Constitution - Important Questions Flashcards
The main duty of the legislative branch (Congress) is to
Make (write) laws
The 2 main duties of the Executive Branch (President) are to:
- Administer (enforce) laws
2. Appoint ambassadors (including supreme court justices)
The main duty of the judicial branch (supreme court) is to
Interpret (explain) the Constitution + laws
The Constitution has lasted over 200 years due to
Its framework and flexibility
What type of government is the U.S.?
Democratic Republic
Explain this part of the Preamble: “In order to from a mor perfect union”
To create a union in which states work together
No tax placed on products that are shipped from one state to another
The Constitution states that no tax should be placed on
Products that are shipped from one state to another
Explain this part of the Preamble: “Ensure domestic tranquility”
To keep peace within the country (hire police officers)
Explain this part of the Preamble: “Provide a common defense”
To keep the country safe against attack (bombers, tanks, guns)
Explain this part of the Preamble: “Promote the general welfare”
Contribute to the well being and happiness of all people (Protects against natural disasters including tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods)
Explain this part of the Preamble: “and secure the blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity
Protect citizens rights (freedom of press, assembly, petition, religion, etc.)
The U.S. Legislature is a
Bicameral (2 house) system
The legislature consists of what two houses? What are they based on?
House of Representatives- # of representatives based on population
Senate - based on equality - 2 senators each
Who is our representative in Franklin?
Marsha Blackburn
Name Tennessee’s 2 senators:
Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander
What body has the sole power to impeach?
House of Representatives
Name the order of succession from the president if he dies.
Vice president, speaker of the house, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State
Name 2 of the President’s powers.
- Make treaties and appoint officials (including justices to the supreme court)
- Appoints a cabinet to advise him and help him enforce the laws
The Marbury vs. Madison case oversees what?
the judicial review case
The judicial branch rules on what?
Whether something is unconstitutional or constitutional.
Define Amendment
The changing or correcting of the Constitution
Either _____ or _____ can propose an amendment to the Constitution
2/3 of both houses in congress
2/3 of the states requesting a convention to propose amendments
Either _____ or _____ can ratify an amendment
3/4 of state ratification
3/4 of state legislatures
Ratify means
To approve
A federal system of government…
Divides powers between states and federal government
The powers assigned to the national government are called
Delegated powers
Name 1 main delegated power
Declare war
The powers kept by the states are known as
Reserved states
Name 2 main reserved powers
Establish and maintain schools
Make marriage laws
The powers shared by the federal and state governments are called
Concurrent powers
Name 2 important concurrent powers
- Maintain law and order (enforce laws)
2. Levy (raise) taxes
The Bill of Rights are listed in the first _____ amendments of the Constitution
10
In the first amendment, 5 rights are mentioned. Name 2 of the most important ones and explain them
- Freedom of Assembly - right to peaceably protest government policies
- Freedom of the Press - The press can express their own opinions
Name the 2 clauses that go with Freedom of Religion and explain them. Asterisk the most important one.
- Establishment clause - separation of church and state - government cannot establish a particular religion
- Free exercise clause - you can practice your religion however you want to
- Establishment clause - separation of church and state - government cannot establish a particular religion
Under the free exercise clause, one cannot (1):
Break the law and claim it was a religious belief
Under the freedom of speech, one cannot (1):
Create too much social chaos
According to the freedom of assembly, congress shall make no law
abridging the people to peaceably assemble
Under the freedom of assembly, one cannot (3):
- Protest by throwing rocks and breaking windows.
- Hang out on private land against the owner’s will
- Minors cannot protest past curfew
Under the freedom of assembly, one can (1):
Join any political party
What is the 2nd amendment?
The right to bear arms to protect yourself
What is the 3rd amendment?
Quartering troops (the government cannot force you to house a soldier)
The 4th amendment….
Guards against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon (unless of)the Probable Cause (Supported by oath or affirmation, it particularly describes the place or person to be searched.)
According to the 5th amendment,
You don’t have to testify against yourself (pleading the 5th or self incrimination)
According to the 6th amendment, if you are accused of a crime, you have the right to what 2 main things?
- A speedy trial
2. A trial in front of an impartial jury
The 7th amendment states that
Trials must be held in front of a jury
The 8th amendment states that
The government cannot set your bail really high or make you pay excessive fines (arguments over defining excessive)
According to the 9th amendment,
The rights listed in the bill of Rights cannot be taken away from the citizens of the United States
According to the 10th amendment,
Any rights or privileges not laid out in the constitution go to the states or the people. (Limits the authority of the federal government)
The bill of rights protects the people accused of a crime with what process? What is it?
Due process; even if you’re accused of a crime, you still have rights to protect you.
