#4 Handout Test Flashcards
What does Preamble mean for the Constitution?
The introduction to the Constitution.
Who is James Madison?
James Madison was the 4th President of the United States and is considered to be the father of the Constitution.
Who wrote the Preamble and is thought to have written the document?
Gouverneur Morris of NY physically wrote the Preamble and is thought to have written the document.
Is Gouverneur Morris actually a governor?
No he is not, that is just his first name.
What is Gouverneur Morris often called?
The “Penman of the Constitution”.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson.
Who else contributed to the Constitution and where were they from? But who was credited?
John Adams (Va.), Ben Franklin (Pa.), Alexander Hamilton (NY), Thomas Jefferson (Va.), John Jay (NY), and George Washington (Va) all contributed ideas, but in the end, credit is given to James Madison and Gouverneur Morris.
What does “We the People” mean in the Preamble?
White men, writing in their power construct.
“In order to form a more perfect Union”. What does more perfect union mean?
Article 5- there are rules to amend the Constitution.
What does Justice mean?
Fairness
What does insure (domestic Tranquility) mean?
Calmness within the country.
What does (defence) mean?
Protect
What does Welfare mean?
Safety
What does Posterity mean?
To write for future generations. (Constitution was not just a one year thing)
What does ordain mean?
To approve
What did the framework establish for the Constitution? Where?
Checks and Balances & a Separation of Powers. (Preamble)
What are the Seven Articles?
Article I: Legislative Branch
Article II: Executive Branch
Article III: Judicial Branch
Article IV: Relationships between the states/ The States
Article V: Adding of Amendments
Article VI: The Constitution the law of the land/ Supremacy
Article VII: Ratification
What does bicameral mean?
Two houses (legislative)
What are the two houses in Congress?
The Senate and the H.O.R.
What is the Legislative Branches major responsibility?
To make the laws.
WHY is the H.O.R known as the Lower House? What is the H.O.R term?
The H.O.R is closer to the people because their term is only 2 years and they are constantly asking the people what they need in order to get re-elected.
How is the H.O.R elected by districts/counties in a state?
By areas of a state.
How old do you have to be in order to run for the House?
25 years old.
How long do you have to be a citizen in the U.S to run for the House?
7 years in the U.S.
How is the number of Representatives/ state determined by?
State Population
Census
Every ten years we take a count of the population of each state to see if the state has increased or decreased in population to see if the state will gain or lose a representative in the House.
What are the three reasons we need to take a census?
- To find out the amount of representatives in the House for each state. (Based on population)
- Effects the amount of people in the electoral college per state.
- Effects how much money the federal government gives to the states. (Larger populated states= more money due to having to make more roads and bridges and more people)
What does impeachment mean? Who does it? Why would they impeach?
The H.O.R accuses the President. The H.O.R impeaches a President if they committed a really high crime that disrespects the Constitution.
Who is the Speaker of the H.O.R in 2023?
Kevin McCarthy (a republican)
What are the responsibilites of the Speaker of the House?
- Majority leader of the party in the H.O.R.
- Sets legislation- Powerful!
- Breaks a tie- unique (never really happens)
Why it is powerful for the Speaker of the House to set legislation?
It is powerful because you can set what will be discussed. It is your opinion and can put your party over the good of the country.
Why is the Senate called the “Upper House” and who did this make happy?
The Senate is called the Upper House because they were more pretigist than the H.O.R. and the smaller populated states were happy.
What is the term for the Senate?
6 years, but there is no term limit.
How old do you have to be to become a member of the Senate?
30 years old.
How long do you have to be a citizen in the U.S to run for the Senate?
9 years of citizenship.
Is the Senate elected by the entire state?
Yes, the Senate is elected by the entire state.