last minute cramming

Question 1

Name all the articles and what they cover.

Answer 1

Article I: Legislative Branch, Article II: Executive Branch, Article III: Judiciary Branch, Article IV: State Relations, Article V: Amendment Process, Article VI: National Supremacy, Article VII: Ratification Process

Question 2

What was important about the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 2

The Declaration of Independence was a document that the colonists wrote declaring their grievances against Britain’s rule. It established the concept of popular sovereignty and stated that all humans had the right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

Question 3

What was wrong about the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 3

Under the Articles of Confederation, the colonies had a weak central government and strong state governments. The central government could not levy taxes (making paying for the American Revolution difficult), establish a national currency, amend the constitution without unanimous agreement, or raise an army. One of these flaws were highlighted in Shays Rebellion, in which the national government had difficulty in controlling the rebellion.

Question 4

What article and section outlined Congress’s powers?

Answer 4

Article I Section 4

Question 5

What is the amendment process?

Answer 5

2/3 of HOR and 2/3 of Senate must propose an amendment and 3/4 of states must ratify.

Question 6

What is the Supremacy Clause and where is it found?

Answer 6

The Supremacy Clause states that in areas of law in which federal law and state law overlap, federal law reigns superior. This clause is found in Article VI.

Question 7

First Amendment

Answer 7

right to free speech, assembly, religion, petition, and press

Question 8

Second Amendment

Answer 8

right to bear arms

Question 9

Third Amendment

Answer 9

prohibits the quartering of soldiers

Question 10

Fourth Amendment

Answer 10

prohibits searches/seizures without a warrant

Question 11

Fifth Amendment

Answer 11

rights of formally arrested individuals. protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination. right to due process.

Question 12

Sixth Amendment

Answer 12

right to a speedy public trial

Question 13

Seventh Amendment

Answer 13

right to jury trial in civil cases

Question 14

Eighth Amendment

Answer 14

no cruel or unusual punishment, no excessive fine/bail

Question 15

Ninth Amendment

Answer 15

rights of citizens are protected regardless of if they are listed in the Constitution or not

Question 16

Tenth Amendment

Answer 16

all powers not given to the federal government are allocated to the states/people

Question 17

Fourteenth Amendment

Answer 17

equal protection clause

Question 18

Fifteenth Amendment

Answer 18

extended suffrage to Black men

Question 19

Sixteenth Amendment

Answer 19

established an income tax

Question 20

Seventeenth Amendment

Answer 20

direct election of the Senate

Question 21

Nineteenth Amendment

Answer 21

extended suffrage to women

Question 22

Twenty-second Amendment

Answer 22

limited the president to serve only two terms

Question 23

Twenty-fourth Amendment

Answer 23

eliminated poll taxes

Question 24

Twenty-sixth Amendment

Answer 24

lowered the voting age to 18

Question 25

What did Federalist No. 10 talk about?

Answer 25

Madison talked about the danger of factions and how their consequences can be minimized through the structure of a republican government. The size and diversity of the nation will prevent one faction from attaining too much power, and because of the amount of competition, factions will be forced to compromise.

Question 26

What did Brutus No. 1 talk about?

Answer 26

The author argued that a confederacy was better because the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause would excessively strip the states of their power. They also argued that the representatives under the Constitution’s government will not adequately represent the wants of who they represent.

Question 27

What did Federalist No. 51 talk about?

Answer 27

Madison talked about the separation of powers and checks and balances under the Constitution. While the legislative branch as a whole is disproportionately more powerful than the other branches, it works because 1. the branch represents the people and thus should have the most power and 2. Congress is a bicameral legislature, meaning that its power is distributed. Madison also talks about federalism.

Question 28

What did Federalist No. 70 talk about?

Answer 28

Hamilton argued for a single executive instead of multiple because the executive will be more able to respond quickly and decisively to national emergencies. This contrasts the legislative branch’s slower process in decision-making. One president will also prevent the concealment of faults and responsibility.

Question 29

What did Federalist No. 78 talk about?

Answer 29

Hamilton talked about how life tenure should be granted to SCOTUS judges because it will create quality judges that will interpret the Constitution uninfluenced by popular opinion. He also talked about judicial review and the rights for SCOTUS to check the actions of the Executive and Legislative branches.