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7 Flashcard Decks
Civic literacy review 1
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Supremacy Clause
The Supremacy Clause establishes that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.
concurrent powers
Concurrent powers are powers that are shared by both the federal government and state governments.
implied powers
Powers that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are implied to be granted to the federal government.
President pro tempore of the Senate
Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the Vice President who is the President of the Senate
democracy
A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.
natural rights
Rights that people have inherently, such as the right to life, liberty, and property.
Rule of Law
No one is above the law; Everyone must follow the laws, regardless of their position of power.
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
pamphlet that advocated for the colonies declaring independence from Britain
Anti-Federalist Papers
The Anti-Federalist Papers were a series of essays written in opposition to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in the United States.
Selective Service Act
The Selective Service Act established the country's first peacetime draft in 1940.
Popular Sovereignty
Popular Sovereignty was the idea that political power is derived from the consent of the governed.
Roe v. Wade
Legalized abortion across the United States.
Plessy v. Ferguson 1896
Supreme Court upheld racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
The Supreme Court upheld the censorship of school-sponsored student newspapers.
Bush v. Gore (2000)
Supreme Court decided the presidential election dispute, due to inconsistent evaluation.
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) was a Supreme Court case that ruled that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not considered citizens and therefore could not sue in federal court.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
Tinker Vs.Des Moines(1968)
Students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.
Gideon Vs .Wainwright (1963)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) established the right to counsel for criminal defendants who cannot afford them.
In Re Gault (1967)
Gerald Gault was a 15-year-old accused of making an obscene phone call to a neighbor; established the principle that young persons have constitutional rights
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
The Supreme Court case that established the exclusionary rule for illegally obtained evidence; may not be used in criminal prosecutions in state courts, as well as federal courts.
Miranda vs. Arizona, 1961
Miranda v. Arizona established the Miranda warning and the requirement that law enforcement officers inform individuals of their rights before questioning.
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Supreme Court ruled that school-sponsored prayer was unconstitutional. (violates separation of church and state and freedom of religion)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
the Supreme Court upheld the power of the national government and denied the right of a state to tax the federal bank using the Constitution's supremacy clause.
Checks and Balances
The system that prevents any one branch of government from having too much power.
Federalism
The breaking of the gov't into Federal and state levels, each having certain powers
3/5 Compromise
The 3/5 Compromise was an agreement at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that counted three-fifths of the slave population for both representation and taxation purposes.
Great Compromise
introduced by Roger Sherman; set up a bicameral Congress - upper housecalled Senate with each state getting 2 votes & a lower house called the House of Representativeswith each state's representation based on its population
Articles of Confederation
First constitution of the United States, 1781. The new government was weak because states held most of the power, and Congress lacked the power to tax, regulate trade, or control the coining of money. It was later replaced with the U.S. Constitution.
Electoral College
The Electoral College is a group of electors chosen by the state that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.
American Revolution
War between Great Britain and its American colonies, by which the colonies won their independence
mayor
The elected official who is the head of a city government.
Judical Review
Judicial review is the power of the courts to review the actions of the legislative and executive branches to determine whether they are constitutional. (marbury v madison)
Social Contract Theory
Social Contract Theory is the idea that individuals consent to an agreement in which they give up some of their freedoms in exchange for the protection and benefits provided by a society or government.
consent of the governed
The principle that the authority of a government should depend on the consent of the people it governs.
Equal Protection Clause
The Equal Protection Clause is part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This clause is the major constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against persons because of race, national origin, or sex.
U.S. Constitution
The supreme law of the United States.
due process of law
The right to fair treatment and legal proceedings.
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was a document signed on November 11, 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the ship Mayflower, establishing a basic form of government for the Plymouth Colony.
English Bill of Rights
Document written by English Parliament in 1689, designed to prevent abuse of power by English monarchs; parts of the U.S. Bill of Rights have foundation in that document
Free Exercise Clause
The Free Exercise Clause is a provision of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects the right of individuals to practice their religion without government interference.
Senate
The upper house in the United States Congress composed of members representing each state. 100 total, 2 each and serves 6 year terms.
House of Representatives
the lower legislative house of Congress; number of representatives from each state is based on population and each representative is elected by a district in their state; members serve 2 year terms
enumerated/expressed/delegated powers
powers Congress has that are specifically stated in the Constitution
Supremacy Clause
The Supremacy Clause establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted onJuly 4, 1776.
Executive Branch
The President, Vice President, and Cabinet departments.
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is responsible for making laws.
Judicial Branch
The branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying the law.
Elastic Clause
Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out powers not expressly stated but necessary.
Amendment 27
Congressional pay raises are not increased until the next election
Amendment 26
Right to vote at age 18.
Amendment 25
The 25th Amendment established procedures for presidential succession and disability.
Amendment 24
Abolishes poll taxes.
Amendment 23
Grants the residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote for presidential electors
Amendment 22
Limiting presidential terms to two.
Amendment 21
Repealed Prohibition
Amendment 20
If the president dies before swearing in, the Vice President elect becomes president
Amendment 19
Women can vote.
Amendment 18
Prohibition of alcohol
Amendment 17
Direct election of senators
Amendment 16
The 16th Amendment allows the federal government to levy an income tax.
Amendment 15
Amendment that doesn't allow you to deny a vote because of race, color, previous condition of servitude
Amendment 14
Citizenship rights and equal protection under the law
Amendment 13
Abolished slavery
Amendment 12
The Twelfth Amendment sets forth the procedure for electing the President and Vice President.
Amendment 11
The Eleventh Amendment restricts the ability of individuals to sue a state in federal court.
Amendment 10
Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states.
Amendment 9
People's rights are not limited to those in the Constitution.
Amendment 8
Prohibition of excessive bail or fines, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.
Amendment 7
Right to a jury trial in civil cases.
Amendment 6
Right to a fair trial, right to be notified of accusations, confront the accuser, and obtain a witness.
Amendment 5
Protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and due process of law.
Amendment 4
Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Amendment 3
Amendment that prohibits forced quartering of soldiers
Amendment 2
The right to bear arms
Amendment 1
Amendment that represents freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
Governmental Powers (cases)
Study
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Established the principle of judicial review.
Barron v. Baltimore (1833)
The Supreme Court ruled that the Bill of Rights limited only the actions of the federal government, not the state governments.
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in federal court.
Ex parte Milligan (1866)
The Supreme Court ruled that military tribunals could not try civilians in areas where civil courts were operational.
United States v. Nixon (1974)
The Supreme Court ruled that the President must comply with a subpoena for tapes and documents.
Bush v. Gore (2000)
Supreme Court decided the 2000 presidential election. Different standards for vote recounts in different Florida counties violated the Equal Protection Clause.
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
The Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
1st Amendment (cases)
Study
Schenck v. United States (1919)
Established the "clear and present danger" test for limiting free speech rights.
Near v. Minnesota (1931)
The Supreme Court case that held that the government cannot censor or prohibit a publication in advance, even though the publication may be punishable after it is in circulation. strong protections for freedom of the press.
West Virginia v. Barnette (1943)
The Supreme Court ruled that public schools cannot force students to salute the flag or say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Supreme Court case involving school prayer. Unconstitutional, as it violated establishment clause.
New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)
The Supreme Court decision established the "actual malice" standard for libel cases involving public figures.
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) was a landmark Supreme Court case regarding freedom of speech in public schools. Black armbands to protest vietnam.
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
The Supreme Court held that public high schools have the authority to exercise editorial control over the content of student newspapers.
Texas v. Johnson (1989)
The Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag in protest is protected speech under the First Amendment.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
Supreme Court case that ruled that political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.
Due process (cases)
Study
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Exclusionary rule. illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in state court trials.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) established the right to counsel for criminal defendants.
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Miranda rights
In re Gault (1967)
Supreme Court case that extended several constitutional protections to minors.
Equal Protection (cases)
Study
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Supreme Court upheld "separate but equal" segregation laws.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine in public education.
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)
Supreme Court ruled that the use of strict racial quotas in university admissions is unconstitutional.
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Privacy Rights (cases)
Study
Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)
Supreme Court case that struck down a Connecticut law prohibiting the use of contraceptives.
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Legalized abortion across the United States.
Federalism (cases)
Study
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of McCulloch, stating that the federal government has implied powers to carry out its enumerated powers, and that states cannot impede those powers through taxation.
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
Supreme Court decision regulating interstate commerce.
Cooper v. Aaron (1958)
The Supreme Court ruled that the states must follow the Court's decisions.
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A flashcard deck covering American government concepts and landmark court cases in an easy-to-review format.
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U.s. History
Supreme Court Cases
Constitutional Rights
Government Branches
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