Founding Foundations
The United States is not a direct democracy; what is our official form of government?
A constitutional republic
This is the "supreme law of the land."
The Constitution
This amendment protects your right to freedom of speech, press, and religion.
The First Amendment
This 1803 case established the power of "judicial review," allowing the Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
Marbury v. Madison
Thomas Paine wrote this 1776 pamphlet to provide the rationale and justification for American independence.
Common Sense
How many Senators represent each state in the U.S. Congress?
Two
While anyone can live in the U.S., you must be a citizen to perform this specific legal duty.
Serve on a jury
This 1954 case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
Brown v. Board of Education
This principle, found in the Declaration of Independence, means that the government's power comes from the people.
Popular sovereignty (or consent of the governed)
What is the minimum age required to serve as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives?
25 years old
Influenced by the English Bill of Rights, this amendment protects citizens from being forced to quarter soldiers in their homes.
The Third Amendment
This case involved the "necessary and proper" clause regarding the state of Maryland's attempt to tax a federal bank.
McCulloch v. Maryland
This term describes the division and sharing of power between the national government and the state governments.
Federalism
The President uses this specific power to serve as a check on the legislative power of Congress.
Veto
This system ensures that the United States can provide for the "common defense."
Selective Service
In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution protects this specific right for citizens.
The right to privacy
These papers were written between 1787 and 1788 to argue for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
The Federalist Papers
This body is officially responsible for selecting the President of the United States.
The Electoral College
Which amendment, discussed in a letter by Sarah Grimke, contains the Equal Protection Clause?
The 14th Amendment
This 1963 case guaranteed that defendants have the right to an attorney, even if they cannot afford one.
Gideon v. Wainwright