Clauses
Congress creates a national bank even though the Constitution does not explicitly mention banks.
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
This amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
This case established the principle of judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This principle means government power comes from the people.
What is popular sovereignty?
These organizations connect people to government by nominating candidates and organizing elections.
What are political parties?
A state refuses to follow a federal environmental law, claiming its own law should take priority.
Supremacy Clause
This amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
This principle divides power between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
These groups seek to influence public policy but do not run candidates for office.
What are interest groups?
A public school requires students to participate in a daily prayer.
Establishment Clause
This amendment requires that individuals be informed of their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
What is the Fifth Amendment?
This case protected symbolic speech by students wearing armbands in protest.
What is Tinker v. Des Moines?
This principle prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
What is checks and balances?
This linkage institution informs the public about political issues and helps shape public opinion.
What is the media?
Congress passes a law regulating the amount of wheat a farmer can grow, even if it is for personal use.
Commerce Clause
This amendment has been used to apply most of the Bill of Rights to the states through the process of selective incorporation.
What is the Fourteenth Amendment?
This case upheld Congress’s use of implied powers to create a national bank.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
This principle ensures laws apply equally to all people.
What is rule of law?
This process allows citizens to directly choose their leaders and express their preferences.
What are elections?
A state draws oddly shaped voting districts that dilute the voting power of a racial group.
Equal Protection Clause
This amendment has two clauses that are often in tension: one prevents the government from establishing religion, while the other protects individuals’ rights to practice their faith.
What is the First Amendment?
This case ruled that racially gerrymandered districts violate the Equal Protection Clause.
What is Shaw v. Reno?
This principle divides power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
What is separation of powers?
This activity, often organized by interest groups, involves contacting government officials to influence policy decisions.
What is lobbying?