Foundations of Democracy
This principle divides government among three branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
What is separation of powers?
Article 1 of the Constitution establishes this branch, whose main role is making laws.
What is the Legislative Branch?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution collectively protect individuals freedoms. These 10 amendments are referred to as this.
What is The Bill of Rights?
This event marks the official start of the general election campaign and includes the formal nomination of a party's presidential candidate.
What is the national party convention?
This early governing document created a weak national government that lacked the power to tax or regulate trade.
What is The Articles of Confederation?
This unelected system of agencies and departments carries out laws and policies for the executive branch.
What is the bureaucracy?
This clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.
What is the Establishment Clause?
These type of states are highly competitive in elections and often determine presidential outcomes.
What are swing states?
This part of the Constitution begins with "We the People" and explains the goals of the government.
What is The Preamble?
This term describes Congress's two-house structure consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What is bicameral?
This 1954 Supreme Court case ended racial segregation in public schools.
What is Brown vs. Board of Education?
This term describes the process by which interest groups influence policy through direct contact with lawmakers.
What is lobbying?
This group demanded a written guarantee of individual freedoms before supporting ratification.
Who are the Anti Federalits?
These types of powers of the President are not written in the Constitution but come from influence, tradition, and public support.
What are informal powers?
This legal concept protects individuals from being tried twice for the same crime.
What is double jeopardy?
This process allows voters to choose party nominees before the general election.
What are primaries and caucuses?
This system divides power between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
Judicial review, the power to declare laws unconstitutional, was established by this Supreme Court case.
What is Marbury vs. Madison?
This ruling determined that student speech can only be restricted if it substantially disrupts the learning environment.
What is Tinker vs. Des Moines?
This body formally selects the president, even though citizens vote indirectly.
What is the Electoral College?