Early Beginnings
This form of government derived from the Athenian Greeks and is where we get this type of government which gives power to the people.
Democracy
The founding document of the United States which states its name and birthday which is why we celebrate every July 4th.
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Declaration of Independence
These prevent one branch from becoming too powerful over the other an example would be the president's power to veto bills from Congress.
Checks & Balances; Separation of Powers
There are 27 all together but it's these first set of 10 amendments which shield us from overreach by government.
The Bill of Rights
The total number of electoral votes for a candidate to win the presidency. It's the winning lottery for the White House.
270
Though it changed from this to an imperial monarchy in Rome this form of government influenced our representative legislature.
Republic
A Treaty of Friendship amongst the states that though unsuccessful set the stage for the later governing document of the United States to be adopted.
Articles of Confederation
It contains 535 members broken up by states of equal representation and by states based upon population. Their main responsibility is to write bills.
Congress
In some ways and add-on to the Bill of Rights because it secured citizenship for all, protected natural rights, and if needed demands intervention by Congress.
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14th Amendment
The system used to elect the president which afford electors to states who may be deemed as "safe" or "swing" during an election year.
Electoral College
This system of government was the basis of the Iroquois Confederacy dividing power amongst the five tribal nations.
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Federalism
A battle of newspapers between those who wanted to ratify the Constitution and those who were opposed to it. Numbers 10, 51, and 78 are most famous.
The Federalist Papers
Though one person sits in this branch, its really these who do most of the day-to-day governing. They originally used to meet in the White House kitchen henceforth their current name.
Executive/President's Cabinet
A Supreme Court case is deemed landmark because of how it changed the legal precedence or landscape of the previous ruling. Name a landmark case here to answer.
Varies i.e. Marbury v. Madison, 1803 would be appropriate
Though not science like, these political creatures are used to draw political rivals out of districts henceforth the name of its originator.
Gerrymandering
John Locke influenced Thomas Jefferson with these which is why he wrote them in the Declaration of Independence; they include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Natural Rights
The governing document of the United States which asserts the power of the people with its preamble "We the People".
The Constitution
Marbury v. Madison in 1803 set this precedence which is the main power the Supreme Court has over the other branches.
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Judicial Review
One of a few key civil rights amendments sought to protect citizens from facing discrimination. Name one of the amendments here that does this.
Varies i.e. 19th amendment securing women's right to vote would be appropriate.
Some are major or minor but their platform in principle is what's used to get candidates elected. Today's major ones are a donkey and an elephant.
Political Parties
A set theories that was used to influence the creation of these which is an agreement between the people and their government. John Locke and Thomas Hobbes had competing views.
Social Contract
These were added later to the Constitution with its author George Mason, who argued 10 would do to secure our civil liberties.
The Bill of Rights
Not small or large but the degree of influence we should expect to see from our government or at least as originally intended.
Limited Government
There are many protections in the Bill of Rights for our civil liberties name one with the amendment for this answer.
Varies i.e. 1st amendment protects free speech
These states often switch their party preferences between elections. If you're thinking of the action used with a golf club or baseball bat, you're on the right track.
***THIS QUESTION IS A DAILY DOUBLE***
"Swing States"