Constitution
Federalism
Foundational Documents
Court Cases
Miscellaneous, but Essential
100
Term used to describe powers shared by the national and state governments.
What are concurrent powers?
100
Terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants.
What is a mandate?
100

Martin Luther King Jr. used this document to argue that "justice too long delayed is justice denied" and to defend nonviolent protest.

What is Letter from a Birmingham Jail?

100

This case used the Supremacy Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause to prevent states from taxing a federal bank.

What is McCulloch v. Maryland?

100

This three-way alliance consists of a congressional committee, an interest group, and a bureaucratic agency.

What is an Iron Triangle

200

Known as the "elastic clause" in the Constitution.

What is the Necessary and Proper clause?

200
Type of federal grant for a specific purpose.
What is a categorical grant?
200

This document argued that a powerful central government would eventually strip the states of their liberty and "absorb" their power.

What is Brutus I

200

This case involved political free speech in schools.

What is Tinker v. Des Moines School District?

200

To end a filibuster in the Senate, 60 members must vote for this motion

What is Cloture?

300
This uprising of Revolutionary War veterans brought attention to several weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.
What is Shays's Rebellion?
300
This concept of federalism views the national and state governments as collaborating to solve common problems.
What is cooperative federalism?
300

Madison used this document to argue that "ambition must be made to counteract ambition" through checks and balances.

What is Federalist 51?

300

This "redistricting" case established the principle of "one person, one vote" and the idea that the Court could hear political cases.

What is Baker v. Carr?

300

This term describes the process by which the Bill of Rights is applied to the states on a case-by-case basis via the 14th Amendment.

What is Selective Incorporation?

400

This constitutional process requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

What is the Amendment Process (Article V)?

400
Landmark case that held a national ban on guns in a school zone had violated the commerce clause.
What is U.S. v. Lopez (1995)?
400

Alexander Hamilton argued in this document that a "feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government."

What is Federalist 70?

400
This landmark case's majority opinion created the "clear and present danger test" to analyze future free speech cases.
What is Schenck v. United States (1919)?
400

A period when a significant shift occurs in the coalitions of national political parties.

What is a realignment (or critical election)?

500

Name the part of the Constitution that establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law when the two conflict.

What is the Supremacy Clause (Article VI)?

500

This law required states to allow citizens to register to vote at the DMV and increased voter registration dramatically.

What is the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Law)?

500

Part of the Constitution that requires states to honor legal documents issued in other states.

What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause (Article IV)?

500

This case ruled that the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause prohibits states from drawing districts based solely on race.

What is Shaw v. Reno?

500

This Latin term refers to the legal principle of "let the decision stand," emphasizing the importance of precedent.

What is Stare Decisis?

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