Foundational Documents
What is the U.S. Constitution?
These two opposing groups debated the Constitution's ratification and the balance of power between states and the federal government.
Who were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
A system of government where elected representatives make decisions for the people.
What is a representative democracy?
This 1776 document declared the colonies' independence and outlined Enlightenment ideals.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This 1803 case established the principle of Judicial Review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
The first 10 amendments are collectively know as this.
What is the Bill of Rights?
This group feared a strong central government and wanted more power left to the states.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
This principle means that the people are the ultimate source of governmental power.
What is popular sovereignty?
This article of the constitution outlines the powers to the legislative branch.
What is Article I?
This case upheld the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States and reinforcement federal supremacy.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
In Federalist No. 51, Madison wrote "if men were angels, no government would be necessary." This essay defends this constitutional principle.
What is checks and balances?
Federalists argued that this principle would keep the government from becoming too powerful by dividing power between the national and state levels.
What is federalism?
The idea that individuals have basic rights given by nature or God.
What are natural rights?
This clause in Article VI declares that the constitution is the highest law of the land.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
The 1995 case limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.
What is United States v. Lopez?
This Anti-Federalist paper warned that the constitution gave too much power to the national government.
What is Brutus No. 1?
Anti-Federalists believed this branch of government would become too powerful under the constitution, due to the life tenure of its members.
What is the Judicial Branch/Supreme Court
This Enlightenment thinker promoted the idea of the social contract and popular sovereignty.
Who is Jean-Jacques Rousseau?
This clause gives congress the power to make laws in order to carry out its enumerated powers.
What is the Elastic Clause / Necessary and Proper Clause?
This 1969 case protected students' rights to free speech in public schools.
What is Tinker v. Des Moines?
In the Declaration, Jefferson wrote that the governments derive their powers from this.
What is the consent of the governed?
This Federalist paper argued that the size of the republic was a good thing, and that it would prevent the tyranny of factions.
What is Federalist No. 10?
This principle means the government only has the power the people give it by way of a Constitution.
What is limited government?
This part of the Constitution allows Congress to regulate trade between states and with foreign nations.
What is the Commerce Clause?
This 2010 case allowed unlimited independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.
What is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commissions?