Landmark Supreme Cases
What was the result of Engel v. Vitale (1962)?
School-led prayer is unconstitutional
This is the first part of the Constitution and begins with the words "We the People."
The Preamble
This document declared the American colonies' independence from Britain in 1776.
Declaration of Independence
This principle ensures that no one, including government officials, is above the law.
Rule of Law
Which document was America's first constitution?
Articles of Confederation
What principle was reinforced in Texas v. Johnson (1989)?
Freedom of speech, even flag burning
This group makes the laws and is created by Article I of the Constitution.
Legislative Branch ( Congress )
This document, written in 1781, was the first constitution of the United States and had a weak central government.
This system of government divides powers between national and state governments.
Federalism
A person is tried twice for the same crime. What amendment does this violate?
5th Amendment
This 1969 case ruled that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate" after students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.
Tinker V Des Moines
This system ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.
Checks and Balances
This political philosopher’s ideas of natural rights and the social contract heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence.
John Locke
This principle is expressed in the first three words of the Constitution: "We the People."
Popular Sovereignty
A homeowner refuses to let soldiers stay in their house during peacetime. Which amendment protects them?
3rd Amendment
This case established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Marbury V Madison (1803)
This clause in the Constitution gives Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its duties.
Elastic Clauses
A police officer pullds over a man driving his car. The officer order the man out of the car. Then, offering no notice or legal document, the officer proceeds to search the vehicle . Which part of the U.S Constitution provides protection against this action?
The 4th Amendment
This document is the supreme law of the land and lays out the structure of the government in the United States.
US Constitution
This amendment protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishment, and excessive fines or bail.
Eighth Amendment
In this 1954 case, the Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, ending “separate but equal.”
Brown V Board of Education
This clause in the Constitution says that federal law is the "supreme law of the land."
Supremacy Clause
What document first limited the power of the monarchy?
Magna Carta
The power of government is derived from the consent of the governed, as outlined in this philosophical idea.
Social Contract
This amendment lowered the voting age to 18 years old, ensuring young adults could vote in elections.
Twenty-six amendment