PHS Grading Scale Exam Review

These flashcards include key vocabulary and concepts to aid in exam preparation.

Divine Right Theory

A political and religious doctrine that states god chose the next ruler, rather than consent from the people.

Direct Democracy

A form of government where citizens directly vote on policy and laws, rather than electing representatives.

Echo Chamber Effect

A phenomenon where beliefs and opinions are reinforced by repeated exposure to information that aligns with existing views.

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed uprising of indebted farmers in Massachusetts (1786-1787) led by Daniel Shays, protesting high taxes and foreclosures.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause; it allows Congress to make laws necessary for executing its enumerated powers.

Exclusionary Rule

A legal principle that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in court.

Miranda Rights

Rights that police must inform arrested individuals of, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Implicit Racial Bias

Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes about race that individuals may not be aware of.

Jim Crow Laws

State and local laws that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark case that established the principle of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A case affirming the supremacy clause, confirming that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Tinker v. Des Moines

A Supreme Court case that ruled students do not lose their right to free speech in schools.

B.L. v. Mahanoy

A case that protected a student's freedom of speech when she posted negative comments online after not making the varsity team.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

A case where the Supreme Court allowed school officials to censor student newspapers.

Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court case that legalized abortion based on a woman’s right to privacy.

Brown v. Board of Education

A landmark case declaring that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

2nd Amendment

The constitutional amendment that grants individuals the right to keep and bear arms.

10th Amendment

The amendment that outlines the division of power between the federal and state governments.

13th Amendment

The amendment that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment

This amendment reshaped citizenship and civil rights, focusing on former enslaved people.

Due Process Clause

This clause assures fair treatment through the judicial system and the application of the Bill of Rights by the states.

Equal Protection Clause

The clause that mandates equal treatment under the law, preventing discrimination.

Citizenship Clause

This clause asserts that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of race.

Separation of Powers

A principle that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no branch of government can dominate the others by allowing each to monitor and limit the powers of the others.

Federalism

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

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the government's power is derived from the consent of the governed.

Free Speech

The legal right to express one's opinions publicly without government interference.

Political Speech

Speech that directly addresses political matters, including criticism of others.

Student Free Speech

Rights of students to express opinions in schools unless it disrupts the learning environment.

Free Exercise Clause

The clause that protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely.

Establishment Clause

The clause that prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

Free Press

The right of the media to publish news and opinions without governmental censorship.

Reasonable Suspicion

A legal standard that allows police to stop and investigate a person based on specific facts.

Probable Cause

A legal standard that requires more evidence than reasonable suspicion to make an arrest or conduct a search.

Plain View Doctrine

A legal principle that allows police to seize evidence of a crime without a warrant if the evidence is visible.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing police to search a premises and seize evidence.

Absolute Monarch

A form of government where a single ruler holds all power, often justified by divine right.

Direct Democracy (Rousseau)

A government concept where the people directly make decisions rather than through elected representatives.

Constitutional Democracy (Locke)

A representative democracy grounded in the rule of law and protecting natural rights.

Representative Republic (Jefferson)

A system of government that secures the rights of individuals and limits governmental power.

Daniel Shays

The leader of Shays’ Rebellion, an armed uprising protesting economic injustices.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law or governmental action is in accordance with the constitution.

Supremacy Clause

The provision that establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

Socialism

An economic system where the means of production are owned by the state or public for collective benefit.

Liberalism

A political ideology emphasizing individual freedoms and the equality of all individuals under the law.

Conservatism

A political ideology favoring tradition, stability, and gradual change.

Nationalism

A political ideology focused on promoting and protecting the interests of a particular nation.

Anarchy

A state of society without government or law.