Definitions
This constitutional principle ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent tyranny.
What are checks and balances?
This principle of government is based on the idea that the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
What is republicanism?
This is the amount of states needed to ratify the Constitution.
What is 9?
This is how many amendments the Constitution has now
What is 27?
The Constitution recognizes these political entities as distinct from states, giving Congress the power to regulate commerce with them.
What are Native (or Indigenous) nations?
This practice involves drawing district boundaries to give one political party an advantage over others.
What is gerrymandering?
Sometimes called “layer cake federalism,” this concept describes a system in which state and national governments each operate within their own distinct areas of power.
What is dual federalism?
What is a confederation?
Passed in 1964, this landmark law banned discrimination in public accommodations and empowered the attorney general to sue to desegregate schools.
What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
This process, which happens every 10 years after the census, redraws the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts.
What is redistricting?
In the Senate, this tactic allows a senator to delay or block a vote by speaking at length or using procedural maneuvers.
What is a filibuster?
Nicknamed “marble cake federalism,” this concept describes a system where state and national governments share responsibilities and work together on policy.
What is cooperative federalism?
This was one of the only things that the central government could do under the Articles of Confederation.
What is declare war?
The meaning of the Constitution evolves over time primarily due to this process carried out by the courts.
What are changing judicial interpretations?
In U.S. elections, this group of candidates typically has an easier time raising money from donors.
Who are incumbents?
The Supreme Court's right to declare the actions of the other branches of government null and void if they are contrary to the Constitution
What is judicial review?
These two rival plans at the Constitutional Convention clashed over representation in Congress, one favoring large states and the other favoring small states.
What are the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
This compromise reflected the Constitutions original stance towards slavery.
What is the 3/5th Compromise?
The delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 were overwhelmingly this demographic group, reflecting the limits of representation at the time.
Who were rich, white, men?
These three main types of grants allow the federal government to provide money to the states: one gives states freedom to decide, one requires money be used for specific purposes, and one combines both approaches.
What are block grants, categorical grants, and project grants?
These powers under the Constitution are shared by the federal government and the states
What are concurrent powers?
Put these types of government in order from least central power to most central power.
Unitary, Confederation, Anarchy, Federalism, Autocracy
What is anarchy, confederation, federalism, unitary, and autocracy?
This 1803 Supreme Court case established the principle that courts can declare laws unconstitutional, creating the foundation for judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
According to the Constitution, the House has this sole power related to impeachment, while the Senate has the sole power to conduct this following it.
What are “to impeach” and “to try (or hold a trial)”?
Although the Constitution doesn’t explicitly grant it, this office has grown significantly in power over time due to political practice, precedent, and public expectations.
What is the presidency?