Constitution Flashcards
Ratify
Give Legal or official approval
Veto
To Reject
Amendment
A change to the constitution
Impeach
To accuse or charge a government official such as a president, with a misconduct, crime
Cabinet
A group of advisors to the president including the heads of important departments in the executive branch
Compromise
A way of reaching an agreement in which each person gives up something
Articles of Confederation
The first written constitution of the United States
Bill of rights
The first 10 amendments to the constitution that protects the rights and freedoms of American citizens
Bill
A draft of an idea for a law that is then considered by lawmakers
Treaty
Peace agreement between countries
Unconstitutional
Something that goes against what is written in the Constitution
Federalism
A system of government where the power is shared between a central government and the states
Who was involved with Shays rebellion?
Daniel Shay in 2000 farmers
What was Shays rebellion?
They protested their farms from being taken and farmers being thrown in jail. He asked the government for help but had no power he attacked the courthouse.
What word four weaknesses of the articles of Confederation?
- The states had different money and they printed too much money.
- there wasn’t a president or court system
- no one had to fight in a war
- Congress couldn’t force the states to pay taxes
How many states had to ratify the constitution to make it a law?
9
The leaders of the United States met at the Pennsylvania State house at first the delegates try to improve the articles of Confederation, but they seem decided that the country needed a new plan of government. What did they call their newly written government?
The Constitution
Which delegate from Virginia had a plan for a strong central government and was known as the Virginia plan?
James Madison
The delegates had a major disagreement about how states would be represented in Congress so they made a compromise. They decided there would be ________ house legislature
2
The __________ of _________ would be based on the population of the state this made the larger states happy.
House of representatives
The _______ would have ______ members from every state regardless of population. This made the smaller states happy.
Senate. , 2
Who makes up the legislative branch?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
What is the main job of the senate and House of Representatives?
To make laws
What are other jobs of the legislative branch?
Voting to declare war
Make treaties with other countries
Approves president appointment of new justices
Impeach government official
What is the term length for House of Representatives?
2 years
What is the term length for Senate?
Six years
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
435 members - based on each state’s population
How many members are in the Senate?
100 members
2 per state it doesn’t matter what size or the population
Who makes up the executive branch?
The cabinet and the president
What are other jobs of the executive branch?
Meets with foreign leaders
appoints or removes cabinet members
can veto Congress bills
is commander-in-chief of the military
What is the term length of the presidency?
Four years
What are the three requirements to become president?
Be a natural born citizen
35 years old
Live at least 14 years in the USA
Who makes up the judicial branch?
9 Justices - Supreme Court
How are the supreme court justice is chosen?
Nomination by the president and confirmation by Congress
How long are Supreme court justices term length?
For life or until they die or retire or quit
Why did the writers of the Constitution and checks and balances to the federal government?
They added checks and balances. So the government doesn’t rule the states and the states rule the government. To prevent any one branch from controlling the government.
What do the Phrases of the preamble mean? Establish justice?
Make Fair Rules
Ensure domestic tranquility
Peace at home
Promote the general welfare
Make People happy
Secure the blessing of liberty
Be thankful for our freedom
To ourselves and our posterity
To our self and everybody that comes after you
What is the 1st amendment?
Freedom of religion, assembly, press, petition and speech
🙄 how do we use the first amendment today?
You can talk to your government even if you disagree with them people in the news can say what they want as long as it’s true and you can gather together in groups. You can believe in what you want.
What is the second amendment?
The right to keep and bear arms gives people the right to own a gun
Explain the following amendments - fourth amendment?
Protecting your privacy
Fifth amendment?
you have the right to have a jury you don’t have to talk against yourself. You don’t have to be paid if you your property is used for the community
Sixth amendment?
You can have a trail near you, have a speedy trial, and have a lawyer. Last you can have witnesses speak for you
