Introduction to U.S. Government and Constitutional Law

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the U.S. Government and Constitutional Law lecture notes.

We the People

The first three words of the Constitution.

The Constitution

The Supreme Law of the Land.

Federalist Papers

Essays supporting the Constitution.

Hamilton, Madison, Jay

Writers of the Federalist Papers.

Shay's Rebellion

Led to the Constitutional Convention.

Electoral College

Chooses the chief executive.

First Amendment

Protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Amendment

A change or addition to the Constitution.

14th Amendment

Prevents racial inequality at state level.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits quartering of soldiers.

4th Amendment

Provides protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process, prohibits double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial.

7th Amendment

Ensures the right to trial by jury in civil cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Affirms rights retained by the people.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers to the states.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship and equal protection under law.

15th Amendment

Guarantees the right to vote regardless of race.

Magna Carta

Document that limited the king's power.

Foundation of limited government

How Americans viewed the Magna Carta.

Mayflower Compact

Document that created a civil body politic.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances

Document that protested the Stamp Act.

Common Sense

Pamphlet advocating for American independence.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring U.S. independence.

Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness

Three rights listed in the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

Weakness included no power to tax or enforce laws.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the U.S.

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws.

U.S. v. Nixon

Case that limited executive privilege.

Marbury v. Madison

Case that established Judicial Review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Ruling that upheld implied powers of Congress.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress broad powers.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Federal ruling on power over interstate commerce.

Dred Scott

Decision stating African Americans are not citizens; slavery allowed in territories.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Upholds the principle of 'Separate but Equal'.

Lochner v. New York

Overturned labor law limiting work hours.

Schenck v. U.S.

Case concerning free speech and danger.

Korematsu v. U.S.

Upheld internment camps during wartime.

Brown v. Board

Ruling that desegregated public schools.

First Amendment cases

Notable cases include Tinker, Engel, and Schenck.

Engel v. Vitale

Case concerning school prayer.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Black armbands case about student free speech.

Right to privacy cases

Notable cases include Griswold, Roe, and Katz.

Roe v. Wade

Limited states by preventing abortion bans in the first trimester.

Griswold v. Connecticut

Struck down contraceptive ban for violating privacy.