Foundational Docs
Formal separation from Britain influenced by Enlightenment ideals
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Established the principle of judicial review
Marbury v Madison
Bicameral houses of Congress
What is the Senate and the House of Representatives?
This Article of the Constitution gives the executive branch its power
Article II
This Article of the U.S. Constitution gives the judicial branch its power
Article III
The first Constitution of the U.S. that favored strong state rights and a weak federal government.
Articles of Confederation
Established the supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and federal laws over state laws
What is McCullough v. Maryland?
This Article of the Constitution gives the legislative branch its power
Article 1
Presidential power to not sign a bill and send it back to Congress with reasons
Veto
SCOTUS’ power to declare federal legislation invalid if it violates the Constitution
Judicial Review
Defines powers and limits of each branch of government through checks and balances
What is the Constitution?
Congress may not use the Commerce Clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime
What is United States v. Lopez?
The amount needed in each house to override a presidential veto
2/3 vote
Agreement a president makes with another nation that does not require the Senate’s approval
Executive Agreement
Bold policy decisions that address pressing needs that are not being addressed by the government
What is judicial activism?
Argument against the Constitution that there too many interests and the government will be too powerful
What is Brutus 1
Legislative redistricting must be conscious of race and ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965
What is Shaw v. Reno?
This house impeaches while this house holds the impeachment trial
What is the House of Representatives (impeachment) and the Senate (trial)?
U.S. president fails to sign a bill within a specified period after the adjournment of the legislature,
Pocket Veto
Plays a minimal role in policy making by letting elected officials make policy, and follows precedent and Founding Fathers’ intent
What is judicial restraint?
Letter that defends breaking the law through nonviolent protests against racial injustices
What is Letter from Birmingham Jail?
Opened the door to equal protection challenges to redistricting and established the “one person, one vote” doctrine
What is Baker v. Carr?
This vote ends a filibuster in the Senate
What is a cloture vote?
Presidential powers of excusing a person from a crime and reducing someone’s prison sentence
Pardon and Reprieve
SCOTUS has ______ in cases involving 2 or states, the U.S. government and a state government, and U.S. and foreign ambassadors/diplomats
What is original jurisdiction?