FCLE stack 8

democracy

type of government where power is derived from the people and the people elect representation

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

state courts are required under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants who are unable to afford their own attorneys.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1968)

the court decided that the First Amendment applied to public schools, and that administrators would have to demonstrate constitutionally valid reasons for any specific regulation of speech in the classroom.

English Bill of Rights

Document written by English Parliament in 1689, designed to prevent abuse of power by English monarchs; parts of the US Bill of Rights have foundation in that document

Mayflower Compact

1620 - the first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony (Pilgrims).

natural rights

rights people have by virtue of being human beings; both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the government’s role in protecting these rights

Declaration of Independence

This document was written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776 establishing the 13 American colonies as independent states, free from rule by Great Britain. The preamble (first section) lists our unalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

U.S. Constitution

“Supreme law of the land” was written at a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

Rule of law

No one is above the law; Everyone must follow the laws, regardless of their position of power. This was established by the Magna Carta in 1215.

due process of law

fair treatment through the normal judicial system