Constitutional Principles
This principle divides power between the national and state governments.
What is federalism?
This landmark case established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, allowing it to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This Anti-Federalist essay warned that a strong central government would threaten liberty and overpower the states.
What is Brutus 1?
This landmark Supreme Court decision ruled that racial segregation in public schools violated the Constitution’s promise of equality.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
This system ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.
What is checks and balances?
This system ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the other two.
What are checks and balances?
When the Supreme Court decides a case, its ruling becomes this — a decision that lower courts are expected to follow in future cases.
What is a precedent?
In Federalist 10, James Madison argued that this type of government—large and diverse—would best control the effects of factions.
What is a large republic?
Brown v. Board of Education overturned this earlier Supreme Court case that had allowed “separate but equal” facilities.
What is Plessy v. Ferguson?
The president can check Congress by refusing to sign a bill into law.
What is a veto?
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court upheld this constitutional clause, confirming that federal laws are superior to state laws.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Court strengthened federal power by ruling that this clause gave Congress implied powers.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
In Federalist 70, Alexander Hamilton argued that this kind of executive was necessary for good government—one who could act decisively and be held accountable.
What is a single energetic executive (or strong president)?
The Brown decision was based on this clause of the 14th Amendment.
What is the Equal Protection Clause?
Congress can override a presidential veto with this fraction of votes in both houses.
What is a two-thirds vote?
This principle means that government power comes from the consent of the governed, usually expressed through voting.
What is popular sovereignty?
The Supreme Court depends on this branch of government to enforce and carry out its decisions.
Executive Branch
In Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. distinguished between two kinds of laws—those that align with moral principles and those that degrade human dignity.
What are just and unjust laws?
Who was the Chief Justice who wrote the unanimous opinion in Brown v. Board of Education?
Who is Chief Justice Earl Warren?
This process allows Congress to remove a president, judge, or other federal official from office for wrongdoing.
What is impeachment?
This English philosopher’s ideas about natural rights—life, liberty, and property—inspired the Declaration of Independence.
Who is John Locke?
The Supreme Court often considers whether a law violates this part of the Constitution that protects basic rights and freedoms.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Both Brutus 1 and Federalist 10 discuss the dangers of this force in politics—groups of citizens united by a common passion or interest that might work against the public good.
What are factions?
This phrase from Brown II described how quickly schools were expected to desegregate—allowing many districts to delay compliance.
What is “with all deliberate speed”?
When the Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional, it is using this power established in Marbury v. Madison.
What is judicial review?