Florida Civics EOC key terms

The principle that political power belongs to the people, who express it through voting, elections, and consent to be governed. It underlies the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution's opening words.

The idea that a government's authority is legitimate only when the people it rules agree to be ruled. Citizens can withdraw or withhold that agreement through elections and other lawful means.

Basic freedoms and protections that belong to every person simply by being human, not granted by any government. John Locke named life, liberty, and property; Jefferson wrote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Rights that cannot be taken away or given up, because they come from human nature rather than from a ruler. The Declaration of Independence uses this phrase for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

An agreement in which people give up some freedom and obey laws in exchange for protection of their remaining rights. If a government breaks the agreement, the people may alter or replace it.

A form of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them rather than ruling directly themselves. Power rests with the people but is exercised through chosen officials bound by law.

The principle that government's power is restricted by a constitution, laws, and the rights of individuals. Officials may do only what their authority permits, and they cannot act arbitrarily.

The principle that everyone, including government leaders, must obey the law and is accountable to it. Laws are made publicly, applied equally, and no person stands above them.

Dividing government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches so no single group holds all power. Each branch has distinct duties, and each can limit the others.

The system in which each branch of government can limit the actions of the other branches. Examples include vetoes, overriding vetoes, confirming appointments, and declaring laws unconstitutional.

A system that divides governing power between a national government and state governments, with each level holding its own authority. The Constitution assigns some powers to the nation and reserves others to the states.

Specific powers granted to Congress and listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, such as coining money, declaring war, and regulating interstate commerce. Also called expressed or delegated powers.

Powers that Congress is not explicitly given but that are reasonably needed to carry out its listed powers. They rest on the necessary and proper clause and were upheld in McCulloch v. Maryland.

The final clause of Article I, Section 8 that lets Congress make all laws needed to execute its enumerated powers. It is the constitutional basis for implied powers and is often called the elastic clause.

Powers the Constitution does not give to the national government and does not forbid to the states, kept by the states under the Tenth Amendment. They include running elections, schools, and local governments.

Powers shared by both the national and state governments, such as taxing, borrowing money, building roads, and enforcing laws. When the two conflict, federal law generally prevails.

Article VI provision stating that the Constitution, federal laws made under it, and treaties are the supreme law of the land. State laws that conflict with valid federal law cannot stand.

The two-step procedure in Article V for changing the Constitution: proposal by two-thirds of Congress or a national convention, then ratification by three-fourths of states. It requires broad agreement.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect individual freedoms from federal abuse. They include speech, religion, press, assembly, bearing arms, and fair trial protections.

The amendment protecting freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. Courts generally guard these freedoms strongly but allow reasonable limits on harmful conduct.

First Amendment rule barring Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion. It keeps government from favoring one faith or forcing religious belief, while protecting free exercise.

First Amendment protection of each person's right to hold and practice religious beliefs. Government may not punish belief, though neutral laws of general application may still apply to religious conduct.

Expressing an idea through actions rather than words, such as wearing an armband or burning a flag. Courts protect much symbolic expression, though government may regulate it for important non-speech reasons.

The constitutional guarantee that government must follow fair, established procedures before depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property. It appears in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

The Fourteenth Amendment guarantee that government must treat people in similar situations alike under the law. It is the basis for striking down racial segregation and other discriminatory classifications.

The power of courts to examine laws and government actions and declare them unconstitutional when they conflict with the Constitution. It was established in Marbury v. Madison and is central to checks and balances.

The 1803 Supreme Court decision that first declared an act of Congress unconstitutional. It established judicial review, giving courts authority to interpret the Constitution and void conflicting laws.

An 1819 decision upholding the Second Bank of the United States and denying a state the power to tax it. It confirmed implied federal powers and that federal law outranks conflicting state law.

A 1969 ruling that students may express political opinions at school unless the expression substantially disrupts school work or invades others' rights. It protected symbolic speech by wearing armbands.

The 1954 decision holding that racially segregated public schools are unequal and therefore unconstitutional. It overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and helped spark the civil rights movement.

A 1963 ruling that states must provide a lawyer to criminal defendants who cannot afford one. It applied the Sixth Amendment right to counsel to state courts through the Fourteenth Amendment.

The lowest level of the federal court system, where trials are held and most federal cases begin. They hear both civil and criminal matters and decide facts as well as law.

Courts that review decisions of lower courts to check for legal errors rather than retry facts. The federal courts of appeals sit below the Supreme Court and hear appeals from district courts.

The highest court in the United States, made up of nine justices who serve for life unless removed. It has final authority over constitutional questions and hears appeals from lower federal and state courts.

The part of government that writes laws, appropriates money, and oversees the executive. At the federal level it is Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The part of government that carries out and enforces laws, headed by the president and including executive departments and agencies. The president also commands the military and conducts foreign policy.

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back with objections. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

The body of electors chosen by each state that formally elects the president and vice president. Each state's electors equal its total members of Congress, and most states use winner-take-all.

Drawing legislative district boundaries to favor a political party or group. It can dilute or concentrate voters' influence, and courts review it under equal protection and voting rights rules.

The habits and qualities of a good citizen, such as honesty, responsibility, respect for law, and concern for the common good. Civic virtue supports a healthy republic beyond merely obeying rules.

The shared benefit of everyone in a community, as opposed to private advantage. Citizens and officials weigh it when making decisions that affect the whole society.