Foundation of American Government
This Enlightenment idea states that people are born with life, liberty, and property that government must protect.
Natural Rights
This part of the Constitution protects accused individuals from excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishment.
8th Amendment
This branch interprets laws and determines constitutionality.
Judicial Branch
This body allocates each state a number of votes based on its representation in Congress.
Electoral College
A defined population, territory, government, and sovereignty are required for this political entity.
This term means that the authority of government comes from the people themselves.
Popular Sovereignty
This civic right allows citizens to directly influence government outcomes by choosing leaders and policies.
Voting
This principle divides the responsibilities of government into three separate branches.
Separation of Powers
This district receives three electoral votes despite not being a state.
Washington D.C
This principle means that everyone must follow the law, including government officials.
Rule of Law
This early structure of government created a weak national government that could not tax or enforce laws.
Articles of Confederation
This clause establishes federal law as the highest law of the land when conflicts arise with state laws.
Supremacy Clause
These powers are listed directly in the Constitution and include things like declaring war.
Expressed Powers
Jury duty and staying informed are examples of these expectations of citizens.
Civil Responsibilities
This principle limits government by ensuring each branch can restrain the others.
Checks and Balances
This power allows the Supreme Court to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional.
Judicial Review
These amendments expanded voting rights to African Americans, women, and 18-year-olds.
15th, 16th, 26th
Congress uses these powers—derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause—to carry out expressed powers.
Implied Powers
These requirements—citizenship, age, and residency—are needed to participate in this national civic process.
Voting in Federal Election
This Enlightenment concept describes an agreement in which people give up some freedoms in exchange for government protection.
The Social Contract
These writings warned that without a Bill of Rights, the national government would become too powerful
Anti-Federalist Papers
This amendment moved inauguration dates to reduce the “lame-duck” period for outgoing officials.
20th Amendment
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and one based on equal representation.
The Great Compromise
This term describes how people today show consent of the governed—for example, by voting in elections.
Democratic Participation
This is the primary purpose of government in a democracy and includes providing order, security, and services.
Serve the people and promote general welfare