FCLE

Electoral College

The system established by the Constitution for electing the President through electors chosen by each state.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, adopted in 1781, which established a weak national government.

Great Compromise

Introduced by Roger Sherman, it created a bicameral legislature with the Senate and House of Representatives.

3/5 Compromise

An agreement counting three-fifths of a state's slave population for representation and tax purposes.

Federalism

The division of power between federal and state governments.

Checks and Balances

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

Executive Branch

The branch of government headed by the President, responsible for enforcing laws.

Engel v. Vitale

A Supreme Court case ruling that school-sponsored prayer violates the separation of church and state.

Miranda v. Arizona

The Supreme Court case that established the requirement for individuals in custody to be informed of their rights.

Mapp v. Ohio

Supreme Court ruling that evidence obtained unlawfully cannot be used in state court.

In Re Gault

Case establishing that juveniles have due process rights in delinquency proceedings.

Bill

A proposed law that is drafted before being formally introduced in legislation.

Chief Justice

The head of the United States Supreme Court.

Commander-in-Chief

The President's role as the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Governor

The chief executive of a state.

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Veto

The President's power to reject a bill proposed by Congress.

Impeachment

A formal process to charge a government official with misconduct.

Presidential Succession

The order in which officials replace the President in case of a vacancy.

U.S. Supreme Court

The highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States.

Intolerable Acts

A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest where American colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Amendment 9

Indicates that people's rights are not limited to those specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Amendment 10

States that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Amendment 11

Prevents federal courts from hearing suits against states without consent.

Amendment 12

Requires separate ballots for President and Vice President in electoral votes.

Amendment 13

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States.

Amendment 14

Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born in the U.S.

Amendment 15

Prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race or color.

Amendment 16

Allows Congress to levy an income tax.

Amendment 17

Establishes that U.S. Senators are elected by popular vote.

Amendment 18

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.

Amendment 19

Grants women the right to vote.

Amendment 20

Changes presidential inauguration date to January 20.

Citizenship Rights & Responsibilities

Entitlements and duties of individuals in a political state.

Constitutional Convention

A gathering of delegates in 1787 aimed at revising the Articles of Confederation.

Amendment 1

Protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Amendment 2

Protects the right to bear arms.

Amendment 3

Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers in private homes.

Amendment 4

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Amendment 5

Guarantees due process and protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Amendment 6

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial.

Amendment 7

Provides the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

Amendment 8

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Two-Party System

A political system dominated by two major parties.

Amendment 21

Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending prohibition.

Amendment 22

Limits the President to two terms in office.

Amendment 23

Gives residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote for President.

Amendment 24

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

Amendment 25

Establishes procedures for presidential succession.

Amendment 26

Guarantees the right to vote to citizens aged 18 or older.

Amendment 27

Prevents Congress from raising its own salary until after the next election.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court case upholding the constitutionality of racial segregation under 'separate but equal'.

Civic Duty

The belief in the importance of participating in civic and political responsibilities.

Civic Responsibility

The obligations of a citizen, such as voting and serving on juries.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal government and the states.

Delegated Powers

Powers expressly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to make laws deemed necessary and proper for carrying out its duties.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to Congress.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary for the government to function.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws and includes the Supreme Court.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

Popular Sovereignty

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

Preamble to the Constitution

The introductory statement outlining the purpose of the Constitution.

President pro tempore of the Senate

The member of the Senate chosen to preside in the Vice President's absence.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress where representation is based on population.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

The presiding officer and leader of the House of Representatives.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, with two senators from each state.

Free Exercise Clause

Part of the First Amendment ensuring freedom to practice any religion.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Supreme Court ruling requiring states to provide counsel to defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Supreme Court ruling affirming students' rights to free speech in public schools.

English Bill of Rights

A document limiting the powers of the Crown, influencing the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Mayflower Compact

The first governing document of Plymouth Colony, establishing self-governance.

Natural Rights

The rights that individuals have simply by being human.

Declaration of Independence

The document declaring the 13 colonies free from British rule.

U.S. Constitution

The foundational document establishing the framework of the U.S. government.

Rule of Law

The principle that no one is above the law.

Due Process of Law

Legal requirement ensuring fair treatment through the judicial system.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the Fourteenth Amendment that prohibits racial discrimination.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for American independence.

Consent of the Governed

The idea that the government's legitimacy comes from the consent of its citizens.

Anti-Federalist Papers

Essays opposing the Constitution which favored states' rights.

Social Contract Theory

The theory that individuals consent to form a government to protect their rights.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of laws.

Mayor

The elected head of a city government.

Civil Rights Movement

The social movement aimed at securing civil rights for African Americans.

Selective Service Act

Law requiring men to register for military service.

American Revolution

The conflict between Great Britain and its American colonies, leading to independence.

Popular Sovereignty

The doctrine that the government is created by and subject to the will of the people.

Brown v. Board of Education

The Supreme Court decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

The Supreme Court ruling that declared enslaved individuals were not citizens.

President

The head of the executive branch with various powers including enforcing laws.

Bush v. Gore

Supreme Court decision effectively resolving the 2000 presidential election.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

Supreme Court ruling permitting schools to limit school-sponsored student publications.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case that established the national government's superiority over the states.