Constitution Test Flashcards
What was one of the main writers of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What is the theory of the American Government?
People give the government it’s power.
The Constitution is divided into 3 parts. What are they?
Preamble, Articles, and Amendments.
How many branches does the federal government have?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
What do the first 3 articles deal with?
Separation of Power
What are the qualifications for a U.S. Senator?
30 years old, U.S. Citizen for 9 years, live in the state he represents
What is the length of term for a Senator?
6 years
What are the qualifications for a U.S. Representative?
25 years old, U.S. Citizen for 7 years, lives in the state he represents
What is the length of term for a Representative?
2 years.
How many Senators are there?
100
How many Representatives are there?
435
How are the seats apportioned?
% of total U.S. Population living in that state
What are some powers of Congress?
Money: Collect taxes, decide how to spend money, print and coin money, borrow money
War: Declare war
Justice: set up federal courts, impeach president or other federal official
Regulations: Creat and run post offices, set up standards of weights and measures, build and maintain highways, pass copyright and patent laws, admit new states and territories into the U.S., pass laws about immigration and naturalization
Foreign relations: approves or disapproves treaties with other countries
Changes to the Constitution: propose amendments to the Constitution
Commerce: control business between states, control trade between U.S. and other countries
New issues: pass laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out duties
What are ex-post facto laws?
Laws which make acts criminal which were innocent when done.
Who is the presiding office of the U.S. House of Representatives?
Speaker
What is a constitutional right that protects the individual against unjust imprisonment?
Habeus corpus
What are concurrent powers?
Powers exercised by national and state governments at the same time
What was the Great Compromise?
Creation of Congress
Powers granted to the U.S. Congress by Article 1 are called ___?
Delegated powers
Powers not delegated to Congress, nor prohibited by it to the states reserved for the ___?
States
How does a bill become a law?
passed by both houses and signed by the president.
How often is the U.S. congress required to meet?
Once a year
The authority to recognize countries and governments resides with ___?
President
What are the qualifications for a U.S. President?
Natural born citizen, 35 years old, resident for at least 14 years
The authority to recognize countries and governments resides with __?
President
How long can a President serve?
10 years
If no presidential candidate receives a majorit yof Electoral College voates, who decides on the President?
House of Representatives chooses from top 3 candidates.
How is the President elected?
Electoral College
The cabinet is chosen and meets only at the request of the ___?
President
How long do federal judges serve?
Life
How many types of courts does the U.S. Federal System have?
3: District, Appeal, Supreme
The U.S.Supreme Court Case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional was ___?
Brown vs. Board of Education
The first instance of the Supreme Court’s use of power of judicial review was what case?
Marbury vs. Madison
What does it take to convict a person of treason?
2 witnesses or a confession
Who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces?
President
When does the President deliver his State of the Union message to Congress?
At the opening of the session of Congress
If a state law confilicts with a federal law, which law takes precedence?
Federal
What two groups have the power to propose an amendment?
2/3 of both houses of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures can ask Congress to call a national constitutional convention
How are the amendments approved?
3/4 of state legislatures of 3/4 of state conventions
Which amendment gives Congress the right to levy and collect income taxes?
16th
Which amendment deals with political and religious freedom?
1st
What are the first 10 amendments called?
Bill of Rights
Which amendments defines U.S. Citizenship?
14th
When was the present Illinois constitution adopted?
1970
What are the qualifications for a member of the Illinois General Assembly?
21 years old, U.S. citizen, resident of the district he represents
What is the legislative branch of illinois state government known as?
General Assembly
What is the “Right of Eminent Domain”?
Government purchase of private property for public use.
How much of a veto does it take to override a Governor’s veto?
3/5 vote of General Assembly
Who serves if the Governor’s office becomes vacant?
Lieutenant Governor
Who is the chief legal office the state of Illinois?
Attorney General
What is a power the Governor has that the U.S. President does not have?
Item veto
How much of a vote does it take for a proposed amendment to the Illinois State Constitution to be ratified?
3/5 vote of persons voting on amendment at a general election.
When does every bill passed by the GEneral Assembly of Illinois have to be presented to the Governor?
Within 30 days
Under Provisions of the Illinois Constitution all persons with a physical or mental handicap are guaranteed freedom from ___?
Discrimination
Nominations made by the Governor of Illinois must be approved by the ___?
State SEnate
When displaying the U.S. flag on a platform, where should the flag be placed?
On Speaker’s right.
What are the qualifications to be able to voate in Illinois?
U.S. Citizen, resident of the state for at least 6 months, resident of the county for at least 30 days preceding election, at least 18 years old
When displaying the U.S. flag from a building, when should the flag be flown?
From sunrise to sunset.
When displaying the U.S. flag with 2 or more other countries, how should the flag be placed?
Same height and same size
When displaying the U.S. flag with city or state flags, how should the flag be flown?
In center and higher
