Introduction to AP Government
Introduction to AP Government What this course will cover… • 1. The historical background of the US government • 2. The structure of the US government • 3. Understandings of the inner workings of the American Political System • 4. The ability you have to effect government, including your rights as a citizen • 5. Class, Race, and Gender and its effects on government • 6. Comparing the US government to other governments globally • 7. Understanding Current Events related to government
The Man… • Government – procedures and institutions by which a state governs itself. • State – A political unit. Community with its own territory and government.
• Politics – The process in which people decide, at least in theory, who should govern and what policies should be adopted. • Politicians – Those in a system of government who operates and monitors the tasks of government. • Political Science – The study of the principles, procedures and structures of government and the analysis of political ideas, behaviors, and practices.
The Constitution
“Americans have long been skeptical of politicians and politics. Yet politics is a necessary activity for a democracy. Indeed, politics and politicians are essential in indispensable to making our system of separated institutions and checks and balances work.” – Government by the People
Democracy • Democracy: a form of government in which the citizens have a say in government, directly or indirectly, with free and frequent elections. Is a government “by the people” (Demos=people Kratos=power), the people have power. • Direct Democracy: A democracy where citizens come together and discuss all issues. (New England town meeting) • Representative Democracy (A Republic): A democracy where the people directly elect officials to make decisions for them through elections. Also called a republic. (US, Mass. state government)
How Democracy Functions • Constitutional Democracy: A democracy where there is a governing document (written or unwritten) that establishes a set system of government and laws. • Statism: The idea that the rights of the state are supreme over the rights of the individual. • Majority Rule: Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority. • Majority: The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast to win the election. • Plurality: A candidate or party wins the most votes cast, not necessarily more than half.
Does the US truly have a democracy? Arguments for and against.
Declaration of Independence • Created in 1776 during the Revolutionary War (War of American Independence) • Established the country as independent • Has no actual legal application today, besides be quoted and being a foundational document • All governmental decisions are based on the Constitution
Treaty of Paris | 1783 American Independence
Ideology and Theocracy • Ideology: One’s basic belief about power, political values, and the role of government – beliefs arise from education, economic situation, social conditions, and experiences. • Theocracy: government by religious leaders.
Continental Congress (First US Government) • • • • •
Unicameral All 13 states get one vote Unanimous Vote Required No power to tax No power to deal with foreign government • States were independent nations
Problems with Articles of Confederation • • • • • •
No strong central government No executive No right to tax Could not raise troops No foreign trade ability No national regulation of states
Social Class After Revolution
Shay’s Rebellion | 1786
Many of the soldiers in the Revolutionary War Soldiers were farmers who returned to the fields And their families after the war ended.
These soldiers were paid for their service in bonds.
Many Western Massachusetts farmer were told these bonds were worthless and they were purchased by rich bond speculators in Boston
Many of the bond speculators were in the State General Court – State House.
The Massachusetts State House issues an Act that all war bonds will be paid at FULL PRICE, to do this taxes will be raised. Much of these taxes were levied on the poor farmers.
1786 Annapolis Convention
It was a meeting at Annapolis, Maryland where delegates from five states called for a constitutional convention.
The Federal Pillars, a woodcut from The Massachusetts Centinel, June 11, 1788.
The Man… • Government – procedures and institutions by which a state governs itself. • State – A political unit. Community with its own territory and government.
• Politics – The process in which people decide, at least in theory, who should govern and what policies should be adopted. • Politicians – Those in a system of government who operates and monitors the tasks of government. • Political Science – The study of the principles, procedures and structures of government and the analysis of political ideas, behaviors, and practices.
The Constitution
“Americans have long been skeptical of politicians and politics. Yet politics is a necessary activity for a democracy. Indeed, politics and politicians are essential in indispensable to making our system of separated institutions and checks and balances work.” – Government by the People
Democracy • Democracy: a form of government in which the citizens have a say in government, directly or indirectly, with free and frequent elections. Is a government “by the people” (Demos=people Kratos=power), the people have power. • Direct Democracy: A democracy where citizens come together and discuss all issues. (New England town meeting) • Representative Democracy (A Republic): A democracy where the people directly elect officials to make decisions for them through elections. Also called a republic. (US, Mass. state government)
How Democracy Functions • Constitutional Democracy: A democracy where there is a governing document (written or unwritten) that establishes a set system of government and laws. • Statism: The idea that the rights of the state are supreme over the rights of the individual. • Majority Rule: Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority. • Majority: The candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast to win the election. • Plurality: A candidate or party wins the most votes cast, not necessarily more than half.
Does the US truly have a democracy? Arguments for and against.
Declaration of Independence • Created in 1776 during the Revolutionary War (War of American Independence) • Established the country as independent • Has no actual legal application today, besides be quoted and being a foundational document • All governmental decisions are based on the Constitution
Treaty of Paris | 1783 American Independence
Ideology and Theocracy • Ideology: One’s basic belief about power, political values, and the role of government – beliefs arise from education, economic situation, social conditions, and experiences. • Theocracy: government by religious leaders.
Continental Congress (First US Government) • • • • •
Unicameral All 13 states get one vote Unanimous Vote Required No power to tax No power to deal with foreign government • States were independent nations
Problems with Articles of Confederation • • • • • •
No strong central government No executive No right to tax Could not raise troops No foreign trade ability No national regulation of states
Social Class After Revolution
Shay’s Rebellion | 1786
Many of the soldiers in the Revolutionary War Soldiers were farmers who returned to the fields And their families after the war ended.
These soldiers were paid for their service in bonds.
Many Western Massachusetts farmer were told these bonds were worthless and they were purchased by rich bond speculators in Boston
Many of the bond speculators were in the State General Court – State House.
The Massachusetts State House issues an Act that all war bonds will be paid at FULL PRICE, to do this taxes will be raised. Much of these taxes were levied on the poor farmers.
1786 Annapolis Convention
It was a meeting at Annapolis, Maryland where delegates from five states called for a constitutional convention.
The Federal Pillars, a woodcut from The Massachusetts Centinel, June 11, 1788.
