Foundational Principles
A mayor ignores a court ruling and continues enforcing an unconstitutional policy.
What principle of government is being violated?
Rule of Law
A plan for government that created a weak central authority and strong states
What are the Articles of Confederation?
A state sets its own education standards.
What type of power is this?
Reserved Powers
Congress passes a law, but the president refuses to sign it
What action is this?
Veto
A person is forced to testify against themselves in court
Which amendment applies?
5th
Citizens vote out a leader who abused power.
What principle is being demonstrated?
Popular Sovereignty
Delegates feared giving Congress power to tax because of past experiences with this country
Great Britain
Congress creates a national bank even though it is not listed in the Constitution.
What type of power is being used here?
Implied powers
The president carries out and enforces laws passed by Congress.
What role or hat of the president is being described?
Chief Executive
A court case establishes that laws can be declared unconstitutional
What case is this?
Marbury v Madison
A government claims authority because people consented to be governed, even if they disagree with current laws.
What concept explains this?
One group supported ratification without a Bill of Rights; the other demanded it
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
A conflict arises between a state law and a federal law, and the federal law wins.
What principle applies here?
Supremacy Clause
A president expands power during wartime without direct congressional approval
What concept is being tested?
Executive power
A law allows segregation under “separate but equal” What case established this?
Plessy v Ferguson
A leader argues that because they were elected, they are not bound by certain laws.
Which foundational principle does this contradict?
Rule of Law
A state refuses to ratify the Constitution unless protections for speech and religious freedom.
What political compromise happened because of this?
Addition of the Bill of Rights
The federal government passes a law that all states must follow, but a state disagrees and refuses to follow it.
What constitutional principle determines which law wins?
Supremacy Clause
The Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional
What power is being used?
Judicial Review
The government attempts to keep someone imprisoned until they get around to the trial.
What amendment is being violated
6th
Explain how rule of law and limited government work together in a democracy.
Rule of law ensures laws apply equally; limited government restricts power—together they prevent tyranny
Explain how the Constitution directly addressed TWO major weaknesses of the Articles
Created power to tax and enforce laws; added executive and judicial branches
Why might states want to keep powers like education or local laws instead of giving them to the federal government?
Because states can better address local needs, maintain control, and reflect the will of their citizens
Explain how checks and balances prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Give an example
Each branch has powers to limit others (veto, override, judicial review, etc.)
Explain the long-term impact of judicial review on the balance of power in government
It gives courts the final say on constitutionality, strengthening judicial influence