Constitutional Foundations
The name of the first governing document of the United States, replaced by the Constitution
What are the Articles of Confederation?
The division of power between national and state governments
What is federalism?
Enlightenment philosopher most closely associated with the idea of natural laws
Who is John Locke?
This clause allows Congress to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations
What is the Commerce 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?
1787 meeting that led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution
What is the Constitutional Convention?
Each branch of government has some ability to limit the powers of the other branches.
What are checks and balances?
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 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?
Series of 85 essays written to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers?
This principle divides power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
separation of powers
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 make laws that are important and are an implied power
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?
The plan that proposed representation in Congress based on state population, favoring large states.
What is the Virginia Plan?
The idea that people are the ultimate power
What is popular sovereignty?
This theory emphasizes broad participation in politics by all citizens.
What is participatory democracy?
States must honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states under this clause.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
Fraction of Congress needed to propose an amendment AND fraction of states required to ratify an amendment
2/3 and 3/4