Democracy
In this type of democracy, citizens directly participate in decision-making.
What is direct democracy?
At the Constitutional Convention, this was the primary difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan in terms of representation.
The Virginia Plan proposed representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan advocated for equal representation for each state.
This pre-constitution document created a weak central government and was eventually replaced.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
These are individual freedoms protected by law, such as freedom of speech and religion.
What are civil liberties?
These are the rights that protect individuals from discrimination based on characteristics like race or gender.
What are civil rights?
In this form of government, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
What is representative democracy?
This philosopher's ideas on natural rights and social contract influenced the Founding Fathers.
Who is John Locke?
This system ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the others.
What are checks and balances?
This constitutional right protects individuals' expression and opinions.
What is freedom of speech?
This constitutional principle, found in the 14th Amendment, aims to ensure fairness in the legal system.
What is the equal protection clause?
In the U.S., this system is used to elect the President and Vice President, emphasizing the role of states in the process.
What is the Electoral College?
This term refers to oppressive and unjust rule by a government.
What is tyranny?
This constitutional principle establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This clause in the First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.
What is the Establishment Clause?
Though not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, this right is often inferred from other amendments.
What is the right to privacy?
This principle advocates for equal participation and influence in political processes.
What is political equality?
During the ratification debates, this group supported the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and argued for a strong central government.
Who are the Federalists?
These two groups held differing views on the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
Who are the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
This part of the First Amendment protects individuals' right to practice their religion.
What is the Free Exercise Clause?
Ratified in 1870, this amendment granted voting rights regardless of race or color.
What is the Fifteenth Amendment?
In the context of U.S. government, this principle asserts that the power of the government is derived from the consent of the governed.
What is popular sovereignty?
This was a key concern of the Anti-Federalists during the ratification debates, leading to the eventual addition of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution.
What is, the fear that individual liberties were not adequately protected?
This legal doctrine applies certain protections of the Bill of Rights to the states.
What is selective incorporation?
This legal concept restricts government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast.
What is prior restraint?
This legal doctrine, overturned by Brown v. Board of Education, permitted racial segregation in schools.
What is "separate but equal" or Plessy v. Ferguson?