Founding Principles
What are natural rights?
Rights you are born with that no government can take away - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness/Property
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Could not tax, regulate commerce, couldn't raise an army
What was the main goal of Federalism?
To keep any single part of the government from getting too powerful. Splitting power between government and states.
What is the delegate model?
Representatives act strictly as the "mouthpiece" of their constituents, voting exactly how the people back home want, even if it goes against their own personal judgement.
Which court case stated that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education
What is the Rule of Law?
No one is above the law, not even the government/president
What does Madison say about factions in Federalist No. 10
A large diverse republic is the best defense against factions because there is more diverse interests, preventing tyranny.
Why did the Founders choose Federalism?
After breaking free from a king, the Founders were afraid of a strong central government.
What is the Trustee Model?
Representatives follow their own conscience and expertise. They believe they were elected because voters trust their judgment to make the best decision for the nation, even if it is unpopular locally.
Which American civil rights activist wrote Letter from Birmingham Jail?
Martin Luther King Jr.
What is the "Social Contract?"
The idea that free people agree to give up some small freedoms to a government in exchange for the protection of their safety and rights. If a government abuses this power, the people have the right to change or overthrow it.
Why did Brutus No. 1 not support the Constitution?
Who wins if a federal law and a state law disagree?
Supremacy Clause - the federal law usually wins
What is the Elastic Clause?
Allows Congress to make laws that are "necessary and proper"
Which part of the 14th Amendment protects civil rights?
The Equal Protection Clause
What founding principle is shown when people vote in elections?
What is the main argument of Federalist No. 78?
A strong, independent judiciary is essential to protect the Constitution and limit government power.
What did McCulloch v. Maryland establish?
Congress does have the power to create a national bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause
What are Block and Categorical Grants?
Block - federal money with fewer restrictions
Categorical - federal money to states with strict rules
Which part of the 14th Amendment protects civil liberties?
The Due Process Clause
Why is republicanism considered a compromise between democracy and elite rule?
People vote (popular sovereignty), but they elect representatives to govern (republicanism).
What does Hamilton mean by an "energetic executive" in Federalist No. 70?
A president who can act quickly, decisively, and effectively to enforce laws and respond to crises.
What was decided in United States v. Lopez?
The Gun-Free Zones Act was unconstitutional because carrying a gun in a local school zone was not an economic activity that substantially affected interstate commerce.
In which court case was the term "prior restraint" used?
New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplish?
It eliminated barriers (like literacy tests) that prevented African Americans from voting.