Constitutional Foundations
This term describes a legislature divided into two separate chambers.
What is a bicameral legislature?
This system of government divides power between the national government and state governments.
What is federalism?
These are powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.
What are expressed powers?
This amendment protects freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
This amendment protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
What is the Second Amendment?
This principle states that the people are the ultimate source of governmental authority.
What is popular sovereignty?
These powers are shared by both the federal and state governments.
What are concurrent powers?
This type of federal grant gives states money for a broad purpose while allowing them some freedom in deciding how the money will be used.
What is a block grant?
After being found not guilty of a crime, a person is prosecuted again by the same government for the same offense. This amendment protects the person from double jeopardy.
What is the Fifth Amendment?
A judge sets an extremely high bail amount solely to punish a defendant before trial. This amendment provides the strongest constitutional protection.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
This document replaced the Articles of Confederation and created a stronger national government.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
The ability of states to experiment with different public policies is considered one of these aspects of federalism.
What is an advantage of federalism?
This clause provides the constitutional basis for Congress to exercise implied powers.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
During peacetime, the government cannot require you to house soldiers in your home without your consent because of this amendment.
What is the Third Amendment?
Police enter a person's home and search it without a warrant, consent, or an emergency. This amendment provides the most direct constitutional protection.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This principle divides governmental authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
What is separation of powers?
These federal powers are not written directly in the Constitution but are necessary to carry out expressed powers.
What are implied powers?
A broad interpretation of this constitutional clause increased national authority by expanding Congress's ability to regulate economic activity among the states.
What is the Commerce Clause?
This amendment protects the right to a jury trial in many federal civil cases.
What is the Seventh Amendment?
This amendment guarantees criminal defendants protections including a speedy and public trial and the right to legal counsel.
What is the Sixth Amendment?
The President's ability to veto legislation and Congress's ability to override that veto demonstrate this constitutional principle.
What are checks and balances?
This clause requires states to respect each other’s laws, court decisions, and records.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
This 1819 Supreme Court case broadened the interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause and strengthened the Federal Government's implied powers.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
A dispute arises over a governmental power that the Constitution neither delegates to the Federal Government nor prohibits to the states. This amendment supports the argument that the power belongs to the states or the people.
What is the Tenth Amendment?
This amendment establishes that the people possess rights beyond those specifically listed in the Constitution.
What is the Ninth Amendment?