Foundations of Democracy
This 1215 English document limited the power of the King and established the rule of law, inspiring the U.S. Constitution's due process clause.
What is the Magna Carta?
The introduction to the Constitution that outlines its purpose to "form a more perfect union."
What is the Preamble?
This bicameral branch is responsible for making laws and includes the House and Senate.
What is the Legislative Branch (Congress)?
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and this right to ask the government to fix problems.
What is Petition?
In this economic system, the government makes all economic decisions.
What is a Command Economy?
This Enlightenment thinker advocated for the separation of powers, a concept heavily used in the U.S. government structure.
Who is Montesquieu?
This principle divides power between the federal government and state governments.
What is Federalism?
The leader of the Executive Branch who implements laws and serves as Commander-in-Chief.
Who is the President?
The 5th Amendment protects you from being forced to testify against yourself, also known as this.
What is Self-Incrimination?
This type of policy involves the government's decisions on spending and taxation.
What is Fiscal Policy?
Before the Constitution, this document created a "weak" central government that lacked the power to tax.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This system ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the others.
What are Checks and Balances?
This group advises the President and includes the heads of executive departments.
What is the Cabinet?
This amendment granted women the right to vote nationwide.
What is the 19th Amendment?
Actions taken by the central bank to control the money supply and interest rates.
What is Monetary Policy?
This 1620 agreement was the first self-governing document in the American colonies, establishing the idea of "consent of the governed."
What is the Mayflower Compact?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which protect individual liberties.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government, such as declaring war.
What are Enumerated Powers?
Jury duty and obeying laws are examples of these mandatory actions for citizens.
What are Civic Duties?
The first step in a Civic Action Project, involving recognizing problems in the community.
What is Identifying Issues?
John Locke argued that all people are born with these specific rights, which the government cannot take away.
What are Natural Rights (Life, Liberty, Property)?
The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is Judicial Review?
This "highest court in the land" serves as the final authority on legal disputes.
What is the Supreme Court?
The 15th Amendment prohibits denying the right to vote based on this factor.
What is Race (or Color)?
A financial safety net set aside for unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills.
What is an Emergency Fund?