Constitution Test Flashcards
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What is the Preamble? What does it say?
Introduction or opening statement to the Constitution.
Lists the six goals
Starts with “We the People”
Explain the six goals of the Constitution.
Form a more perfect Union: to make a better country (ex: having one currency for the entire nation instead of each state having its own money)
Establish justice: create fairness (ex: having a court system)
Ensure domestic tranquility: have peace within the country (ex: National Guard)
Provide for the common defense: protecting the nation from outside threats (ex: military)
Promote the general welfare: providing services to meet people’s needs (ex: food stamps, health care, education)
Secure the blessings of liberty: protect people’s freedoms now and in the future
What section of the Constitution sets up the Legislative Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?
Article I
Congress represents citizens, makes laws, declares war
House of Representatives: tax bills must begin in this branch, can call for impeachment inquiry of President or Supreme Court Justice
Senate: approves Presidential appointments, approves treaties, holds impeachment proceedings and votes on guilt or innocence
What does it mean to Impeach? Who has that power?
to bring up on formal charges of wrongdoing. Congress
How is the Legislative Branch set up?
Bicameral- 2 houses/chambers
Senate- Equal Representatives
House of Representatives- proportional representatives based on population
How many Senators does each state have?
2 per state
a total of 100
How long is the term for a Senator? Who does a Senator represent?
Six year term
Their entire state
What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for Senator?
At least 30 years old
A citizen for 9 years
How do they determine the number of Representatives for each state in the House of Representatives?
Proportional- based on population.
1 per 30K
How many Representatives are in the House of Representatives?
435
How long is the term for a Representative? Who does a Representative for the House represent?
Two years
The citizens of their district only
What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for Representative?
At least 25 years old
A citizen for at least 7 years
What is a Bill? What does it mean if it becomes ratified?
a proposed/ rough draft of a law
Ratify - to approve (as in when the President signs a bill and it becomes law)
How do the Elastic Clause and Amendments help the Constitution adapt to changing times?
Allows the Constitution to adapt to changing times with Amendment process
It stretches the power of Congress
What section of the Constitution sets up the Executive Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?
Article II
Enforce laws
President:Commander in Chief of military, vetoes or ratifies laws, negotiates treaties, pardons criminals, updates Congress on the country
Vice President: President of the Senate, advises and helps President, first in line of succession
Cabinet: run executive departments, advise and report to the President
What does it mean to Veto something?
to reject (as in the President rejecting a proposed law)
What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for President?
Born a citizen of the US
At least 35 years old
How long is a Presidential term? How many terms can a President serve?
Four year term
Maximum of two terms
Who makes up the Executive branch? (it’s not just one person!) What does the term Cabinet mean?
President
Vice President
Cabinet. Cabinet: the heads of the different executive departments
What section of the Constitution sets up the Judicial Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?
Article III
Settles disputes between state governments, settles disputes between citizens in different states, settles disputes between the federal government and citizens or states
Judicial Review (see definitions)
What is Judicial Review?
the most important power of the Supreme Court: the power to declare laws unconstitutional (to strike them down)
How many justices are in the Supreme Court? How long is their term?
Nine justices
Serve life terms (until the retire or pass away)
What is a Federalist?
a person who supported ratifying the Constitution - wrote the Federalist Papers to explain why it should be ratified
What is an Anti-Federalist?
a person who did not support ratifying the Constitution without adding a list of protected individual rights (Bill of Rights)
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten Amendments to the Constitution
What does the Bill of Rights give us?
A list of freedoms and rights that the government must protect and cannot take away
Ex: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to a trial by a jury of your peers
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued against ratifying the Constitution because they believed the government was still too strong
They wanted a list of individual freedoms and rights added.
