Amendments and Rights
Foundational Ideas
Structures of Government 1
Structures of Government 2
Supreme Court Cases
The Constitution
Random Vocab
100

This document outlines what Americans are entitled to and what they are owed. It is also the first ten changes to the United States Constitution 

The Bill of Rights 

100
This is the theory that holds that people give up certain rights and have to do certain duties in exchange for protection and services from the government 

The social contract theory 

100

This is the system in which power is separated and shared between the national, state, and local governments 

federalism

100
This power of the presidency ensures that they can enact a policy without Congressional approval (even if it isn't an emergency)
Executive orders
100
This court case ended segregation in American schools 

Brown v Board of Education 

100

What did the Connecticut Compromise do exactly? 

-solved the debate between states with large populations and small populations over how the legislative branch would distribute representation 

-created a bicameral congress (a congress with two chambers)

-created the House of representatives which allotted representation based on population 

-created the Senate which gave every state an equal amount of representation

100

This is the term for a system of government in which the citizens hold the power and government has certain limits on its authority 

Democracy

200

This amendment protects the right to bear arms 

The Second Amendment

200

This is a form of government in which people select others to speak for them and make decisions for them 

Representative Democracy (or a Republic)

200

This is the role of the judicial branch 

to interpret or evaluate the law 

200
How can Congress check the judicial branch? 
Options: 

-Senate approves presidential appointments to the courts

-Congress can investigate and/or impeach judges and Supreme Court members


200

This court case ensured that you have a right to know why you are being charged with a crime and that you need to be informed of your rights upon arrest 

Miranda v Arizona

200

This group advocated for a strong central government, presidency, and court system 

 Federalists 

200
This term refers to having empathy and wisdom to know that assisting others and helping them solve their problems benefits everyone in society

Civic reciprocity 

300

This is the right (not amendment) that ensures people have a fair legal process if they are accused of a crime 

Due Process

300

This is the idea that government should have a "cap" and a set of rules about what they are allowed to do

Limited government

300
What is the length of the term of a House Representative 

2 years

300

The Secretary of State is part of what branch of government? 

Executive branch

(they are members of the Cabinet)

300

This court case created the concept of "judicial review" 

Marbury v Madison

300

Also known as the necessary and proper clause- this gives Congress the ability to pass laws and make decisions on topics even if they aren't mentioned in the constitution

the "elastic clause"

300

A course or principle of action carried out by a government. 

Also can be described as a collection of ideas, rules, principles and laws that a government or administration might be choosing to follow 

Policy

400

This amendment guarantees the right to a jury in civil trials 

Amendment 7

400

This is the idea that policies should be in the interest of everyone and that everyone benefits when people participates in government and their community 

The common good
400
After a bill is introduced on the House or Senate floor, what must happen before there is a vote or debate on the bill?

They must break into committees and suggest amendments 

400
What is a pocket veto?

This allows the president to leave a bill unsigned by waiting until Congress goes on break (recess) and therefore can avoid Congress's 2/3 override 

400

This court case ensured that people have a right to a lawyer even if they can't afford one 

Giddeon v Wainright 

400

This amendment creates the Constitutional basis for federalism 

Amendment X

400

To sign or give formal approval of something 

Ratify

500

This amendment ensures that you are not unfairly punished for a crime or have to pay excessive bail 

Amendment 8

500

This document was signed in 1215 and created a set of rules that the king of England must follow if he is going to be in charge 

The Magna Carta 
500

What is the total number of electors that are available in the electoral college?

538

House (435) + Senate (100) + D.C. (3) = 538

500
A group that has similar values and works together to win in a political race and helps raise money for candidates is called what? 

a political party 

500

This court case created the exclusionary rule in which evidence that is obtained illegally cannot be used against a defendant in a trial 

Mapp v Ohio

500
This clause ensures that federal laws generally take precedence (are more important) than state and local laws 

the supremacy clause 

500

a tool used to classify something, or suggest that it can be classified, in terms of its position on a scale between two extreme or opposite points 

Spectrum

600
What is "double jeopardy" and what amendment protects it?

-being tried for the EXACT same crime twice 

-Amendment V

600

What are natural rights? 

Which philosopher came up with the idea?

-rights that belong to everyone the second they are born no matter who they are 

-John Locke

600

What is an appeal? 

Why might someone seek an appeal? 

-a challenge to a previous legal decision in order to get a new trial in a higher court 

-someone would get an appeal if they feel like their due process rights were violated as a defendant 

600

Why are states often called "laboratories of democracy?" 

What is a potential risk of the system that creates these "laboratories"?

-states are called this because federalism allows them to create policies outside of the federal government's control. they can "experiment" with different laws/policies 

-a risk of this system (federalism) is that states may enact policies that take away certain rights and the federal government has only limited authority to stop them

600
A) This court case established the idea that "just because something is offensive or disliked, doesn't mean that it isn't protected speech and that protected speech includes stuff that isn't just words" 


B) Why does this not include yelling "fire" in a crowded movie theater?

1) Texas v Johnson (the flag burning case)

2) The speech can't cause immediate harm to the people around you. Offensive and unsafe are not the same thing. Yelling fire would cause panic and potential loss of life. 

600

What is judicial review? 

How does it work?

-process in which SC evaluates constituationality of laws 

-cases arrive at the S.C. and the supreme court administers an opinion and a decision

600

What is the purpose of a treaty? 

Who is exclusively allowed to negotiate treaties? Who approves them?

-to make a fair aggreement between two or more countries 

-the executive branch. congress approves them

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