Foundations and Documents
This document, written in 1776, was essentially a "break-up letter" with Great Britain.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as this
What is the Bill of Rights?
This branch is responsible for making the laws.
What is the Legislative Branch?
The minimum age requirement to vote in a general election.
What is 18?
The highest court in the United States.
What is the Supreme Court?
This was the first constitution of the U.S., but it failed because the central government was too weak.
What are the Articles of Confederation
This system shares power between the National (Federal) government and the State governments (like Louisiana).
What is Federalism?
The President has this power to reject a bill passed by Congress.
What is a Veto?
The difference between a Duty (must do) and a Responsibility (should do). Jury Duty is an example of a...
What is a Duty (or Obligation)?
The power of the courts to declare a law unconstitutional.
What is Judicial Review?
This Enlightenment thinker inspired Thomas Jefferson with his ideas of "Natural Rights" (Life, Liberty, Property).
Who is John Locke?
To change the Constitution, you must pass one of these (there are currently 27 of them).
What is an Amendment?
This system ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful (e.g., The Senate confirms Presidential appointments).
What is Checks and Balances?
Trying to influence a government official to vote a certain way (often done by interest groups).
What is Lobbying?
This 1803 case established the power of Judicial Review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This phrase introduces the Constitution and establishes that the government gets its power from the people.
What is "We the People" (or The Preamble)?
This clause in the Constitution states that Federal law is the "Supreme Law of the Land" over state laws.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
The total number of Senators in the U.S. Senate.
What is 100?
The legal process by which a foreign citizen becomes a U.S. citizen.
What is Naturalization?
This case ended segregation in public schools, overturning "Separate but Equal."
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
The principle that no one is above the law, not even the President.
What is Rule of Law?
This group wanted a Bill of Rights added before they would agree to ratify the Constitution.
Who are the Anti-Federalists?
If the President and Vice President can no longer serve, this person takes over.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
This amendment gave women the right to vote.
What is the 19th Amendment?
In Miranda v. Arizona, the court ruled that suspects must be informed of this right upon arrest.
What is the right to remain silent (or right to an attorney)?