Constitution
This states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes."
what is the Commerce clause/ Article 1, Section 8?
Is a statement of natural rights – stated government’s main job was to protect these rights; if it doesn’t change or overthrow it
Establishes a foundation for popular sovereignty - "consent of the governed"
What is the Declaration of Independence ?
Established the principle of judicial review:Strengthened the power of the Judicial branch by giving the Supreme Court the authority to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.
What is Marbury v. Madison 1803?
Struck down the restrictions on independent expenditures as a violation of the 1 st Amendment: Overturned the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold), which banned soft money: Led to record spending in the 2010 election cycle by corporations and special interests.
What is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) 2010:?
Establishment clause, assembly, petition
What is the First Amendment?
addresses the duties that states within the United States have to respect the "public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state."
What is the full faith and credit clause/ Article 4, Section 1?
This Anti-Federalist paper that expressed fears that the new federal government would be able to threaten state sovereignty and abuse its powers. Argued that the federal constitution (especially the Supremacy Clause) made state constitutions irrelevant or subordinate
What is Brutus 1?
Confirmed the right of Congress to utilize implied powers to carry out its expressed powers: Validated the supremacy of the national government over the states by declaring that states cannot interfere with or tax the legitimate activities of the federal government.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland 1819?
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hopes of winning their votes in return.
What is Pork Barrel Legislation?
Abolition of slavery
What is the 13th Amendment?
Grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.
What is the "elastic clause", Article 1, Section 8?
Published February 6, 1788 by James Madison (Publius). Explains how separation of powers and checks and balances will keep the federal government under control and prevent the abuse of power
Argues that each branch will have an incentive to make sure the others do not become tyrannical (“ambition must be made to counteract ambition,” i.e. checks and balances)
Admits that the legislative branch in the new federal government is the most powerful, but explains how bicameralism is a further protection against abuse of power
What Federalist No. 51?
Struck down state-sponsored prayer in public school: Ruled that this was an unconstitutional violation of the Establishment Clause.
What is Engle v. Vitale 1962:?
Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny …
What is Letter from Birmingham Jail by MLK, Jr?
Search and arrest
What is the Fourth Amendment?
Creates and lays out the structure of the Supreme Court.
What is US Constitution, Article 3?
Argued for the importance of federal judges/justices to have lifetime terms so that they could be insulated from politics and the pressures of public opinion (no need to be reappointed/reelected)
Pointed out that the judiciary was the least threatening of the branches as it could not control the army (“sword) or budget (“purse”) and relied on the executive to enforce its decisions
What is Federalist 78?
North Carolina creates “majority-minority” legislative districts. This plan is challenged and the Supreme Court rules that race can not be the sole factor that dictates how legislative districts are drawn.
-14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)
-15th Amendment
What is Shaw v. Reno?
-Initiate revenue bills
-Impeachment power
-Elections held every two years
What is the House of Representatives?
Women's suffrage
What is the 19th Amendment?
Sets procedure for amending the Constitution (requires action from the federal government – usually 2/3 Congress – to propose and action from the states – usually ¾ of state legislatures – to ratify)
What is Article V of the US Constitution?
Created a unicameral Congress made up of delegates from the states - could not raise an army or tax without the consent of 9 of 13 states – made the federal government weak and ineffective
What are the Articles of Confederation?
Tennessee had been using same redistricting formula for over 50 years. Question arose as to whether federal courts could intervene in cases that involve state legislative redistricting. Supreme Court decides that yes federal courts can intervene to guarantee “one man, one vote” No one voter should count more than another in a democracy. (Article III -14th Amendment (Equal Protection Clause)
What is Baker v. Carr?
The power of a government to take private property for public use; the U.S. Constitution gives national and states governments this power and requires them to provide just compensation for property so taken. (referenced in the 5th Amendment)
What is eminent domain?
18-year-old suffrage
What is 26th Amendment?