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Amendment

A formal or official change, addition, or deletion made to a legal document, constitution, or legislative text.

Popular sovereignty

The political principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, establishing that federal law and treaties take precedence over conflicting state laws.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, granting federal courts the power to declare acts of Congress and the executive branch unconstitutional.

Power to declare war

An exclusive constitutional power granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 11.

14th Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guaranteeing equal protection and due process of law.

Differences between State Constitutions and the U.S. Constitution

State constitutions are typically much longer, more detailed, easier to amend, and contain specific local policies rather than just a foundational framework.

Main function of the Judicial Branch

To interpret laws, apply them to individual cases, and determine whether executive or legislative actions violate the Constitution.

Authors of The Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Purpose of The Federalist Papers

To persuade New York voters to ratify the proposed United States Constitution.

Unique feature of Nebraska's legislature

It is the only state legislature in the U.S. that is unicameral (one house) and officially nonpartisan.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Supreme Court case establishing that federal courts can hear lawsuits regarding legislative redistricting to enforce equal representation.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation laws under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Landmark Supreme Court case ruling that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Supreme Court case establishing that suspects must be informed of their constitutional rights—including the right to remain silent and to an attorney—before police interrogation.

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

Supreme Court case ruling that flag burning is protected symbolic speech under the First Amendment.

First Amendment protections

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Second Amendment protections

Guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear firearms.

Example of Congressional checks and balances

Congress overriding a presidential veto of a bill with a two-thirds vote in both houses.

Eighth Amendment shift regarding juvenile death penalty

The Supreme Court permitted juvenile executions in Stanford v. Kentucky (1989), but overturned it in Roper v. Simmons (2005), ruling that juvenile capital punishment violates the Eighth Amendment.