Foundations Of Democracy
This Enlightenment thinker’s ideas of natural rights and the social contract influenced the Declaration of Independence.
Who is John Locke?
This type of democracy allows broad involvement of citizens, such as ballot initiatives or referendums.
What is participatory democracy?
This group, including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, supported a strong central government.
Who were the Federalists?
This was America’s first government framework, described as a “league of friendship” among states.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This clause makes the U.S. Constitution the supreme law of the land.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This document, written in 1776, provided a moral and legal justification for American independence.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This type of democracy emphasizes multiple groups (like the NRA or NAACP) influencing policy-making.
What is pluralist democracy?
This group, including Patrick Henry and George Mason, feared a strong federal government would lead to tyranny.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
This event, led by farmers in Massachusetts, revealed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
What is Shays’ Rebellion?
These powers, such as military and foreign diplomacy, belong only to the national government.
What are exclusive (delegated) powers?
These three men were part of the “Grand Committee” at the Constitutional Convention: James Madison, George Washington, and this founding father.
Who is Alexander Hamilton?
In this type of democracy, elected representatives act as trustees for those who elect them.
What is elite democracy?
This foundational document, written by Madison, argued that a large republic would control factions.
What is Federalist No. 10?
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with representation by both population and equality.
What is the Great Compromise?
These grants come with “strings attached” often for roads, schools, or health programs.
What are categorical grants?
This term means that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed.
What is popular sovereignty?
In a referendum, citizens do this to a proposed law.
What is vote to approve or reject it?
This Anti-Federalist paper warned that a powerful central government would trample liberties.
What is Brutus No. 1?
This Article of the Constitution describes the amendment process.
What is Article V?
This Supreme Court case (1819) expanded federal power by confirming that states cannot tax the federal government.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
This system ensures power is shared between the states and the national government.
What is federalism?
In an initiative, citizens do this to start a new law.
What is propose the law?
This addition to the Constitution was demanded by Anti-Federalists to protect individual liberties.
What is the Bill of Rights?
This foundational document (1787) established three branches of government with checks and balances.
What is the Constitution of the United States?
This Supreme Court case (1995) limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause by striking down a gun-free school zone law.
What is United States v. Lopez?