FCLE Review - Competency Principles, Amendments, and Landmark Cases

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering constitutional principles, foundational writings, 14th Amendment clauses, and the 26 landmark Supreme Court cases for the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE).

Federalist No. 10

Federalist essay written by James Madison arguing that factions are dangerous and that a large republic controls them best.

Federalist No. 14

Federalist essay written by James Madison arguing that a republic can cover a large territory, unlike a pure democracy.

Federalist No. 31

Federalist essay written by Alexander Hamilton arguing that the national government must have the power to tax.

Federalist No. 39

Federalist essay written by James Madison arguing that the government is partly federal, partly national, and republican.

Federalist No. 51

Federalist essay written by James Madison concerning separation of powers and checks and balances, famously stating 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.'

Federalist No. 78

Federalist essay written by Alexander Hamilton presenting the argument for judicial independence and judicial review.

Brutus 1

Anti-Federalist paper arguing that a republic as large as the United States cannot remain free.

Social Contract

The agreement in which people consent to form a government to protect their natural rights.

Consent of the Governed

The principle that a government's authority is legitimate only because the people agreed to it.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that all political power ultimately resides continuously in the people ('We the People').

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental power horizontally into three distinct branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) each with its own role.

Checks and Balances

The system allowing one branch of government to interfere with or block the actions of another branch.

Rule of Law

The principle that all people, including leaders and lawmakers, are subject to the same laws.

Independent Judiciary

A court system protected from political pressure through Constitutional mechanisms like Article III life tenure and salary protection.

Citizenship Clause

Clause in Section 1 of the 14th Amendment establishing that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens, overturning Dred Scott.

Due Process Clause (14th Amendment)

Clause prohibiting states from depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property without fair procedures; also serves as the vehicle for incorporation.

Equal Protection Clause

Clause in Section 1 of the 14th Amendment prohibiting any state from denying any person equal treatment under the law.

Incorporation

The legal process of applying Bill of Rights protections to state governments through the 14th Amendment Due Process Clause.

Exclusionary Rule

The legal principle established in Mapp v. Ohio that illegally obtained evidence cannot be used at trial.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Landmark Supreme Court case that established judicial review, allowing courts to strike down unconstitutional laws.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Landmark Supreme Court case establishing implied powers of Congress and federal supremacy over the states.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Supreme Court case holding that Black Americans were not citizens; later overturned by the 14th Amendment.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Supreme Court case that established the 'separate but equal' doctrine and upheld legal segregation.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Supreme Court case establishing the 'clear and present danger' rule to limit speech during wartime.

Korematsu v. United States (1944)

Supreme Court case that upheld Japanese American internment during World War II.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Supreme Court case that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson by ruling that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

4th Amendment Supreme Court case applying the exclusionary rule to the states.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Supreme Court case establishing that legislative redistricting is reviewable by federal courts, paving the way for 'one person, one vote'.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Supreme Court case holding that school-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

6th Amendment Florida case ruling that states must provide a free lawyer to poor criminal defendants.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

5th Amendment Supreme Court case requiring police to warn suspects of their rights before questioning.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Supreme Court case ruling that students retain symbolic free speech rights at school.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

1st Amendment Supreme Court ruling against prior restraint, allowing publication of the Pentagon Papers.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Supreme Court ruling that Amish families are exempt from compulsory school attendance beyond 8th grade under the Free Exercise Clause.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Supreme Court case that recognized a constitutional right to privacy regarding abortion (overturned in 2022).

United States v. Nixon (1974)

Supreme Court case holding that executive privilege is not absolute, enforcing the rule of law on a sitting president.

Regents of Univ. of California v. Bakke (1978)

Supreme Court case ruling that racial quotas in university admissions are unconstitutional, though race may be used as one factor.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Supreme Court case establishing that a school may censor a school-sponsored newspaper.

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Supreme Court case ruling that flag burning is symbolic speech protected by the 1st Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Supreme Court case holding that racial gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Supreme Court case placing a limit on Congress's powers under the Commerce Clause.

Bush v. Gore (2000)

Supreme Court case that ended the 2000 Florida presidential recount on Equal Protection grounds.

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Supreme Court case establishing that the 2nd Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Supreme Court case that incorporated the 2nd Amendment individual right to bear arms against state governments via the 14th Amendment.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Supreme Court case ruling that independent campaign spending is political speech protected by the 1st Amendment.

The Bully Pulpit

The term for a president using public advocacy and speaking to influence public opinion and push policy reforms.