FCLE study guide

Declaration of Independence

Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson; articulated unalienable rights: 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.'

U.S. Constitution

Established the framework for the federal government and created three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written to argue for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional, established by Marbury v. Madison.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Granted citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S. and guaranteed equal protection under the law.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Affirmed the implied powers of Congress and the supremacy of federal law.

Brown v. Board of Education

Declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Civic Duties

Actions required by law, such as jury duty.

Naturalization

The process through which a foreign citizen becomes a citizen of the United States.

Federalism

The distribution of power between the national government and the states.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

2nd Amendment

Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms.

Miranda Rights

Rights that must be read to a suspect upon arrest, established in Miranda v. Arizona.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legalizing segregation.

Voting Age

The legal age to vote, set by the 26th Amendment at 18 years.