C963 Practice Test

Primary Election

A primary in which voters indicate preferences for nominees for president of the US directly by vote or indirectly through the choice of delegates.

General Election

An election in which U.S. citizens vote for president and vice president.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each government branch to limit the powers of the others, requiring different parts of government to work together and find agreement to accomplish official actions.

The Great Depression

An economic crisis and period of low business activity that began with the stock-market crash in October 1929 and continued through most of the 1930s.

Supremacy Clause

The clause that states the Constitution and federal laws take priority over any conflicting rules of state law.

Federalists

Supporters of the new Constitution who believed a strong government would better ensure national defense and economic growth.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution who feared the power of the national government and preferred state legislatures protecting their freedoms.

Enumerated Powers

Powers granted to the Federal government, specifically Congress, listed primarily in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers that a government branch has that are not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution but are suggested.

Reserved Powers

Powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government, reserved for the states.

Concurrent Power

Powers shared by both states and the federal government.

Articles of Confederation

The first attempt at organizing the government of the United States, which created a weak national government.

Senate Election

All eligible voters within a state vote for a Senator.

House of Representatives Election

A representative is elected by only those eligible voters residing in the congressional district that the candidate will represent.

2nd Amendment

The right to bear arms.

10th Amendment

Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

6th Amendment

The right to a trial by jury in suits at common law where the value in controversy exceeds twenty dollars.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

4th Amendment

Prevents illegal search and seizure; requires a warrant with just cause.

15th Amendment

Prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and guarantees equal protection under the law.

5th Amendment

Prohibits double jeopardy and ensures due process.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court case that ruled segregation did not violate the 14th Amendment as it established the doctrine of 'separate but equal'.

Mapp v. Ohio

Supreme Court case that decided evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court.

Miller v. California

Supreme Court case that addressed obscenity rules based on community standards.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Supreme Court case that ruled same-sex marriages should have the same rights and benefits as traditional marriages.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Supreme Court case that established students retain their constitutional rights to freedom of speech in public schools.