republic

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a 'public matter' and is not the private concern or property of the rulers.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (like states).

Cooperative Federalism

A type of federalism in which the federal government provides grants to states to encourage them to pursue certain policies.

Dual Federalism

A system of federalism where the powers of government are divided clearly between federal and state governments, often referred to as 'layer cake' federalism.

Regulated Federalism

A type of federalism where the federal government imposes regulations on states, often through mandates and conditions for funding.

Oligarchy

A form of power structure in which power resides in the hands of a small number of people.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution that requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Democratic-Republicans

An early American political party formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that opposed the Federalist Party.

The Little Rock Nine

A group of nine African American students who enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957, facing resistance and hostility.

Mendez v. Westminster

A court case in 1946 which challenged racial segregation in California schools and set important precedent for future civil rights cases.

15th Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude.'

19th Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote.