ultimate nut

USA democracy

representative

separation of powers

The division of functions of government into legislative, judicial, and executive branches

amendment changed the way presidents and vice presidents are elected by placing them on the same ticket

12th

right to vote

• White men without land

• Black men

• White women

• Native Americans

proclamation of 1763

Forbade the colonists to purchase land or settle west of the Appalachian Mountains

quartering act

Colonists were forced to house British troops

townshed acts

Colonists were forced to pay additional taxes on everyday items like glass, tea, and paint

stamp act

Colonists were forced to pay for special markings on official documents in an effort to raise funds.

representative democracy

republic

incorporation amendment

14th amendment

federal

creates two relatively autonomous levels of government, each possessing the authority granted to them by the national constitution

federalism

power is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and smaller political units (states or provinces)

presidential candidate Electoral College votes

270

Constitutional Amendments directly address due process

4 and 5

Three-Fifths Compromise disagreement

Census counts for representation purposes

Native American voting year

1940

inalienable rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

most powerful member of the Senate

Senate Majority Leader

4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th amendments

rights of the criminally accused

first form of government after the Revolutionary war

Articles of Confederation

Wealth of Nations

Capitalism

political system in which people govern themselve

Democracy

due process clauses

5 and 14

Delegate

elected official who makes decisions based on the public opinion of his or her constituents is using this model of representation.

bicameral

Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan

concurrent powers

Both states and national government

enumerated powers

National Congress

States

Reserved powers

constitutional powers

Article I

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court giving itself the power of judicial review

Dred Scott v. Stanford

Supreme Court case was rendered moot (irrelevant) by the 14th amendment

block grant

type of grant that comes with less stringent federal administrative conditions and provide recipients more latitude over how to spend grant funds

categorical grant

a federal transfer formulated to limit recipients' discretion in the use of funds and subject to strict administrative criteria

unfunded mandate

federal laws and regulations that impose obligations on state and local governments without fully compensating them for the costs of implementation

checks and balances

limit the power of government by making each branch dependent on the others

Gibbons v. Ogden

power to regulate interstate commerce

civil liberties

right to freedom of religion

formerly enslaved men the right to vote

15

women the right to vote

19

supreme law of the land

United States Constitution

Bill order

A Member of Congress sponsors a bill

The bill is reviewed by the relevant Committee

The bill goes to the chamber floor for debate and a vote

the bill moves on to the next chamber's relevant committee

The bill goes to the next chamber's floor for debate and a vote

The bill goes to a conference committee

The bill goes to the president for a signature or veto

Bill of Rights

first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution

Government

The organizational system that manages society and enforces rules.

Politics

The process of gaining, using, and negotiating power within government.

Capitalism

An economic system where individuals own and control production; commonly paired with democracy.

Public Goods

Government‑provided goods/services that private markets cannot supply sufficiently.

Common Goods

Resources available to all but must be protected by government.

Private Goods

Excludable goods produced by private businesses.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect officials to make decisions for them.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly participate in government decision‑making.

Elite Theory

Political power is controlled by a small group of wealthy, influential individuals.

Pluralist Theory

Power is shared among competing interest groups.

Social Capital

The value of social networks and the willingness of people to work together.

Individual Civic Engagement

Personal political actions like voting or donating.

Group Civic Engagement

Collective actions like protesting, volunteering, or campaigning.

Socioeconomic Influence on Civic Engagement

Wealthier and more educated individuals participate more in politics.

Articles of Confederation Amendment Rule

Required unanimous approval from all 13 states.

Constitutional Amendment Process

Proposed by 2/3 of Congress or states; ratified by 3/4 of states.

Articles of Confederation Economic Weaknesses

No power to tax, regulate commerce, or support national currency.

Virginia Plan

Strong national government with power over states.

New Jersey Plan

Limited national government; states retain authority.

Great Compromise

House elected by people; Senate elected by state legislatures.

Slave Trade Protections

Foreign slave trade allowed until 1808; domestic trade protected; fugitive slaves returned.

Judicial Review

Power to declare laws unconstitutional; established in Marbury v. Madison.

Impeachment

House votes to charge an official.

Removal

Senate votes (2/3) to convict and remove.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law overrides conflicting state law.

Federalists

Supported Constitution; Hamilton and Madison.

Anti‑Federalists

Opposed Constitution without a Bill of Rights; Patrick Henry and George Mason.

Federalism

Power shared between national and state governments.

Unitary System

Central government holds all authority.

Federation

Power divided between national and state governments.

Confederation

States hold most power; central government is weak.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by federal and state governments.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out enumerated powers.

Restrictions on State Power

States cannot coin money, enter treaties, tax imports, maintain armies, violate contracts, or discriminate against citizens of other states.

New Federalism

Nixon/Reagan effort to return power to states.

Categorical Grants

Federal funds with strict rules.

Block Grants

Federal funds with flexible use.

Unfunded Mandates

Federal requirements without full funding.

Civil Liberties

Protections from government interference.

Civil Rights

Guarantees of equal treatment by government.

Incorporation

Applying the Bill of Rights to states via the 14th Amendment.

Freedom of Expression

Includes speech, press, assembly, petition, symbolic speech.

Warrant Exceptions

Consent, exigent circumstances, plain view.

Fifth Amendment

Grand jury, double jeopardy, self‑incrimination, due process.

Sixth Amendment

Speedy trial, public trial, impartial jury, confront witnesses, call witnesses, right to counsel.

Rational Basis Test

Lowest scrutiny; law must be rationally related to a legitimate interest.

Intermediate Scrutiny

Used for gender; law must be substantially related to an important interest.

Strict Scrutiny

Highest level; used for race, religion; law must serve a compelling interest.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery.

Fourteenth Amendment

Citizenship, due process, equal protection.

Brown v. Board of Education

Ended “separate but equal” in schools.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Outlawed discrimination; justified under interstate commerce power.

Lawrence v. Texas

Struck down laws criminalizing same‑sex intimacy.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Legalized same‑sex marriage nationwide.

2020 LGBTQ+ Ruling

Banned employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Roles of Congress

Lawmaking, constituent service, oversight, policy education, conflict resolution.

Implied Powers

Powers inferred from enumerated powers.