Declaration of Independence
unalienable rights, consent of the governed, grievances against the King of England
Articles of Confederation
weak national government & strong state governments
U.S. Constitution
federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, limited government, popular sovereignty
Brutus 1
the Constitution would make the federal government too strong; the country is too diverse for one central government (constant clashing of opinions) - small government would better know the will of the people
Federalist 10
factions are natural, controllable, and essential to liberty; a large republic can control the negative effects of factions
Federalist 51
separation of powers, checks and balances, ambitions of men must be controlled
Federalist 70
single, strong executive is better than a committee; strong executive can react quickly and be held accountable
Federalist 78
lifetime terms of judges to remain politically insulated and develop expertise; judicial review
Letter from a Birmingham Jail
nonviolent, direct action to combat injustices; civil disobedience
Marbury v. Madison
judicial review
McCulloch v. Maryland
Necessary and Proper Clause; Supremacy Clause
Gideon v. Wainwright
Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment; 6th Amendment right to counsel
McDonald v. Chicago
Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment; 2nd Amendment
U.S. v. Lopez
Commerce Clause
Brown v. Board of Education
Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
Baker v. Carr
Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
Shaw v. Reno
Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
Engel v. Vitale
Establishment Clause, 1st Amendment
Wisconsin v. Yoder
Free Exercise Clause, 1st Amendment
Citizens United v. FEC
Free Speech Clause of the 1st Amendment
Schenck v. U.S
Free Speech Clause of the 1st Amendment
Tinker v. Des Moines
Free Speech Clause of the 1st Amendment
NY Times Co. v. U.S.
Free Press Clause of the 1st Amendment
1st Amendment
speech, religion, assembly, petition, press
2nd Amendment
right to bear arms
6th Amendment
right to a fair trial
8th Amendment
no cruel or unusual punishment
10th Amendment
reserves powers to the states
13th Amendment
abolished slavery
14th Amendment
equal protection of the laws
15th Amendment
right to vote regardless of race
17th Amendment
direct election of senators
19th Amendment
right to vote regardless of sex
22nd Amendment
term limits for Presidents
24th Amendment
eliminates the poll tax
26th Amendment
right to vote for citizens 18 and over
Necessary and Proper Clause
allows Congress to pass laws that are necessary for executing its enumerated powers (Article I)
Commerce Clause
Congress can regulate interstate commerce (Article I)
Full Faith and Credit Clause
states must recognize the laws and documents of other states (Article IV)
Supremacy Clause
the Constitution is the highest power in the country (Article VI)
Establishment Clause
Congress cannot establish a national religion
Free Exercise Clause
people can freely practice (or not practice) a religion
Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
states must guarantee rights, privileges, and protections to all citizens
Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment
no person can be denied their life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures
Article I
Legislative Branch
Article II
Executive Branch
Article III
Judicial Branch
Article IV
Relations among states
Article V
Amending the Constitution
Civil Rights Act of 1964
ended segregation in public places; banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex
Social Security Amendments Act of 1965
Medicare = health insurance for the elderly
Medicaid = health insurance for those in poverty
(examples of mandatory spending)
Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1971/1974
regulates campaign spending and created the bipartisan FEC for campaign finance monitory
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
created the budget calendar, the CBO and budget committees in Congress; prevented the president from impounding funds
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and guarantees equal access to facilities (unfunded mandate)
National Voter Registration Act of 1993
Motor Voter Act; individuals can register to vote when getting or updating a driver's license