Preamble and Articles 1-7 Flashcards
What IS the Preamble
First paragraph of the Constitution.
What does the Preamble DO?
States the goals of the Constitution.
What are some GOALS of the Constitution?
1) People of the United States will be involved in the government and government process
2) Create a better government and country
3) Create fair laws
4) Keep peace within the country
5) Defend against foreign attacks
6) Take care of the citizens
7) Make sure that freedom and liberty is around today and for future generations
Define the word “Legislative” (adjective)
having the power to make laws
Describe the word “Legislature” (noun)
an organized or official group of people with the power or authority to make laws
What is ARTICLE 1?
describes what the legislative branch is and how it works. Members of the legislative branch are part of Congress, which is responsible for making laws. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What is the Legislative Branch responsible for?
Responsible for making laws
Define “Representative Democracy”
Representative (adj) democracy (noun): a type of democracy where elected delegates represent a group of people. Citizens elect government officials to represent their needs and concerns.
Who is US Legislative Branch is made up of?
Congress- which is divided into two groups
House of Representatives and Senate
Congress is divided into which two chambers?
House of Representatives and Senate
What is ARTICLE 2?
Article II creates the executive branch. The executive branch includes the president, the vice president and other members of the cabinet. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws.
Who is included in the Executive Branch?
The executive branch includes the president, the vice president and other members of the cabinet.
What is the Executive Branch responsible for?
The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws.
What is ARTICLE 3?
Article III introduces the judicial branch. The judicial branch includes judges on the Supreme Court and other federal courts. Supreme Court judges are responsible for interpreting the laws.
Who makes up the Judicial Branch?
The judicial branch includes judges on the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
What is the Judicial Branch Responsible for?
1) Primary responsibility of members of the Judicial Branch: Protect the US Constitution
2) Sets up the Supreme Court and inferior courts
3) Federal judges can serve for life
4) original jurisdiction: the power to hear cases for the first time
5) Treason is the only crime defined by the Constitution
Define “Judicial” (adj)
Judicial (adj): of or relating to a judgment, the function of judging, the administration of justice, or the judiciary.
What is ARTICLE 4?
gives states the power to have their own laws. Article IV also explains how states should work together and respect each other’s laws.
What are some ways states must work together and respect each other’s laws?
1) All states must have republican (representative) type of government
2) States have any powers that are not given to the national (federal government)
3) Describes how states should interact with each other
4) Responsibilities states have to each other:
a) Respect each state’s laws and court decisions
b) Driver’s licenses
c) Legal contracts
d) Track down and return accused person or convicted criminals
5) States may not discriminate unreasonably against citizens of another state
6) Anyone who holds state government position, must promise to support the US Constitution
What is Article 5?
Article V allows the constitution to be changed. The Constitution can be changed by adding amendments.
Define “amendment” (noun)
Change to the Constitution
What are the steps to add an amendment to the Constitution?
1) Propose the law known as a “bill”.
a) 2/3 of Congress must vote YES OR
b) 2/3 state legislatures ask Congress to hold a convention and the amendment is proposed at the meeting.
2) Ratify the amendment
a) 3/4 of state legislatures vote YES to ratify (approve) the amendment OR
b) Each state holds a convention to consider the amendment and 3/4 of state conventions vote YES to ratify the amendment
Ratify (adj) means….?
to make official / sign into law
Article 6 is what?
Federalism: the federal government and laws are superior to all state governments and laws. Even though states can make their own laws, they cannot violate any federal laws.
