Foundations of Democracy
Define federalism
A national government that shares power with state governments
Name two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
no power to tax, no power to draft an army, no uniform currency, making amendment required unanimous vote and passing any law was 9/13 states (2/3 vote)
What ratio of votes must a proposed amendment receive in Congress before it is sent to the states for ratification?
2/3
Congress has the authority to pass all laws needed to execute its explicitly granted constitutional powers
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
This amendment gave women the right to vote
19th Amendment
Enlightenment philosopher who promoted the rights to life, liberty, and property, eventually inspiring Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence
John Locke
Those who supported a strong national government
Federalists
What is an informal amendment? Provide an example
SCOTUS decision, general law, presidential action (treaty, executive orders), customs (President's Cabinet, etc.)
This SCOTUS declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional
Brown v. Board of Education
This amendment outlawed slavery
13th Amendment
What is republicanism?
A government by elected representatives
What is the 3/5 Compromise?
Only 3/5 of the slave population counted towards a state's population for congressional representation; states with bigger populations had to pay more in taxes
Provide the number of states and the ratio. How many states must approve of a proposed amendment before it becomes ratified?
3/4 states (75%) = 38/50 states
This clause gives Congress the power to regulate trade with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native tribes
The Commerce Clause
This amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, peaceful assembly, and protest
1st Amendment
What is the democratic principle that means, "Government is not all-powerful, there are boundaries"
Limited Government
Which armed uprising of indebted farmers and Revolutionary War veterans exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Shay's Rebellion
What is one check of power the President has over Congress?
They may veto legislation
This SCOTUS case that upheld judicial review
Marbury v. Madison (judicial review allows SCOTUS to determine the constitutionality of something; SCOTUS has power)
This amendment eliminated the poll tax
24th Amendment
The unspoken arrangement that the government must be by consent of the people, otherwise the people have the right to revolt
the Social Contract
What is the Great Compromise?
Bicameral legislature: a House of Representatives with congressional votes by population and a Senate with a set number of votes per state
How many states were required to ratify the original Constitution?
9
This clause requires states to treat everyone within their jurisdiction equally under the law
Equal Protection Clause
This amendment states that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states and the people
10th Amendment