Constitutional Principles
What principle says that the government's authority comes from the people?
Popular Sovereignty
How many branches does the federal government have and what are they called?
Three: Legislative, Executive, Judicial.
Which case established the principle of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison.
Which amendment protects against unreasonable searches and requires probable cause for warrants?
Fourth Amendment.
What is republicanism?
A system where citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf.
Name the principle that divides power between national and state governments.
Federalism
What is the role of the Speaker of the House?
Brings bills to the floor for a vote and leads the House.
Which case declared that "separate but equal" in public schools is unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education.
Name two protections included in the Fifth Amendment.
No double jeopardy; right to remain silent (protection against self-incrimination); due process.
What is gerrymandering and what is one consequence of it?
Drawing district lines to favor one party; consequence: unfair representation and reduced competitiveness in elections.
Which Enlightenment thinker and his idea of natural rights influenced the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke's Natural Rights: Life, Liberty, Property
List the first two formal steps in how a bill becomes a law.
(1) Bill introduced in House or Senate. (2) Referred to committee for debate.
Gideon v. Wainwright guaranteed which right for criminal defendants?
Right to an attorney (if defendant cannot afford one).
The Sixth Amendment guarantees several trial rights—name three of them.
Speedy and public trial, right to counsel, right to confront witnesses, impartial jury, informed of charges.
What is the primary purpose of the Electoral College according to its defenders?
To protect the influence of smaller states and balance interests between large and small states.
Explain the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution—name at least two goals it lists.
Outlines goals such as justice, domestic tranquility (peace), common defense, general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty.
After both chambers approve a bill, what are the president's two main options? Use the correct terms.
Sign the bill into law or veto it (or allow it to become law without signature, pocket veto under certain conditions).
Which Supreme Court ruling allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations and unions?
Citizens United v. FEC.
Explain the Equal Protection Clause in one clear sentence.
The government must treat people equally under the law.
Name two domestic policy topics listed in the flashcards and explain briefly why they are considered domestic policy.
Healthcare reform and education policies—both involve decisions and laws that affect conditions and services inside the country.
Define "checks and balances" and give one concrete example of how one branch can limit another.
Each branch limits others; example: the president vetoes laws from Congress; Congress can override vetoes and impeach; Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.
Compare a presidential system to a parliamentary system—name one key difference in how the executive is chosen and one consequence of that difference.
Presidential: executive elected separately from legislature; Parliamentary: executive chosen by legislature and can be removed by no-confidence vote.
Consequence: Parliamentary systems often have quicker lawmaking alignment between executive and legislature; presidential systems can produce divided government.
Describe how Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board represent a change in constitutional interpretation about equality.
Plessy v. Ferguson (established "separate but equal"); Brown v. Board overturned that for public education, recognizing segregation violated equal protection.
Give two examples of ways due process or equal protection were denied to Black Americans during the Jim Crow Era.
Examples: segregated public facilities and schools; all‐white juries and denial of legal counsel; poll taxes and literacy tests (these examples denied equal protection and due process).
Explain one challenge in enforcing international law and give one reason trade agreements like NAFTA/USMCA can cause both increased trade and decreased U.S. manufacturing.
Countries prioritize sovereignty so they may ignore international rulings; trade agreements can lower trade barriers (increasing trade) but may shift manufacturing to countries with lower costs, reducing certain U.S. manufacturing jobs.