Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Notable Cases
Amendments
Definitions
100

Define separation of powers.

What is each of the three branches has its own power and independence?

100

Define checks and balances.

What is each has some power over the others, but retains independence?

100

Describe what Marbury v. Madison established.

What is a Judicial Review?

100

The first 10 amendments

What is the bill of rights?

100

Separation between powers of the Federal, State, and Local Governments

What is federalism?

200

Why does the federal government have power over currency?

So that currency is the same in the country.

200

Why are checks and balances important in government?

They are important because they prevent one branch becoming stronger than the rest.

200

Describe Baker v. Carr.

What federal courts can intervene in redistricting to enforce equal protection- "one man one vote"?

200

The first amendment. And what does it protect?

What is freedom of speech, assembly, petition, religion, and press. It protects the rights of the people.

200

System of government in which the central government is very weak, and most of the true power lies in individual states

What is confederacy?

300

Why do the states have power over schools. 

So that the federal government doesn't have a biased learning system.

300

What are two powers that the executive branch has to check on the other two branches?

The executive branch has the power to veto legislation, and the power to nominate judges to the supreme court.

300

Describe what happened in Brown v. Board of Ed.

What is overturned Plessy, rules segregation is unconstitutional?

300

Right to a speedy, public, and impartial trail with lawyers. What rights does the establish?

What is the 6th Amendment, and individual rights?

300

System of government in which the central government is extremely powerful, and individual states have few powers.

What is unitary system?

400

Three examples of federal powers.

What is regulate interstate commerce, coin/print money, provide army, declare war, establish federal courts, set foreign policy, and make all laws "necessary and proper".

400

What are two powers that the judiciary branch has to check the other two branches?

The judiciary branch has the power to declare laws unconstitutional, and declare presidential acts unconstitutional.

400

Describe what happened in United States v. Lopez.

What is overstepping commerce clause, power devolves from the federal to state?

400

No excessive bails or fines, no cruel and unusual policies, and what rights does this establish?

What is the 8th Amendment, and citizens rights?

400

Belief that the state and national government are supreme within their own sphere of influence, commonly referred to as "Layer Cake"

What is Dual Federalism?

500

An example of a concurrent power.

What is levy taxes, spend money for the general welfare, and enact and enforce laws?

500

What are two powers that the legislative branch has to check the other two branches?

Legislative branch has the power to impeach presidents, and impeach judges.

500

Describe what Shaw v. Reno established.

What is legislative districts must provide equal protection- no racially drawn district lines or Gerrymandering?

500

Powers not given to the federal government or denied of the states are reserved to the states. What rights does this establish?

What is the 10th Amendment, and states rights?

500

Process of  returning power to the states, this began during New Federalism under presidents Nixon, Reagan, and Bush

What is Devolution?