Constitutional Foundations
The name of the first governing document of the United States, replaced by the Constitution
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This principle divides power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
This theory emphasizes broad participation in politics by all citizens.
What is participatory democracy?
This clause allows Congress to make laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
This 1803 Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to strike down unconstitutional laws.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
1787 meeting that led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution
What is the Constitutional Convention?
The idea that government’s authority comes from the consent of the governed
What is popular sovereignty?
This theory suggests that many groups compete for influence in government, with no single group dominating.
What is pluralist democracy?
This clause establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This 1819 Supreme Court case established the principle of national supremacy and confirmed the implied powers of Congress through the Necessary and Proper Clause.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
Series of 85 essays written to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers?
Each branch of government has some ability to limit the powers of the other branches.
What are checks and balances?
This theory asserts that a small group of elites holds power, regardless of the outcome of elections.
What is elite democracy?
This clause allows Congress to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations
What is the Commerce Clause?
Fraction of Congress needed to propose an amendment AND fraction of states required to ratify an amendment
2/3 and 3/4
The plan that proposed representation in Congress based on state population, favoring large states.
What is the Virginia Plan?
The division of power between national and state governments
What is federalism?
Enlightenment philosopher most closely associated with the idea of a social contract
Who is John Locke?
States must honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states under this clause.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
This 1995 Supreme Court case of U.S. v. Lopez limited Congress's power by ruling that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded federal authority to use this clause.
What is the Commerce Clause?
Compromise that resulted in a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
What is the Great Compromise (or Connecticut Compromise)?
The principle that the government can only do what the people have given it the power to do
What is limited government?
This form of government in which elected representatives make decisions for the people is also called a republic.
What is republicanism?
This clause prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.
What is the Privileges and Immunities Clause?
These grants from the federal government are given to states for a specific purpose, often with strict conditions attached.
What are categorical grants?