Foundations of Government
This 1215 English document established the principle of "limited government" and the right to a trial by jury.
Magna Carta
According to Article I of the Constitution, this branch has the power to declare war and "make all laws."
Legislative Branch
These first ten amendments to the Constitution protect individual liberties from government abuse.
The Bill of Rights
This 1954 case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and ended segregation in public schools.
Brown v. Board of Education
This international organization was formed after WWII to maintain global peace and security.
This Enlightenment philosopher’s ideas on "natural rights" (life, liberty, and property) heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson.
John Locke
This is the name for the President’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress.
Veto
This amendment protects the "Five Freedoms": Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, and Petition.
The First Amendment
This case ruled that suspects must be informed of their 5th and 6th Amendment rights "to remain silent" upon arrest.
Miranda v. Arizona
This form of government features a king or queen whose power is limited by a constitution.
Constitutional Monarchy
This 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine argued that it was "common sense" for the colonies to break away from Great Britain.
Common Sense
This landmark Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison
Unlike a "duty" (like paying taxes), this is something a citizen should do, such as voting or attending town hall meetings.
Responsibility
In this "black armband" case, the court ruled that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.
Tinker v. Des Moines
This is a system of government where the central government holds all the power (opposite of Federalism).
Unitary System
Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government lacked this specific power, making it impossible to pay off war debts.
The power to tax
To become a federal judge or a Cabinet member, you must be appointed by the President and confirmed by this body.
Senate
This 14th Amendment clause ensures that laws apply equally to all citizens, regardless of race or gender.
Equal Protection Clause
This case established that the government cannot use "prior restraint" to stop the press unless there is a direct threat to national security.
New York Times Co. v. United States
This is the primary goal of U.S. foreign policy.
National Security
This "Great Compromise" settled the dispute between large and small states by creating this type of two-house legislature.
Bicameral Legislature
This clause in Article I allows Congress to stretch its powers to meet new needs.
Necessary and Proper Clause
This is the legal process by which a foreign citizen or national can become a U.S. citizen.
This case confirmed that even the President is not above the law and cannot use "executive privilege" to hide evidence in a criminal trial.
U.S. v. Nixon
This defense alliance between the U.S., Canada, and several European nations is based on the principle of "collective defense."
NATO