It's AP exam season, so it's time to get your studying game on! With the AP GOPO exam right around the corner, it's certainly a stressful time, but Fiveable's got your back! We've put together a review chart with all the vocab and concepts you need to succeed. Be sure to also check out our 

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AP US Government Cheat Sheet PDF & Review Chart

Our amazing teachers and students who have already taken and passed the exam created this cram sheet to help you out on your preparation for the exam. Happy studying! 

AP US Government

Review everything you need to know about the foundations of American democracy with these AP US Gov unit 1 Resources. You'll learn more about the principles of American government, federalism, and some key court cases and foundational documents. With a variety of resources, you'll be prepared for the exam!

Unit 1 – Foundations of American Democracy

Gain an understanding of the interactions among branches of the AP US Government and Politics exam. We'll cover the 3 branches of government— legislative, executive, and judicial—as well as the bureaucracy and checks and balances in relation to each branch. You'll master this unit with our helpful slides, review videos, and study guides!

Unit 2 – Branches of Government

Grasp all the important content on civil rights and liberties from unit 3 of the US Government and Politics exam. We cover the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, relevant SCOTUS cases, selective incorporation, and social movements and affirmative action. With these free study resources, you'll be well prepared for the exam!

Unit 3 – Civil Liberties & Civil Rights

Explore different political philosophies and how major parties influence ideology for unit 4 of the AP US Government and Politics exam. We cover the history of political parties, their impact on voters and the government, third parties, and political socialization. With a variety of resources on this unit, you'll be ready for a 5 no time!

Unit 4 – American Political Ideologies & Beliefs

Gain a good understanding of Unit 5, political participation, for the US Government and Politics exam. We'll cover media ownership and bias, voting and voter behavior, campaign finance, realignments, and dealignments. Review slides, student-led streams, and teacher reviews on this unit so you can ace your exam!

Unit 5 – Political Participation

Frequently Asked Questions

Ace that AP US Gov multiple choice section with confidence with these helpful study guides and streams. Learn how the section is structure and how to go about each question, and you'll be feeling more confident in no time. 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

Learn how to effectively write free-response questions for the AP US Government and Politics exam, including short answer questions, the argument essay, and the SCOTUS application FRQ. We cover logistics, scoring, and helpful tips. You'll be prepared with conceptual and quantitative analysis reviews and practice prompt reviews!

Free Response Questions (FRQ)

Exam Skills (MC, FRQ)

Be informed with our relevant and well-researched current events and government streams which will help you be a more updated citizen and also help you get some context to do even better on the AP US Gov exam!

Current Events

Exam Reviews 2020

Find the answers to all your questions about AP US Government and Politics in these question and answer sessions. You'll be able to work out any uncertainties and feel confident for the exam.

Q & A sessions

Review every concept from all the units of AP US Government and Politics. These big reviews will serve as the ultimate preparation for the US Government and Politics exam. You'll feel ready for anything the test gives you and ace it in no time! 

Big Reviews: Finals & Exam Prep

AP Cram Sessions 2021

Live Cram Sessions 2020

Origins of American Democracy

Theories of Democratic Government

A First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation

The Road to the Constitution

Key Principle: Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances

Key Principle: Federalism

Unit 1 Overview: Foundations of American Democracy

Key Founding Documents

Principles of the American Government

Ideals of Democracy

Required Founding Documents for APGOPO

Declaration of Independence

Articles of Confederation

Federalist 10

Federalist 51

Brutus 1

Federalist 70

Federalist 78

The Constitution and Bill of Rights

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Conclusion

Required Founding Documents

Multiple Choice Practice for Foundations of American Democracy 

Multiple Choice Questions

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Foundations of American Democracy

MC Answers and Review

Types of Democracy

Key Required Documents 📜

Federalist No. 10 Summary

Brutus No. 1 Summary

Review Time

Federalist No. 10 & Brutus 1 Summary 

Shays' Rebellion #exposed

Key Weaknesses

Challenges of the Articles of Confederation

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

Electoral College 

Three-Fifths Compromise  

Compromise on the Importation of Slaves 

Ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers

Principles of American Government

Powers: Delegated, Enumerated, and Concurrent

Federal Funding 💵

Relationship Between States and the Federal Government

Necessary and Proper Clause

Amendments

Tenth

Fourteenth

Supreme Court Cases

McCulloch v. Maryland

US v. Lopez

Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism

How Federalism Actually Works

Federalism in Action

Multiple Choice Practice for Interactions Among Branches of Government

Branches of Government 

Important Documents 

Congress

The Presidency

The Courts

The Bureaucracy

Unit 2 Overview: Interactions Among Branches of Government

House of Representatives

The Senate

Powers

Tenure

Court-Curbing

Enforcement of Rulings

Partisanship

The Court in Action

Activism vs. Restraint

Checks on the Supreme Court

Nominations

Checks on the Judicial Branch

Types of Bureaucratic Agencies 👩‍🔬👨‍🔬👨‍💻🧑‍💻

Policy Development

Civil Service

Merit and Reforms 

Important Offices and Laws 

How do these powers work?

Key Ideas

Discretionary and Rule-Making Authority

Congressional Oversight

Executive Direction

Judicial Rulings

Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Interactions Among Branches of Government

What does each branch do?

Interactions

Policy and the Branches of Government 

Powers Unique to One Chamber

Congressional Oversight and Transparency

Legislative Process

Structure

Rules in the House of Representatives

Important Roles in the House

Important Roles in the Senate

Rules in the Senate

Functions

Committees

The President's Desk

Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress

Models of Representation

Divided Governments

Congressional Behavior

Veto Powers and Signing Statements

Foreign Policy Powers

Treaties and Executive Agreements

Executive Orders

Roles and Power of the President

Executive Appointments and Senate Confirmation

President’s Influence

Checks on the Presidency

Key Documents and Developments

Key Events

Expansion of Presidential Power

Modern Tech📱

The Bully Pulpit and Impact on Policymaking

Presidential Communication

Judicial Review

Structure of the Judicial Branch

Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review

The Judicial Branch

Precedent and Stare Decisis 🤓

Confirmation Process 👩🏽‍⚖️

Legitimacy of the Judicial Branch

Some Background

Why Do I Need to Know These?

What Are The Required Cases?

Why These Cases?

4 Key Points for Each Case

Cases Involving Federalism

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Cases Involving the First Amendment

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

New York Times Co v. United States (1971)

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Cases Involving Selective Incorporation

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Roe v. Wade (1973)

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Cases Involving the Equal Protection Clause

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Cases Involving Federal Policy

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Cases Involving Districting & Representation

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Cases Involving Judicial Review

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

How to study the required court cases?

First Amendment Rights

Civil Rights

Important Vocabulary 

Unit 3 Overview: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

What is it?

Protecting from Abuse of Government Power

The Bill of Rights

Racial Equality

Women's Rights

Social Movements and Equal Protection

Responses to the Civil Rights Movement

Responses to Gender Discrimination

Government Responses to Social Movements

Plessy v. Ferguson

Balancing Minority and Majority Rights

Download AP US Gov Cheat Sheet PDF Cram Chart

Download AP US Gov Cheat Sheet PDF Cram Chart

AP US Government 👩🏾‍⚖️

Get Ready for the AP US Government Exam

Multiple Choice

Free Response

AP US Government Cheat Sheet PDF & Review Chart

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