AP US Government: Representation & Gridlock - The Night Before 🚀

Hey, future AP Gov rockstar! Let's make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace this exam. We're going to break down representation, gridlock, and gerrymandering in a way that's super clear and easy to remember. Let's do this!

🏛️ How Representatives Work: Serving the People

Representatives are the bridge between us and the government. Here's what they do:

• ✅ Vote on legislation: They make the laws!
• Help constituents: They assist with government issues.
• Address complaints: They act on concerns about federal services.
• Sponsor opportunities: They support constituents seeking scholarships or contracts.
• Gather feedback: They listen to ideas for improving government. 💡

⚖️ Models of Representation

There are different ways representatives approach their job:

• Delegate Model: They act on the direct wishes of their constituents. Think of them as a messenger delivering the people's will. Example: A rep from a farming area pushing for agricultural subsidies. 🚜

• Trustee Model: They use their own best judgment to make decisions, even if it goes against what some constituents want. They act as a guardian of the public good. Example: A rep voting against a popular tax cut they believe will hurt the economy.

• Politico Model: A mix of both! They use their own judgment, but switch to the delegate model when the public is vocal. They are pragmatists, balancing ideals and public opinion. 😎

🚧 Divided Government & Gridlock

⚔️ Partisanship, Gridlock, and Elections

• Ideological Divisions: Big differences in political beliefs can cause major disagreements in Congress.

• Gridlock: When the government can't move forward because of these disagreements. It's like a political traffic jam! 🚦

  • Causes: When parties refuse to compromise, leading to a stalemate.

  • Solutions: Requires negotiation and compromise. 🤝

Source: MinnPost

• Divided Government: When the President is from one party and one or both chambers of Congress are controlled by the other party. This can lead to:
  • Partisan votes against the President's initiatives.
  • A "lame-duck" president unable to get appointments confirmed. 🔒

🗺️ Gerrymandering & Representation

• Gerrymandering: Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage. This can lead to unfair representation. 🤨
• Redistricting: The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.
• Unequal Representation: When some people's votes count more than others due to district lines.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases:

• Baker v. Carr (1962):

  • Opened the door to challenges against unequal district sizes.
  • Established the "one person, one vote" doctrine. ⚖️
  • Districts must be roughly equal in population.

• Shaw v. Reno (1993):

  • Race cannot be the predominant factor in redistricting.
  • Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional. 🚫

Source: NPR

🎯 Final Exam Focus

• High-Value Topics: Models of representation, divided government, gerrymandering, and landmark court cases.
• Question Types: Expect multiple-choice questions on the definitions of different representation models and the effects of gerrymandering. FRQs often ask you to connect these concepts to real-world examples and court cases.

Pay special attention to the impact of divided government and gerrymandering on the legislative process and representation. These are frequent FRQ topics.

Last-Minute Tips:

• Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on and come back if needed.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use examples from the course material.
• FRQ Strategies: Read the prompt carefully, plan your response, and use clear, concise language. Don't forget to use specific evidence to support your claims.

📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which model of representation is characterized by a representative voting based on their own judgement, even if it goes against the wishes of their constituents? (A) Delegate Model (B) Trustee Model (C) Politico Model (D) Bureaucratic Model

2. What is the primary goal of gerrymandering? (A) To create more competitive elections (B) To ensure equal representation for all citizens (C) To manipulate district boundaries for political advantage (D) To comply with the Voting Rights Act

3. Which Supreme Court case established the "one person, one vote" doctrine? (A) Shaw v. Reno (B) Marbury v. Madison (C) Baker v. Carr (D) McCulloch v. Maryland

Free Response Question

The following is a free-response question. You have 25 minutes to complete it.

Analyze how the concepts of divided government and gerrymandering can impact the legislative process. In your response, be sure to:

• Define divided government and gerrymandering.
• Explain how each can affect the passage of legislation.
• Provide an example of a Supreme Court case related to gerrymandering and explain its significance.

Scoring Rubric

• Definition of Divided Government (1 point): A definition that correctly identifies divided government as a situation where one party controls the presidency and another controls one or both chambers of Congress.
• Definition of Gerrymandering (1 point): A definition that accurately describes gerrymandering as the manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political advantage.
• Impact of Divided Government on Legislation (2 points): An explanation of how divided government can lead to gridlock, partisan votes against presidential initiatives, and difficulty in confirming appointments. 1 point for identifying one impact, and another point for explaining it.
• Impact of Gerrymandering on Legislation (2 points): An explanation of how gerrymandering can lead to less competitive elections, less responsive representatives, and an imbalance of political power. 1 point for identifying one impact, and another point for explaining it.
• Supreme Court Case Example (2 points): Correctly identifying a relevant Supreme Court case (e.g., Shaw v. Reno or Baker v. Carr) and explaining its significance in relation to gerrymandering. 1 point for correct case, and another point for accurate explanation.

You've got this! Go get 'em! 💪