Constitutional Principles
This principle means government authority comes from the people and is exercised through elected representatives.
Republicanism (or representative democracy). Review this closely for accuracy, especially in math, as AI may have limitations.
Name the two chambers of the U.S. Congress.
House of Representatives and Senate. Review this closely for accuracy, especially in math, as AI may have limitations.
The group of department heads who advise the president is called the ___.
Cabinet. Review this closely for accuracy, especially in math, as AI may have limitations.
Name the case that established the principle of judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison (1803). Review this closely for accuracy, especially in math, as AI may have limitations.
A group whose main goal is to elect candidates and gain control of government is called a ___.
Political party.
The system that divides power between national and state governments; name one power reserved to the states.
Republicanism (or representative democracy). Review this closely for accuracy, especially in math, as AI may have limitations.
This is the primary way Congress organizes detailed work, where bills are researched, amended, and recommended before floor votes.
Committee system (standing, select, joint, conference).
Define "executive agreement" and say how it differs constitutionally from a treaty.
Executive agreement = pact between president and other nations made without Senate ratification; treaty requires Senate approval.
What is judicial review?
Power of courts to declare legislative/executive acts unconstitutional.
What is a PAC and how does it differ from a political party?
organization raising money to influence elections (often for/against candidates); differs from party by not necessarily running candidates.
This principle prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the others; give one concrete example.
Checks and balances — example: presidential veto checked by congressional override; Senate confirmation checks appointments.
List the basic steps for how a bill becomes law, from introduction to presidential action.
Introduced in chamber → committee → floor vote → other chamber → conference if needed → presidential sign/veto → override or law
Explain one historical factor that contributed to the growth of presidential authority in the 20th century.
Growth factors: wars and emergencies, expansion of administrative state, precedent (e.g., Lincoln, FDR).
Give one example of how courts apply constitutional principles to new technologies (from the provided text or a plausible modern example).
Example: Applying Fourth Amendment privacy principles to cell phone searches (e.g., warrant standards).
Explain two ways the Electoral College can produce a president who did not win the national popular vote.
Electoral College — state-by-state winner-take-all can award a candidate electoral votes despite losing national popular vote; distribution of electors gives small states proportionally more influence; focus on swing states leads to different strategic targeting.
The principle that assigns distinct functions to different branches (legislative makes law, executive enforces, judicial interprets). Explain how that principle differs from checks and balances in practice.
Separation of powers allocates functions; checks and balances creates overlapping powers so branches limit each other.
Explain the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction and identify which federal court primarily has original jurisdiction in most federal crimes.
Original jurisdiction = first to hear case (district courts); appellate = review of lower court decisions (courts of appeals); federal district courts have original jurisdiction for most federal crimes.
Administrative agencies make rules to implement laws passed by Congress. Describe the typical rulemaking process and one constitutional concern critics raise about agency rulemaking.
Notice-and-comment rulemaking under Administrative Procedure Act; constitutional concern: delegation problem (nondelegation) and separation of powers.
Describe the difference between federal district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court regarding fact-finding and precedent.
District courts handle facts and trials; appeals review legal errors and set precedent within circuits; Supreme Court resolves splits and interprets Constitution nationwide.
Describe how media coverage and PAC spending can influence which issues candidates prioritize (connect to constitutional mechanisms or incentives).
Media and PACs shape issue salience by funding ads, setting agenda, and framing messages; they incentivize candidates to adopt positions that attract donations/votes.
Individual rights limit government power. Cite one Supreme Court case (pre-21st century) that expanded an individual right and briefly state its constitutional basis.
Examples: Brown v. Board of Education (14th Amendment equal protection) or Miranda v. Arizona (5th Amendment self-incrimination). Review this closely for accuracy, especially in math, as AI may have limitations.
Describe two ways Congress can check the executive branch when the President uses executive agreements.
Ways: Congress can pass legislation limiting executive action; control funding; hold hearings; require implementing legislation; refuse to recognize certain agreements politically.
Provide a brief argument (two sentences) for and against the claim that presidents can unilaterally use military force without a formal declaration of war by Congress, citing constitutional text or practice.
Explain how Marbury v. Madison shaped the balance among branches and give one limit on the Court's power.
Campaign finance: explain one constitutional argument used to justify limits on campaign contributions and one argument used to oppose such limits.
For limits: government interest in preventing corruption/appearance of corruption (Congressional power to regulate elections). Against: First Amendment protection of political speech (money as speech). Review this closely for accuracy, especially in math, as AI may have limitations.