Civics Literacy Test Flashcards
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
- the Supreme Court upheld the power of the national government and denied the right of a state to tax the federal bank using the Constitution’s supremacy clause
- The Court’s broad interpretation of the necessary and proper clause paved the way for later rulings upholding expansive federal powers
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
The U.S Supreme Court held for the first time that public schools can limit what appears in school-sponsored student publications.
Bush v. Gore (2000)
The court ruled that manual recounts of presidential ballots in the Nov. 2000 election could not proceed because inconsistent evaluation
president
- head of the executive branch
- powers: enforces laws, signs/vetos bills, negotiates treaties, nominates Supreme Court justices
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
1857 Supreme Court decision that stated that slaves were not citizens; that living in a free state or territory, did not free slaves
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)`
- Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson
- declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated
popular sovereignty
- a belief that ultimate power resides in the people
- the people rule
American Revolution
- war between Great Britain and its American colonies
- how the colonies won their independence
selective service act
law requiring men to register for military service
civil rights movement
movement in the United States beginning in the 1960s to establish civil rights
mayor
head of a city’s government elected by the people who are citizens of that city
Judicial Review (Marbury v. Madison0
Supreme Court decides if laws passed by Congress or President are constitutional
supremacy clause
- in article 4 of the Constitution
- makes the Constitution the supreme law of the land
- states cannot pass laws that conflict with federal law
social contract theory
belief that people are free and equal by natural right, but will give up some freedom to give power to the government so that the government can protect their rights
Anti-Federalist papers
a series of essays written to counter and defeat the proposed U.S. Constitution; argued against a strong central government and pushed for more protection of the people’s rights
consent of the governed
idea that our government derives its power from the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government
Common Sense
- written by Thomas Paine
- pamphlet that advocated for the colonies declaring independence from Britain
- supported the need for a democratic government where the people had representation
equal protection clause
- clause in the 14th amendment
- forbids any state to deny any person equal protection under the laws
- the major constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against persons because of race, national origin, or sex
due process of law
fair treatment through the normal judicial system
rule of law
- no one is above the law
- everyone must follow the law regardless of their position of power
- established by the Magna Carta of 1215
US Constitution
- “supreme law of the land”
- was written at a constitutional convention in Philadelphia in 1787
declaration of independence
- written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776
- established 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.
natural rights
- rights people have by the virtue of being human beings
- both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the government’s role in protecting those rights
Mayflower Compact
- the first agreement for self government in America in 1620
- signed by 41 men on Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony (pilgrims)