AP US Government and Politics requires knowing 15 required Supreme Court cases, 9 foundational documents, and the structure of all three branches. Here are the highest-yield notes.
Unit 1–2: Foundations and Institutions
Constitutional design: separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism. Required documents: Federalist 10 (factions), Federalist 51 (ambition countering ambition), Anti-Federalist 78 (judicial review concerns), Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Articles of Confederation (weaknesses). Congress: bicameralism, filibuster, cloture, oversight, legislative process.
Unit 3–4: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Required court cases: Marbury v. Madison (judicial review), McCulloch v. Maryland (necessary and proper clause), Engel v. Vitale (establishment clause), Tinker v. Des Moines (student speech), New York Times v. US (prior restraint), Schenck v. US (clear and present danger), McDonald v. Chicago (2nd Amendment incorporation), Gideon v. Wainwright (right to counsel), Brown v. Board (equal protection).
Unit 5: Political Participation
Voter ID, registration requirements, turnout factors (education, income, age). Political parties: realignment, dealignment, third-party barriers (Electoral College, plurality voting). Interest groups and PACs vs. Super PACs (Citizens United).
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