Government Change and Federalism (Government and Citizenship)

1st Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against restrictions on freedom of speech, religion, press, petition, and assembly Example. Peaceful protests

6th Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the right to a fair, speedy, and public trial; the right to a lawyer, the right to confront accusers, and the right to an impartial jury Example. You can't be stuck in jail for years while awaiting a trial.

18th Amendment

Ratified in 1917 and established the prohibition of alcohol. (Remember with: you can't drink at 18) Was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933

Brown v. Board of Education

1954: The Supreme Court ruled in this case that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional; this overturned the finding in Plessy v. Ferguson

Progressivism

A political movement in the early 1900s focusing on social change or an increase in the power of the US federal government

9th Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the rights of the individuals not specifically listed (unenumerated rights)

Necessary and Proper Clause

gives Congress the power to make any laws necessary and proper to carry out its other powers

17th Amendment

Allows the direct election of senators by the citizens of the state

U.S. Constitution

Document which lays the foundation for the US government and provides a blueprint of democracy for the rest of the world

Bicameral

The split of the legislative branch into two houses, each with a different set-up and focus

8th Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against cruel and unusual punishment

19th Amendment

Ratified in 1920, it gave women the right to vote (known as women's suffrage).

15th Amendment

Gave the right to vote to every male citizen regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.

Commerce Clause

A key clause of the Constitution. Regulates interstate commerce. This power has been used to justify the expansion of the legislature over nationwide issues, since they could impact interstate commerce.

5th Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against unsupported accusations of wrongdoing, self-incrimination, and double jeopardy (being charged for the same crime twice)

Judicial Review

The responsibility of the Supreme Court and the rest of the federal judiciary to determine if a law is constitutional

4th Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against unlawful searches and seizures

Executive Privilege

the power of the President to resist certain legal subpoenas and investigations by the legislative and judicial branches

Plessy v. Ferguson

1896: The Supreme Court ruled in this case that racial segregation for public facilities was constitutional, as long as they were "separate but equal."

Due Process Rights / Assurances

The legal obligation of the government to respect an individual's legal rights, guaranteed by the 5th and 14th amendments.

2nd Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against restrictions of the right to bear arms

21st Amendment

Repealed the Eighteenth Amendment in 1933 by ending prohibition (Remember with: you need to be 21 to Drink)

Session

The term of the Texas Legislature when they meet every other Spring.

16th Amendment

Allows the government to collect taxes on income

13th Amendment

Made slavery illegal in the United States.

3rd Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects against the quartering of troops in homes

Marbury v. Madison

1803: Established Judicial Review, which allows the Supreme Court to rule a law unconstitutional and void the law

Articles of Confederation

The first written constitution in the colonies, ratified in 1781.

Federalism

The system of shared power between the national government and the state and local governments

War Powers Act

restrains the ability of presidents to commit military troops without congressional approval

14th Amendment

Declared that all persons born or naturalized in the US would be US citizens and citizens in the state in which they live. Gave all citizens due process.

10th Amendment

limits the power of the federal government and protects the rights of the states and the people by reserving powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or to the people

7th Amendment

Amendment to the US Constitution which protects the right to a jury trial in civil cases

Dred Scott v. Sanford

Supreme Court case ruled that Black Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue in court or protection under the law, regardless of slavery status; overturned by the 13th and 14th Amendments after the Civil War