Foundations of American Democracy

AP Government
Unit 1 Reading Guide – Chapters 1, 2, 3

Use this to guide your reading through the unit. It is strongly recommended that you take notes, as they will
assist you for quizzes and tests.

Objectives:
Chapter 1
1.1 Identify the key functions of government and explain why they matter.
1.2 Define politics in the context of democratic government.
1.3 Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people. (LOR-1.B.1, PMI-1.B.1)
1.4 Identify the key principles of democracy and outline theories regarding how it works in practice and the challenges democracy faces today. (LOR-1.B.1, PMI-1.B.1)
1.5 Outline the central arguments of the debate in America over the proper scope of government.
Chapter 2
2.1 Describe the ideas behind the American Revolution and their role in shaping the Constitution. (LOR-1.A.1, LOR-1.A.2)
2.2 Analyze how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to its failure. (CON-1.B.1)
2.3 Describe the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and the core ideas they shared.
2.4 Categorize the issues at the Constitutional Convention and outline the resolutions reached on each type of issue. (CON-1.C.1, CON-1.C.2, CON-1.C.3)
2.5 Analyze how the components of the Madisonian system addressed the dilemma of reconciling majority rule with the protection of minority interests.
2.6 Compare and contrast the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in terms of their background and their positions regarding government.
(LOR-1.B.2, CON-1.A.1,CON-1.A.2, CON-1.C.2, PMI-1.A.2, PMI-1.A.2)
2.7 Explain how the Constitution can be formally amended and how it changes informally. (CON-1.C.2)
2.8 Assess whether the Constitution establishes a majoritarian democracy and how it limits the scope of government.
Chapter 3
3.1 Define federalism and contrast it with alternative ways of organizing a nation. (CON-1.C.4)
3.2 Outline the constitutional basis for the division of power between national and state governments, the establishment of national supremacy, and states' obligations to
each other. (PMI-1.A.1, CON-2.A.1, CON-2.A.2, CON-2.B.1, CON-2.B.2) *McCulloch v Maryland, United States v Lopez
3.3 Characterize the shift from dual to cooperative federalism, the role of fiscal federalism in intergovernmental relations today, and diversity in policies among the
states.
3.4 Explain the consequences of federalism for diversity in public polices among the states. (PMI-1.B.1, CON-2-C.1, CON-2.C.2)
3.5 Assess the impact of federalism on democratic government and the scope of government.

Readings Collegeboard Frameworks Covered

Edwards textbook Chapters 1-3 Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
John Locke: Treatise of Government
LOR-1
*Declaration of Independence
*Articles of Confederation A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, B.3
*Federalist Papers #10, #51, #70 CON-1
*Antifederalist Papers A.1, A.2, B.1, C.1, C.2, C.3, C.4
(*Founding Documents) CON-2
A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2, C.1, C.2
Dates PMI-1
August 28th Vocab Quiz Opens A.1, A.2, B.1, B.2,
August 30th Chapter 1 Test closes
th
September 10 Chapter 2 Quiz closes
September 13th Chapter 2 Test Closes
September 18th Chapter 3 Quiz closes
th
September 24 Chapter 3 Test Closes
September 25th Unit 1 Vocab Quiz Closes
September 26th Unit 1 Written Exam
September 28th Unit 1 Multiple Choice Exam
*Tests and Quizzes close at 11:59pm on date indicated. For example the Ch 1 Test will close on Thursday August 30th at 11:59pm.
 Foundations of American Democracy
AP Government
Unit 1 Reading Guide – Chapters 1, 2, 3

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

8/19 8/20 8/21 8/22 8/23 8/24 8/25
Successful Successful Successful Exploring the Exploring the
Students: Day 1 Students: Day 2 Students: Day 3 Constitution: Constitution:
Structure, Clauses cont.,
Navigating, Amendments
Clauses

8/26 8/27 8/28 8/29 8/30 8/31 9/1

Ch 1 Lecture 1.3 1.4 Ch 2 Intro
Ch 1 Test Opens Vocab Quiz Open Ch 1 Test Closes Revolution to
Constitution
9/2 9/3 9/4 9/5 9/6 9/7 9/8
NO SCHOOL 2.1 2.2 2.3-2.4 2.3-2.4, 2.5
Articles of Articles of Constitutional Constitutional
Confederation Confederation Convention Convention
Ch 2 Test Opens Ch 2 Quiz Opens
9/9 9/10 9/11 9/12 9/13 9/14 9/15
2.6 2.6 Ratification Ratification 3.1 + 3.3
Ratification Ratification Ch 2 Test Closes Federalism Intro
Ch 2 Quiz Closes
9/16 9/17 9/18 9/19 9/20 9/21 9/22
3.1+3.3 3.1+3.3 3.2 3.2 3.2
Federalism Federalism Ch 3 Quiz Closes
Ch 3 Quiz Opens
Ch 3 Test Opens

9/23 9/24 9/25 9/26 9/27 9/28 9/29

McCulloch v McCulloch v US v Lopez Written Exam Unit Review
Maryland Maryland Vocab Quiz
Ch 3 Test Closes US v Lopez Closes
9/30 10/1
Unit 1 Exam

*STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL INFORMATION PRESENTED IN CLASS, READINGS, NOTES, AND HOMEWORK