Founding Documents
Identify the two groups that were debating each other in the newspapers as states decided whether to ratify the newly drafted Constitution
The Federalists and the Anti-Federalists
Which court case made it mandatory for state and local governments to read an arrested person their rights before gathering testimony?
Miranda v. Arizona
Identify one way that private citizens can influence public policy.
Acceptable responses include: donating to a candidate; supporting or donating to an interest group; contacting a representative; attend and speak at a town hall; participate and/or start a protest; voting
These types of laws are meant to prevent voter fraud, but also create barriers to voting for lower-income Americans
Voter ID laws
If the President does not like a bill passed by Congress, what can the President do?
Veto or pocket veto the legislation
Arguments from the Anti-Federalists led to this addition to the Constitution
The Bill of Rights
In this case, SCOTUS established it had the power of judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison
Name two interest groups
Possible answers include: NRA, Sierra Club, AFL-CIO, Emily's List, AARP
If the House and the Senate have different versions of a bill, where will the bill go to so that the differences can be resolved?
A conference committee
Judicial review
Which Federalist Paper argued that multiple branches + a system of checks and balances was needed in the Constitution because 'no men are angels'?
Federalist Paper No. 51
Second
Which type of election sees the highest voter turnout?
General or Presidential elections
Briefly explain the President's role in the federal budget process.
Explain two possible actions/alternatives if there was an unpopular Court decision that could diminish its effect, and who could carry it out
Possible answers include:
-Congress or the states could decrease money appropriated to the program that would oversee its enforcement
-Congress could create legislation as a work-around (statutory override)
-States & Congress could amend the Constitution, if applicable
-The President could choose not to use any federal department/agency to enforce the decision
-Individual, private citizens participate in civil disobedience
Identify one Federalist Paper written by Hamilton and one idea asserted in the paper.
-Federalist Paper No. 70- "energy" and "unity" needed in the Executive Branch (any similar/relevant responses will be accepted)
-Federalist Paper No. 78- the Judicial Branch is the weakest branch; the Judicial Branch is necessary to check the powers of the other two branches
Identify one court case found in your study guide that solidified the civil liberty of freedom of religion.
Wisconsin v. Yoder and Engel v. Vitale
What is one way a state could encourage voter turnout and/or create easier access to voting?
Examples include:
-Allow mail-in voting and/or early voting
-Do not require voters to show IDs at the polls
-Make Election Day a state holiday
-Automatically restore voting rights to former felons when they are released from prison
This piece of legislation prevents federal employees from using their position to assist or endorse a political party or campaign
Identify who needs to approve an amendment in order for it to be ratified and the proportions needed for it to pass.
Three-fourths of the states must approve and two-thirds of both chambers in Congress
Give one example from the Constitution to highlight each principle: 1) separation of powers, 2) checks and balances
Acceptable examples include:
1) Tax bills must originate in the House; only the President can issue pardons for federal crimes; the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction when one state sues another state
2) Only Congress can declare war --> checks the President's power as Commander-in-Chief; Congress has the power to impeach and remove the President & federal judges/justices
Use the term "stare decisis" to describe the decision in Brown v. Board.
Example: The Court did not apply stare decisis in its Brown v. Board ruling because it overturned the precedent set in Plessy v. Ferguson. The Court determined the "separate but equal" doctrine was unconstitutional and that public schools could no longer segregate students.
Explain two ways the original Constitution prevented citizens from choosing their representatives.
State legislatures chose the Senators and the Electoral College directly chose (and still chooses) the President
The Citizens United v. FEC decision determined a statue of this piece of legislation was unconstitutional
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)
List three ways that the Constitution gives the Senate the ability to check the President's power
Answers include:
-Approve treaties created by the President
-Approve the President's judicial nominees
-Approve the President's picks for ambassadors
-Approve the President's picks for heads of departments/agencies
-Ability to remove the President from office because they hold the trial of impeachment
*Note: The Senate CANNOT impeach the President- that power belongs to the House