Foundational Documents
This document announced America's break from Britain and outlined the Enlightenment principles of natural rights and popular sovereignty.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
In this model of democracy, citizens directly influence policy through participation.
What is participatory democracy?
The division of power between national and state governments
What is federalism?
The branch of government that makes laws
What is the legislative branch?
This Supreme Court case upheld Congress's power to create a national bank and ruled that states could not tax it
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
This failed first constitution of the U.S. created a weak central government with no power to tax or enforce laws.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
The description for Pluralist democracy
What is: A model of democracy that relies on GROUPS competing for influence over policymaking?
Clause that says federal law is supreme over state law
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This clause of Article 1, Section 8 has been used to justify broad Congressional power over trade
What is the Commerce Clause?
In United States v. Lopez, the Court ruled that this clause had been stretched too far in regulating guns near schools.
What is the Commerce Clause?
Madison's Federalist essay warning about factions and arguing for a large republic.
What is Federalist No. 10?
A system where a small, wealthy group dominates policy decisions
What is elite democracy?
Clause that allows Congress to pass laws not explicitly listed in the Constitution.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
A power that both state and federal government share (example: taxing)
What is a concurrent power?
This constitutional clause was used to justify Congress's creation of the national bank in McCulloch v. Maryland
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
This Anti-Federalist document argued that the Necessary and Proper Clause and Supremacy Clause gave too much power to the national government.
What is Brutus No. 1?
The U.S. is considered this type of democracy, where people elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.
What is a republic (or representative democracy)?
This type of grant gives states money with few strings attached.
What is a block grant?
This Article explains how the Constitution can be amended
What is Article V?
Which case gave more power to the federal government: McCulloch v Maryland or United States v. Lopez?
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
In Federalist No. 51, Madison says, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." What core constitutional principle is he defending in this quote?
What is separation of powers (and checks and balances)?
Which model of democracy does Alexander Hamilton support when he says "the rich and wellborn" should have a permanent role in government?
What is elite democracy?
A modern example of federalism in conflict: name the clause the federal government used to challenge Arizona's 2010 immigration law
What is the Supremacy Clause?
This compromise created a bicameral legislature during the Constitutional Convention
What is the Connecticut Compromise (or Great Compromise)?
United States v. Lopez was significant because it did this to the balance of power between the federal and state governments
What is returned power to the states (or limited federal power)?