Article V: Amending the Constitution

This page outlines the process for amending the US Constitution as described in Article V:

1. Proposal stage: An amendment can be proposed by Congress or by states at a special convention, requiring a 2/3 vote.
2. Ratification stage: The proposed amendment is sent to the states, requiring approval from 3/4 of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.

Understanding this process is important for grasping the flexibility and stability of the US Constitution, a key topic in AP US Government and Politics Unit 1 study guide PDF resources.

Natural Rights and Social Contract

This page discusses fundamental concepts in political theory that influenced the formation of the American government system.

Definition: Natural rights are rights that people possess inherently, independent of any government.

Definition: Popular sovereignty is the principle that the power to govern ultimately resides with the people.

Definition: The social contract is an agreement where people voluntarily give up some of their power to a government in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

These concepts are crucial to understanding the philosophical underpinnings of the AP US Government and Politics Unit 1 study guide.

Bicameral Congress

This page describes the structure of the US Congress resulting from the Great Compromise:

1. House of Representatives: People represented by population
2. Senate: Two votes per state

This bicameral structure balances the interests of both large and small states, a crucial concept in the AP US Government and Politics Unit 1 study guide answers.