Politics and Power for AP US History

02.11.25 01:51 PM - By Claire Baumgartner

One important theme in AP US History is politics and power.  Questions on the exam will ask you to analyze the decisions of political leaders.  You may be asked to describe changes in the relative power of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.  Finally, you may be asked about the relationship between the states and the federal government.


I'm a licensed teacher and professional tutor with over ten years of experience in education.  I've helped dozens of students improve their grades in their AP US History class.  This article will cover (thing) and (thing).  We'll also discuss relevant   Read on for tips you can use to improve your grades today!


Note: This post is part of a series on historical themes covered in AP US History.  You can learn more about the all of the themes in AP US History at this link.

Table of Contents

Definition

Government and Political Institutions

Politics

Beliefs About Government

Examples  ​

Definition

This theme focuses on the government and political institutions.  It also explores attempts to gain power over the actions of the government.  Finally, this theme also discusses political beliefs.  Let's explore each of these in more detail.  ​

Government and Political Institutions

This theme covers governments and related institutions.  The government is a system that controls a group of people in a specific area.  In the United States, we have a national government, 50 state governments, and thousands of local governments.  A political institution is an established practice related to the government.  Voting is an example of this type of institution.  Institutions can also refer to organizations that benefit the American people or relate to political causes.  The US Supreme Court is an example of this type of institution.  The US government and American political institutions have changed over time.  AP US History examines these changes and their impacts.  ​

Politics

Politics is the attempt to gain power and influence within the government.  Our Founding Fathers made it difficult for one person to influence the government on their own.  Political actions often require groups to form and work toward common goals.  These groups include political parties, like Democrats and Republicans.  They also include interest groups.  Labor unions and civil rights activists are examples of interest groups.  This theme examines the formation and influence of many political groups.  ​

Beliefs About Government

Finally, Americans have beliefs about their government and its actions.  One ongoing debate in US history is how much power the federal government should have.  This shaped debates in the colonial period and during the American Revolution.  Later, this same issue shaped debates about the relative power of the federal and state governments.  In the 20th century, the expansion of the executive branch reignited this controversy.  Another important debate in US history involved people's trust in their government.  Events like the Great Depression and Watergate have influenced how positively or negatively US citizens feel about their government, its leaders, and its actions.  These beliefs have developed and changed over time.  Thus, specific events shape many of these beliefs people hold about government.  This theme also addresses these changes.  ​

Examples

One of the most important events in US political history is the Constitutional Convention.  This event is covered in Unit 3.  At the Constitutional Convention, the Founding Fathers gathered to discuss flaws with the existing US government.  Ultimately, the Founding Fathers decided that a completely new government.  They wrote and approved the US Constitution.  This established many US political institutions.  These institutions include the presidency, Supreme Court, and Electoral College.

The Chautauqua

Welcome to The Chautauqua!  This is the part of the post where I feature something relevant to the post that I think you might enjoy. 

Walking With the Wind - John Lewis and Michael D'Orso

This books is an honest, compelling account of the Civil Rights Movement.  John Lewis lived an extraordinary life.  We are fortunate enough to be able to hear him recount it in his own words.  


The book begins with his childhood, recounting his family's experiences are sharecroppers.  We learn of young Lewis' powerful sympathy for the family chickens.  He discusses his leadership of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).  This position put him on the front lines of dozens of Civil Rights struggles, including the Freedom Rides and Bloody Sunday.  This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Civil Rights.


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This material is based on my interpretation of the AP US History Course and Exam Description and my experience working in education for the past decade.  The views expressed on this page are my own.  AP® and Advanced Placement® are trademarks registered and owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site.

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