Required Foundational Documents & SCOTUS CASES UNIT 2:

The Constitution

The supreme law of the land outlining the framework for the federal government, including the three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

Federalist 51

An essay by James Madison explaining the necessity of checks and balances in government to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that political power is not concentrated in any one branch of government by giving each branch some measure of influence over the other branches.

Federalist 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton advocating for a strong, energetic executive led by a single president for effective leadership.

Federalist 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton discussing the judiciary's role and the importance of an independent judiciary that ensures laws align with the Constitution.

Article I of the Constitution

Establishes the legislative branch (Congress), creating a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives and the Senate.

17th Amendment

Ratified in 1913, it established the direct election of U.S. senators by the people instead of by state legislatures.

POTUS

Acronym for President of the United States, defined in Article II of the Constitution.

22nd Amendment

Ratified in 1951, it limits the president to two terms in office.

25th Amendment

Ratified in 1967, it outlines presidential succession procedures in case of incapacity and addresses vice presidential vacancies.

SCOTUS

Acronym for Supreme Court of the United States, established under Article III of the Constitution.

Article III of the Constitution

Establishes the judicial branch, creating the Supreme Court and outlining its jurisdiction.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Supreme Court case ruling that federal courts can intervene in redistricting cases, establishing 'one person, one vote' principle.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Supreme Court case ruling that racial gerrymandering, which draws districts primarily based on race, can violate the Equal Protection Clause.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution.