show to be true by giving facts and reasons
Relate- show connec:ons b/w govt ideas, themes, buzzwords
Summarize- Give a condensed account of the main pts.
Support- back up a statement with facts and proof
Trace- describe the development or history of a subject