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Table of Contents
I. US Constitution
Foundations of the American Republic
46m 32s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:11
- Preamble of the United States Constitution1:38
- We the People…1:49
- Examining This2:23
- Purposes of Government4:20
- Early Draft of the Preamble4:24
- Creation of a Federalist System of Government4:38
- Establish Justice5:20
- Common Defense5:30
- General Welfare5:44
- Secure the Blessings of Liberty6:11
- Forms of Government6:34
- Anarchy6:44
- Autocracy7:04
- Absolute Monarchy7:20
- Constitutional Monarchy7:43
- Dictatorship8:28
- Oligarchy8:50
- Aristocracy9:02
- Theocracy9:09
- Democracy9:18
- Direct Democracy9:38
- Representative Democracy11:02
- British Influence11:52
- Magna Carta11:59
- Parliament13:32
- Enlightenment Philosophers15:47
- John Locke15:52
- Baron de Montesquieu17:13
- Articles of Confederation17:53
- Written by the Second Continental Congress18:01
- Lasted from 1781-178918:07
- Weak National Government18:41
- Each State is Equal with One Vote19:25
- 9 of 13 States to Pass Law19:36
- Amending the Articles19:51
- Weakness of the Articles20:16
- Congress Could Not Tax20:21
- Can't Regulate Interstate Trade or Foreign Commerce20:44
- No Executive or Judicial Branch20:58
- No Authority to Coin Money21:23
- Population of State Not Taken Into Account21:31
- 9 of 13 to Pass Law22:07
- Unanimous Consent to Amend Articles22:12
- Virginia Plan (Large State)22:57
- Bicameral Legislature23:10
- Representation Based on Population23:57
- Single Executive24:34
- Judges Chosen by Legislative Branch25:25
- New Jersey Plan (Small State)25:40
- Unicameral Legislature26:03
- Representation Equal Among States26:30
- Plural Executive26:38
- Judges Appointed for Life27:16
- Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)27:35
- Bicameral Legislature28:30
- House Elected by the People; Senate Appointed by State28:52
- One Executive29:25
- Supreme Court Appointed to Life Term32:41
- The Big Elephant in the Room33:17
- Issue of Slavery33:30
- Southern vs. Northern States34:20
- Three-Fifths Compromise35:05
- Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise35:53
- Ratification of the Constitution36:12
- Signing the Constitution36:31
- Ratify it Before Going Into Effect36:49
- Federalists Favored Ratification37:40
- Anti-federalists Opposed the Constitution38:32
- The Federalist Papers39:31
- Defended the New Government39:35
- Published Under 'Publius'39:42
- Lack of a Bill of Rights39:59
- Federalists Supported a Bill of Rights40:59
- Example 142:26
- Example 245:16
The Constitution
45m 10s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:21
- Limited Government1:48
- Belief That Government is Not All-Powerful1:50
- Enumerated Powers Given to the Federal Government2:08
- Bill of Rights Added to Ensure That National Government2:37
- Popular Sovereignty3:37
- Doctrine Rooted in the Belief That Every Human Being is Sovereign3:43
- Not a Coincidence That the Legislative Branch is the First Branch of the Government3:49
- Declaration of Independence3:56
- 'We, the People' in the Preamble Included Everyone5:02
- No Mention of Women in the Constitution5:26
- Citizens of Each State5:53
- What Was Permitted Was Not Necessarily Promoted6:20
- Wyoming Extended the Vote to Women6:36
- Separation of Powers7:19
- Three Branches: Legislative, Executive, Judiciary7:28
- If Men Were Angels Government Would Not Be Necessary8:00
- Influence of Adam Smith and The Wealth of Nations8:47
- Founding Fathers Did Not Want Power Vested in One Person or Group of People9:35
- Each Branch Has Exerted More Influence Over Different Periods of Time10:03
- Checks and Balances - Congress on President10:29
- Each Branch Can Check the Powers of the Others11:04
- Congress Can Override a President's Veto11:20
- Congress Can Impeach the President12:08
- Congress Can Refuse to Approve Presidential Appointment13:48
- Congress Can Refuse to Ratify Treaties14:29
- Congress Can Mount an Investigation14:59
- Checks and Balances - Congress on Judiciary15:16
- Congress Can Change the Number and Jurisdiction of the Lower Court15:25
- Congress Can Use the Impeachment Powers to Remove a Judge From Office15:45
- Congress Can Refuse to Approve a Person Nominated to be a Judge15:56
- Checks and Balances - President and Judiciary16:31
- President Provides These Checks16:40
- Judiciary Has These Checks on Other Branches20:13
- Federalism20:56
- Government Authority Shared by National and State Governments21:07
- Concept of 'Dual Federalism'22:48
- United States v. Lopez 199523:48
- Formal Amendment Process26:19
- 2/3 Vote Through Congress and Ratified by 3/4 of State Legislatures27:21
- 2/3 Vote Through Congress and Ratified by Special Conventions in 3/4 of the States27:58
- National Convention 2/3 Vote and Ratified by 3/4 of State Legislatures28:53
- National Convention 2/3 Vote and Ratified by 3/4 of States29:23
- Informal Amendment Process30:18
- Legislative Actions30:25
- Executive Actions30:47
- Judicial Interpretation31:17
- Custom and Usage31:29
- Election of 180033:04
- Political Parties33:19
- Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson34:21
- 12th Amendment Added35:00
- Marbury v. Madison (1803)35:22
- Adams and his Congress Created Several New Judicial Positions35:27
- 'Midnight Appointments' Were Set for the Secretary of State to Deliver36:01
- Marshall Ruled the Portion of the Judiciary Act of 1791 as Unconstitutional36:50
- Marshall Established Judicial Review37:55
- Example 138:20
- Example 240:18
- Example 342:31
The Bill of Rights, Part I
59m 54s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:13
- First Amendment - Freedom of Religion2:22
- First Amendment3:19
- Establishment Clause4:05
- Free Exercise Clause6:26
- The Establishment Clause8:04
- Engel v. Vitale (1962)8:46
- Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)12:18
- Lee v. Weisman (1992) and Santa Fe School District v. Doe (2002)14:30
- The Free Exercise Clause16:03
- Reynolds v. United States (1879)16:45
- Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)18:19
- Oregon v. Smith (1990)19:57
- Government Cannot Unfairly Target Certain Religions21:31
- Freedom of Speech22:11
- Alien and Sedition Acts22:40
- Schenck v. United States (1919)23:35
- Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)25:06
- Miller v. California (1973)25:59
- Texas v. Johnson (1989)27:50
- Freedom of Press29:14
- Near v. Minnesota (1931)29:52
- New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)30:50
- New York Times v. United States31:53
- Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988)32:32
- Freedom of Assembly and petition34:05
- Peacefully Assemble and Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances34:20
- Dejon v. Oregon (1937)34:32
- Certain Restrictions are Allowed for Facilities35:09
- Police May Disperse Demonstrations35:21
- Second Amendment35:41
- As Passed by Congress35:53
- As Ratified by the States36:54
- District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)37:37
- Review the Five Freedoms Listed in the Bill of Rights38:37
- Third Amendment39:11
- Third Amendment39:14
- Passed In Response to the 1765 Passage of the Quartering Acts39:48
- Least Cited Bill of Rights40:08
- Agree for the Implicit Right to Privacy40:19
- Fourth Amendment40:55
- Fourth Amendment40:58
- Mapp v. Ohio (1961)41:34
- Probable Cause43:19
- Fifth Amendment45:26
- Fifth Amendment45:49
- Right to a Grand Jury47:20
- Right Against Double Jeopardy48:08
- Right Against Self-Incrimination49:55
- Due Process Clause Applies to Deferral Government52:00
- Example 152:19
- Example 254:15
- Example 355:01
- Example 456:40
The Bill of Rights, Part II
34m 19s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:18
- Sixth Amendment - Public and Speedy Trial2:17
- Sixth Amendment2:24
- Barker v. Wingo (1972)3:21
- Sheppard v. Maxwell (1966)4:24
- Powell v. Alabama (1932)5:03
- Seventh Amendment5:30
- Seventh Amendment5:35
- Civil cases Are Not Heard in Federal Courts6:05
- Never Incorporated and Applied to States6:15
- Mystery Surrounding the 'Twenty Dollar' Clause7:22
- Eighth Amendment7:56
- Eighth Amendment7:59
- Inspired by Titus Oates Case9:10
- Furman v. Georgia (1972)10:41
- Miller v. Alabama (2012)11:51
- Ninth Amendment13:01
- Ninth Amendment13:06
- Roe v. Wade (1973)13:34
- Rights in the First Eight Amendments is Not an All-Encompassing List of Rights14:34
- Set of Rights Yet to be Discovered That No Constitution Can Specifically List14:40
- Tenth Amendment15:21
- Tenth Amendment15:29
- Commerce Clause Used to Justify the Use of Federal Government16:13
- United States v. Lopez16:30
- Example 119:16
- Example 220:34
- Example 323:08
- Example 426:06
Amendments XI - XIX
38m 7s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:15
- Amendment XI1:40
- Amendment Eleven2:01
- Individual from One State are Prohibited from Suing Another State2:25
- States Are Not Immune from Lawsuits Brought by its Own Citizens2:41
- Amendment XII3:05
- Amendment Twelve3:38
- Thomas Jefferson vs. Aaron Burr6:11
- Amendment XIII8:51
- Amendment Thirteen9:05
- Include Peonage, Involuntary Servitude and Forced Labor10:05
- Amendment XIV11:05
- Amendment Fourteen11:21
- Four Clauses of Amendment Fourteen12:28
- Amendment XV15:50
- Amendment Fifteen15:54
- Right to Vote Interrupted by the Supreme Court16:35
- Blacks Faced Literacy Tests and Poll Taxes17:13
- Ku Klux Klan18:44
- Supreme Court Decisions and Passage of the Voting Rights Act of 196518:57
- Amendment XVI19:39
- Amendment Sixteen19:41
- Until 1913, Tariffs and Excise Taxes Were the Primary Source of Federal Government Revenue20:41
- Direct Income Tax Permitted by the Constitution21:21
- Wesley Snipes22:21
- Amendment XVII23:00
- Amendment Seventeen23:02
- State Legislatures have the Power to Grant the Governor the Right to Appoint Senators23:28
- Governor Rod Blagojevich Attempted to Sell Obama's Vacated Seat in 200824:38
- Amendment XVIII26:00
- Amendment Eighteen26:04
- Ban the Sale and Distribution of Alcohol27:00
- Organized Crime Increased27:08
- Amendment was Repealed Through the 21st Amendment27:49
- Drinking Age: 2128:04
- Amendment XIX28:38
- Amendment Nineteen28:40
- Prohibited the Government From Denying Women the Right to Vote29:04
- Votes Granted in Wyoming, Utah, and Washington29:39
- Argument That the 14th and 15th Amendment Had Already Granted Women Suffrage was Rejected30:25
- Example 131:50
- Example 232:48
- Example 333:25
- Example 435:48
Amendments XX-XXVII
52m 17s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:11
- Amendment XX1:22
- Amendment Twenty1:51
- Shortened the 'Lame Duck' Status of Both the President and Congress3:04
- In Earlier Times, a Long Period of Time Was Necessary for the Long Trek to Washington, DC3:09
- Amendment XXII7:15
- Amendment Twenty-Two7:25
- George Washington Set a Precedent for Two Terms10:02
- Few Presidents Sought a Third Term11:34
- Lyndon Johnson13:41
- President Bill Clinton14:55
- Amendment XXIII16:55
- Amendment Twenty-Three17:01
- Residents of Washington, D.C. Has Right to Vote in Presidential Elections17:44
- Electors Give Votes to Democratic Candidate18:33
- Nonpartisan Issue18:56
- 1984: Ronald Reagan Won in a Landslide Election20:06
- Michael Jordan Amendment22:32
- Amendment XXIV23:40
- Amendment Twenty-Four23:52
- One of the Surviving Ways to Disenfranchise Black Voters24:18
- President Kennedy Wanted an Amendment as the Best Way to Avoid a Filibuster24:46
- Amendment XXV25:52
- Amendment Twenty-Five26:01
- Amendment Made it Unambiguous That the VP Became President28:38
- Amendment XXV29:32
- Tyler Precedent29:33
- Woodrow and Edith Wilson30:08
- Presidents Who Take Over Because of a Previous President's Death31:23
- Truman31:51
- Gerald Ford32:17
- Use of Section 433:01
- Amendment XXVI34:28
- Amendment Twenty-Six34:39
- Vietnam War34:54
- Old Enough to Fight and Die, Old Enough to Vote35:04
- Some States Already Permitted Ages 18-21 to Vote35:27
- Struck Down as Unconstitutional35:38
- Amendment XXVII36:38
- Amendment Twenty-Seven37:08
- Gregory Watson38:41
- Thesis Seen as Too Unrealistic40:04
- Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustment40:45
- Example 141:13
- Example 242:27
- Example 344:59
- Example 446:20
- Example 548:40
II. Political Participation
Political Culture
35m 57s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:08
- What is Political Culture?1:05
- Set of Basic Values and Beliefs About a Country or Government1:09
- In the United States1:30
- Our Political Culture Provides the Backdrop for our System of Government2:00
- America Democratic Values2:30
- Majority Rule / Minority Rights3:05
- Equality4:33
- Private Property6:20
- Individual Freedoms7:36
- Compromise8:53
- Limited Government11:10
- Political Socialization12:04
- Process by Which Citizens Acquire a Sense of Political Identity12:09
- Family Influence12:20
- Schools Teach Patriotism14:18
- Demographic Factors14:53
- Mass Media15:06
- Measuring Public Opinion15:55
- Early Polling Data in the U.S. had Self-Selecting Biases16:01
- Straw Polls16:22
- Used Car Registrations and telephone Directories to Reach People16:58
- Modern Polling17:44
- Elements of a Successful Poll18:09
- Sampling18:31
- Prepare Clear and Valid Questions19:23
- Control How the Poll is Taken21:48
- Analyzing and Reporting Results22:51
- 1948 Election23:10
- 2008 and 2012 Election Predictions25:07
- Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight.com Blog25:26
- 2008: Silver Correctly Predicted 49 of 50 States26:27
- 2012: Silver Correctly Predicted All 50 States26:59
- Sabermetrician27:27
- Example 128:30
- Example 229:54
- Example 331:14
- Example 432:37
Political Parties
39m 31s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:10
- What is a Political Party?2:20
- Voluntary Associations of People Who Seek to Control the Government2:23
- Political Parties Bring People and Government Together3:47
- Main Difference Between Interest Groups and Political Parties4:34
- Major Goal of a Political Party5:02
- Roles of Political Parties5:51
- Party in the Electorate6:09
- Party in Government7:48
- Party in Organization9:14
- Party Systems10:50
- One-Party System11:06
- Two-Party System11:50
- Multi-Party System12:54
- What Do Political Parties Actually Do?14:00
- Recruit Candidates14:21
- Nominate and Support Candidates for Office15:11
- Educate the Electorate15:17
- Organize the Government15:42
- Party Identification and Membership16:35
- No Money is Required to Associate with a Particular Party16:47
- Choices: Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or None18:03
- Factors Influencing Party Identification18:15
- Two-Party Tradition in America22:14
- Factions22:19
- George Washington Never Officially Aligned with One Political Party22:40
- Third Parties26:13
- Ideological Parties26:28
- Splinter Parties26:48
- Single Issue Parties28:28
- Protest Parties28:50
- Successful 3rd Party Candidates29:28
- Ross Perot29:34
- Received 19% of the National Vote30:34
- John Anderson Won 7% of the Popular Vote31:39
- Ralph Nader Won 3% of the Popular Vote32:00
- Ron Paul Won0.5% of the Popular Vote32:17
- Example 133:44
- Example 234:29
- Example 336:33
- Example 438:23
Elections & Campaigns
57m 11s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:09
- Forms of Political Participation1:36
- Voting in Elections2:31
- Discussing Politics and Attending Political Meetings2:39
- Forming Interest Groups2:53
- Contacting Public Officials3:28
- Campaigning4:59
- Contributing Money6:34
- Running for Office7:06
- Protesting Government Decisions7:58
- Expansion of Suffrage8:15
- Suffrage is the Right to Vote8:19
- Voting Rights Act of 196510:11
- Low Voter Turnout12:09
- Expansion of the Electorate (26th Amendment)12:16
- Mistrust of Government and Lack of Perceived Differences Between Candidates14:02
- Lack of Political Efficacy15:10
- Difficulty of Registration Process15:28
- Who Votes?17:12
- Education17:32
- Age18:24
- Gender19:04
- Religion19:35
- Marital Status20:05
- Union or Community Membership20:17
- Geography20:35
- Types of Elections21:35
- Primary Elections21:41
- Closed Primary22:26
- Open Primary23:46
- Blanket Primary24:20
- Top-Two Primary24:42
- Presidential Elections27:16
- Every Four Years27:21
- Not Uncommon for the Political Party of the President to Lose Seats28:25
- Road to the White House29:44
- Exploration30:06
- Announcement32:53
- Presidential Primaries and Caucus33:38
- Nominating Conventions34:53
- Running to the Center39:49
- Campaigning and the General Election39:54
- Choosing a VP Candidate42:11
- Balancing the Ticket42:32
- 1960: John F. Kennedy Chose Lyndon Johnson42:46
- 1992: Bill Clinton Chose Al Gore43:24
- 2008: Obama Chose Joe Biden43:51
- 2012: Romney Chose Paul Ryan44:47
- The Electoral College46:21
- Each State Has a Number of Electors Equal to its Senators and House Members46:30
- Total of 538 Electors Who Vote for the President46:44
- Faithless Electors47:52
- George Bush Won 271-26648:00
- Example 150:46
- Example 251:51
- Example 352:30
- Example 453:26
- Example 554:36
- Example 655:29
Interest Groups & Mass Media
47m 58s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:07
- Functions of Interest Groups1:37
- Factions1:48
- Raise Awareness and Stimulate Interest in Public Affairs3:09
- Link Between Members and Government4:27
- Provide Information to the Government4:55
- Provide Channels for Political Participation5:23
- Economic Interest Groups5:59
- Labor Groups Protect the Interests of Organized Labor6:18
- Business Groups Promote Business Interest6:43
- Professional Groups Promote Interest of Their Particular Profession7:15
- Other Interest Groups8:05
- Interest Group Strategies10:38
- Influencing Elections11:09
- Lobbying12:36
- Litigation13:11
- Going Public13:43
- Political Action Committees14:35
- Federal Law Regulates PACS14:45
- Individuals Limited to Contributing $5k to PACS15:04
- PACS May Contribute $5k to One Candidate per election Cycle15:34
- PACS May Make Unlimited Expenditures16:13
- Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission16:51
- Supreme Court Overturned Sections of the Campaign Reform Act of 200217:05
- Citizens United Wanted to Air Hillary: The Movie17:45
- Lower Court Held That It Violated McCain-Feingold's Restriction TV Broadcasts18:41
- Supreme Court Agreed It's Unconstitutional to Ban Free Speech19:12
- Super PAC20:06
- Citizens United and Speechnow.org v. FEC20:15
- Independent-Expenditure Only Committees20:43
- Not Allowed to Coordinate Directly with Candidates or Political Parties21:35
- Restore Our Future vs. Winning Our Future23:32
- Mass Media24:34
- Communication That Transmit Information to the General Public24:45
- Only Linkage Mechanism That Specializes in Communication24:53
- Media Roles26:14
- Media as Gatekeepers28:44
- Media Dictates What Gets News Coverage28:49
- Horse Race Journalism30:07
- Requirement for Presidential Candidates to Appear on Saturday Night Live31:45
- Media and the President35:01
- Washington DC has the Largest Press Corps35:08
- Access to the President35:50
- Some Ways Officials Can Leak Information36:37
- Media Bias38:22
- Conservative Media Outlets38:50
- Liberal Media Outlets39:12
- CNN40:37
- CSPAN41:07
- Example 142:17
- Example 244:10
- Example 345:00
- Example 445:49
III. Institutions of National Government
Legislative Branch
54m 41s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:14
- Bicameral Legislature1:33
- House of Representatives3:01
- Senate6:44
- Organization of Congress13:07
- Two Houses Meet for Two Years13:14
- President May Call Special Sessions in Case of National Emergency14:47
- Apportionment15:21
- Reapportionment15:28
- Gerrymandering16:16
- Incumbency Effect17:59
- Tendency of Those Already Holding Office to Win Reelection18:09
- Name Recognition21:38
- Casework for Constituents21:57
- Franking Privilege23:16
- Other Incumbency Advantages24:02
- More Visible to Constituents24:40
- Fund-Raising Abilities24:48
- Experience in Campaigning26:04
- Voting Record26:25
- 2012 House Election: Ed Royce vs. Jay Chen27:10
- Ed Royce Defeated Challenger Jay Chen28:31
- Republican Registration Advantage and Incumbency33:38
- House of Representatives Leadership37:21
- Speaker of the House is the Presiding Officer37:26
- Majority and Minority Leaders38:28
- Whips Helps Floor Leader by Directing Party Members in Voting40:15
- Senate Leadership42:01
- Vice President is the Presiding Officer of the Senate42:09
- President Pro Tempore43:56
- Senate Majority Leader and Minority Leader Act as a Spokesperson44:43
- Whips45:24
- No House Equivalent of Speaker As Individual Senators45:37
- Example 146:13
- Example 247:09
- Example 348:11
- Example 451:01
- Example 553:42
The Legislative Process
56m 36s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:10
- The Committee System2:11
- Committee Chairpersons3:24
- Standing Committee5:00
- Select Committee6:52
- Conference Committee7:51
- Exclusive Committees8:51
- House Committee on Appropriations9:44
- Rules Committee10:23
- Committee of Ways and Means11:24
- Delegate vs. Trustee12:06
- Congress as Delegate12:55
- Congress as Trustee14:46
- Example17:19
- Membership Privileges18:18
- Allowance for Office and Staff18:45
- Travel Allowance19:27
- Immunity from Arrest19:37
- Immunity from Libel or Slander Suits21:17
- Legislative Powers22:54
- Expressed Powers23:07
- Implied Powers24:07
- Non-Legislative Powers28:16
- House Selects President28:18
- Senate Chooses Vice President28:51
- Congress Can Propose Amendments29:57
- Impeachment Powers30:17
- Senate Approves Presidential Appointments32:36
- How a Bill Becomes a Law: House33:27
- Bill is Introduced, Numbered, and Assigned to a Committee33:39
- Bill is Returned to Committee34:07
- If Approved, the Rules Committee Sets Terms of Debate for the Bill34:16
- Bill is Debated by the House34:23
- Vote's Taken and Sent to Senate if Passed34:30
- How a Bill Becomes a Law: Senate35:12
- Bill is Introduced, Numbered, and Assigned to a Committee35:16
- Bill May be Assigned to a Subcommittee Before Returned to Committee35:26
- No Rules Committee Exists in Senate35:38
- If Approved36:42
- Both House Vote and Then the President Can Sign the Bill37:31
- Legislative Tactics39:33
- Filibuster Cloture40:24
- Pork Barrel Legislation43:36
- Logrolling and Riders44:25
- Example 146:19
- Example 246:49
- Example 348:50
- Example 450:17
- Example 551:39
The American Presidency
59m 7s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:11
- Constitutional Origins of the Presidency0:56
- Montesquieu and Locke1:00
- Debate Over Single vs. Plural Executive2:03
- Requirements2:47
- Informal Requirements of the Presidency5:55
- Political or Military Experience6:07
- Married13:28
- White Male14:12
- Protestant15:27
- Term and Succession17:19
- Four-Year Term17:21
- The Death or Incapacitation of the President20:34
- 25th Amendment23:02
- Impeachment and Removal24:18
- Reasons for Impeachment24:25
- House Impeaches, Senate Convicts25:28
- Executive Powers26:14
- Enforces Laws, Treaties, and Court Decisions26:20
- Issues Executive Orders to Carry Out Policies26:28
- Appoints and Removes Officials27:36
- Assumes Emergency Powers30:31
- Presides Over the Cabinet and Executive Branch30:52
- Legislative Powers31:02
- Annual State of the Union Message31:06
- Annual Budget Reports31:41
- Signs or Vetoes Bills31:46
- Proposes legislation and Uses the Power of the Bully Pulpit32:16
- Special Session of Congress32:48
- Diplomatic and Military Powers34:06
- Appoints Ambassadors34:10
- Negotiates Treaties34:51
- Accords Diplomatic Recognition to Foreign Gov35:14
- Receives Foreign Dignitaries35:30
- Commander-in-Chief35:34
- Final Decision-Making Authority36:00
- Judicial and Party Powers36:38
- Appoints Members of the Federal Judiciary36:42
- Grants Reprieves, Pardons, and Amnesty37:28
- Recognized Leader of the Party40:08
- Chooses Vice Presidential Nominee40:52
- Helps Members Get Elected41:04
- Appoints Party Members to Government Positions42:46
- Limitations on Presidential Powers43:12
- Overriding Presidential Vetoes43:31
- Power of the Purse43:37
- Power of Impeachment44:31
- Approval Powers Over Appointments44:36
- War Powers Act44:44
- President Lack the Ability to Utilize the Line-Item Veto46:41
- Example 147:59
- Example 249:18
- Example 349:45
- Example 451:39
- Example 555:27
The Presidency & the Bureaucracy
43m 51s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:07
- The Bureaucracy0:52
- Cabinet Departments2:06
- Independent Executive Agency3:56
- Independent Regulatory Agency4:17
- Government Corporations5:20
- Characteristics of the American Bureaucracy6:11
- Political Authority6:16
- Main Source of Bureaucratic Power7:31
- Influences on Federal Bureaucracy9:18
- Executive Influences9:49
- Congressional Influences10:31
- Iron Triangles11:44
- The Executive Office of the President (EOP)16:12
- White House Office18:19
- National Security Council19:15
- Office of Management and Budget20:04
- Key Cabinet Departments21:22
- State21:46
- Treasury23:48
- Defense26:44
- Other Executive Departments29:12
- Interior29:16
- Justice29:24
- 15 Other Departments29:33
- Problems with Bureaucracy34:01
- Red Tape34:10
- Easier to Block Action Than to Take Action34:51
- Bureaucrats are Difficult to Fire35:20
- Example 136:32
- Example 237:18
- Example 338:52
- Example 440:13
- Example 542:31
The National Judiciary
45m 30s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:07
- The Federal Court System1:08
- Original Jurisdiction2:25
- Appellate Jurisdiction2:59
- Concurrent Jurisdiction3:28
- Structure of the Judicial System3:51
- District Courts4:20
- Courts of Appeal5:10
- Supreme Court6:15
- Judicial Selection6:59
- No Formal Qualifications7:02
- Life Term8:32
- Removed Through Impeachment and Conviction8:47
- President Consults Senators Prior to Making District Court Appointments9:07
- Supreme Court11:31
- Party Affiliation14:48
- Race, Gender, Religion, Region16:33
- Judicial Experience17:24
- Graduated from 'Big-Name' School18:30
- Current Supreme Court Justices19:23
- Chief Justice John Roberts19:41
- Antonin Scalia21:43
- Anthony Kennedy21:50
- Clarence Thomas22:27
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg22:32
- Stephen Breyer22:44
- Samuel J. Alito22:48
- Sonia Sotomayor22:49
- Elena Kagan24:32
- The Supreme Court at Work25:25
- Only a Few Hundred Cases are Heard25:29
- Rule of 428:02
- Writ of Certiorari28:22
- Majority, Concurring, and Dissenting Opinions30:21
- Majority Opinion30:26
- Concurring Opinion31:06
- Dissenting Opinion31:40
- Courts as Policymakers32:59
- The Warren Court33:21
- The Burger Court34:38
- The Rehnquist and Roberts Courts35:40
- Example 136:54
- Example 237:38
- Example 338:26
- Example 440:15
- Example 544:23
IV. Public Policy
Public Policy
52m 3s
- Intro0:00
- Lesson Overview0:10
- Domestic Policy2:12
- Crime Prevention2:20
- Education3:49
- Obamacare7:00
- Affordable Care Act (ACA)8:56
- Constitutionality of ACA's Individual Mandate12:24
- Social Welfare14:37
- Public Attitude Toward Government Involvement Fighting Against Economic Downturns and Poverty14:46
- Social Security Act of 193516:12
- Reagan Reduced Benefits and Effectively Used Rhetoric Decrying 'Big Government'16:43
- Bill Clinton Ended Welfare As We Know it and Replace AFDC to TANF17:36
- Economic Policy19:29
- Government Raises Revenue Through a Variety of Taxes20:35
- Individual Income Tax21:33
- Federal Reserve Board Controls Monetary Policy Through the Federal Open Market Committee23:31
- Fed Chairman Exerts a lot of Power in His Ability to Implement Monetary Policy as Opposed to Fiscal Policy24:29
- Mandatory and Discretionary Spending28:30
- Mandatory Spending28:46
- Discretionary Spending33:54
- Social Security Reform34:33
- Raise Social Security Taxes35:27
- Reduce Benefits to Current Retirees37:23
- Raise the Retirement Age39:24
- The Federal Budget41:29
- Fiscal Year41:38
- Office of Management and Budget41:47
- Congress Debates with the Congressional Budget Office Providing Economic Data42:40
- Congress Sends Appropriations Bills for Approval43:19
- If No Budget, Government Shuts Down43:51
- Example 144:56
- Example 246:04
- Example 346:38
- Example 448:48
- Example 550:16
V. AP Test
AP Practice Exam: Free Response, 2012
50m 53s
- Intro0:00
- Free Response 10:11
- Free Response 212:01
- Free Response 325:10
- Free Response 440:04
AP Practice Exam: Free Response, 2013
42m 41s
- Intro0:00
- Free Response 10:11
- Free Response 212:45
- Free Response 322:09
- Free Response 431:46
AP Practice Exam: Multiple Choice
59m 31s
- Intro0:00
- Multiple Choice 10:19
- Multiple Choice 22:50
- Multiple Choice 35:44
- Multiple Choice 46:59
- Multiple Choice 58:41
- Multiple Choice 610:35
- Multiple Choice 714:18
- Multiple Choice 815:54
- Multiple Choice 922:46
- Multiple Choice 1022:45
- Multiple Choice 1128:08
- Multiple Choice 1229:48
- Multiple Choice 1333:31
- Multiple Choice 1434:58
- Multiple Choice 1536:51
- Multiple Choice 1638:52
- Multiple Choice 1742:13
- Multiple Choice 1843:51
- Multiple Choice 1947:52
- Multiple Choice 2049:51
- Multiple Choice 2152:14
- Multiple Choice 2253:49
- Multiple Choice 2356:28
- Multiple Choice 2457:02
- Multiple Choice 2557:53
1999 Released AP Practice Exam: Full-Length Multiple Choice, Part I
1h 2m 4s
- Intro0:00
- Multiple Choice 10:19
- Multiple Choice 22:16
- Multiple Choice 35:22
- Multiple Choice 47:16
- Multiple Choice 512:15
- Multiple Choice 614:58
- Multiple Choice 716:53
- Multiple Choice 818:35
- Multiple Choice 920:02
- Multiple Choice 1022:51
- Multiple Choice 1124:14
- Multiple Choice 1225:06
- Multiple Choice 1329:07
- Multiple Choice 1430:48
- Multiple Choice 1532:32
- Multiple Choice 1634:07
- Multiple Choice 1736:38
- Multiple Choice 1837:40
- Multiple Choice 1939:08
- Multiple Choice 2040:55
- Multiple Choice 2142:58
- Multiple Choice 2243:43
- Multiple Choice 2345:47
- Multiple Choice 2446:38
- Multiple Choice 2549:26
- Multiple Choice 2651:33
- Multiple Choice 2753:49
- Multiple Choice 2855:00
- Multiple Choice 2957:06
- Multiple Choice 3059:54
1999 Released AP Practice Exam: Full-Length Multiple Choice, Part II
53m 11s
- Intro0:00
- Multiple Choice 310:14
- Multiple Choice 322:00
- Multiple Choice 333:10
- Multiple Choice 344:39
- Multiple Choice 357:26
- Multiple Choice 369:05
- Multiple Choice 3710:42
- Multiple Choice 3812:16
- Multiple Choice 3914:03
- Multiple Choice 4015:18
- Multiple Choice 4117:06
- Multiple Choice 4218:36
- Multiple Choice 4320:45
- Multiple Choice 4422:01
- Multiple Choice 4523:46
- Multiple Choice 4624:40
- Multiple Choice 4725:49
- Multiple Choice 4827:18
- Multiple Choice 4928:57
- Multiple Choice 5030:57
- Multiple Choice 5133:13
- Multiple Choice 5235:16
- Multiple Choice 5337:13
- Multiple Choice 5438:48
- Multiple Choice 5540:54
- Multiple Choice 5642:13
- Multiple Choice 5744:03
- Multiple Choice 5846:25
- Multiple Choice 5947:58
- Multiple Choice 6049:52
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For more information, please see full course syllabus of AP US Government
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1 answer
Sat Sep 16, 2017 11:35 PM
Post by Kate Liu on September 16, 2017
Why is it that if the 20th is on a Sunday, the President must have the public ceremony the next day?