SCOTUS CASES
This case ruled that "separate but equal" schools are illegal and that schools must be integrated.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
This amendment protects your "Five Freedoms": Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, and Petition.
What is the 1st Amendment?
This document officially declared that the 13 colonies were free from British rule and listed grievances against King George III.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This term describes the division of power between the National (Federal) government and State governments.
What is Federalism?
Even if a candidate wins the most individual votes across the country, they can still lose the Presidency because of this "winner-take-all" system.
What is the Electoral College?
This case said that if you cannot afford a lawyer, the government must provide one for you.
What is Gideon v. Wainwright?
This amendment officially ended slavery in the United States.
What is the 13th Amendment?
This was the first "Constitution" of the U.S., but it was very weak because it gave the federal government no power to tax.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This is a system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches to prevent abuse.
What are Checks and Balances?
This is the most common way for a "bill to die" in the House; it involves a committee chair simply refusing to schedule it for a hearing.
What is Pigeonholing? (or "Bottlenecking in Committee")
This case established "Judicial Review," which lets the Supreme Court declare laws unconstitutional.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This amendment gave women the right to vote (Suffrage).
What is the 19th Amendment?
In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argues that this type of large government is the best way to control "factions" (groups with special interests).
What is a Republic?
This is the official process of redrawing legislative district boundaries to benefit one specific political party.
What is Gerrymandering?
This is the specific constitutional process used to remove a President or Judge: the House "charges" them, and the Senate holds the trial.
What is Impeachment and Removal?
This case ruled that students do not "shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate" (the armbands case).
What is Tinker v. Des Moines?
This amendment says you have the right to remain silent so you don't testify against yourself.
What is the 5th Amendment?
This Anti-Federalist paper argued that the new Constitution gave the federal government too much power and would delete state's rights.
What is Brutus No. 1?
This term refers to the "Necessary and Proper" clause, which lets Congress stretch its powers to do its job.
What is the Elastic Clause?
While the 10th Amendment protects State powers, this specific Article VI clause ensures that federal law overrides state law when the two conflict.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This case ruled that even a "non-denominational" or voluntary prayer led by a public school is unconstitutional.
What is Engel v. Vitale?
This amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 during the Vietnam War.
What is the 26th Amendment?
Written by Martin Luther King Jr., this document argued that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws through nonviolent protest.
What is Letter from Birmingham Jail?
This is the three-way relationship between a Congressional committee, a federal agency, and an interest group.
What is an Iron Triangle?
This "Required Document" argues that a single, energetic executive is better than a group, and it's often used to justify the President's use of the "Bully Pulpit."
What is Federalist No. 70?