FCLE EXAM

Social Contract

Governments exist by agreement; citizens obey laws in exchange for protection.

Consent of the Governed

Power of government comes from the people.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness — rights no one can take away.

Limited Government

Government power is restricted by law.

Representative Government

Citizens elect leaders to represent them.

Articles of Confederation

America's first constitution; weak central government.

Weakness 1

No power to tax.

Weakness 2

No executive or judicial branches.

Article I

Legislative branch makes laws.

Article II

Executive branch enforces laws.

Article III

Judicial branch interprets laws.

Popular Sovereignty

People hold the ultimate authority.

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives; civic virtue.

Limited Government (Constitution)

Government only has powers people give it.

Federalism

Power shared between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

3 branches divide power.

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits the others.

Individual Rights

Freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights.

Federalists

Supported Constitution; wanted strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed Constitution; wanted Bill of Rights.

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms.

4th Amendment

No unreasonable searches or seizures.

5th Amendment

Due process; no double jeopardy or self-incrimination.

6th Amendment

Right to fair and speedy trial; lawyer.

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment.

10th Amendment

Powers not given to federal government go to states/people.

15th Amendment

Gave Black men the right to vote.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Ended poll taxes.

26th Amendment

Voting age set to 18.

Monarchy

Rule by a king or queen.

Democracy

Power rests with the people.

Republic

No monarchy; elected leaders.

Authoritarian

One ruler; limited freedoms.

Fascism

Dictatorship; extreme nationalism; no opposition.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Federal power > state power.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

"Separate but equal" segregation.

Brown v. Board (1954)

Ended school segregation.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Illegal evidence can't be used in court.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

No school-sponsored prayer.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Right to a lawyer in all cases.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Miranda rights before questioning.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Student free speech rights.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Religious freedom for Amish education.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Abortion protected under right to privacy.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Schools can censor school-sponsored speech.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Corporations have political free-speech rights.

DC v. Heller (2008)

Individual right to own guns.

Legislative Branch

Makes laws.

Executive Branch

Enforces laws.

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws.

Congress

Senate (100, 6-year terms) + House (435, 2-year terms).

President Term

4 years, 2 terms max (10 years total).

Supreme Court

9 Justices appointed by President.

Supreme Law

The Constitution.

Capital of Florida

Tallahassee.

Governor of Florida

Ron DeSantis.

Chief Justice

John Roberts.

Rule of Law

Everyone must follow the law.

Checks and Balances (Gov)

Keeps any one branch from being too powerful.

Federal Power Example

Declare war or coin money.

State Power Example

Manage education or courts.

Who signs bills into law?

The President.

Who can declare war?

Congress.

Who commands the military?

The President.

Who nominates Supreme Court Justices?

The President.

Who confirms Supreme Court Justices?

The Senate.

How many amendments?

27.

First words of the Constitution

"We the People."

Economic System of U.S.

Capitalism / Free Market.