Preamble and Articles 1-7

Question 1

What IS the Preamble

Answer 1

First paragraph of the Constitution.

Question 2

What does the Preamble DO?

Answer 2

States the goals of the Constitution.

Question 3

What are some GOALS of the Constitution?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Define the word “Legislative” (adjective)

Answer 4

having the power to make laws

Question 5

Describe the word “Legislature” (noun)

Answer 5

an organized or official group of people with the power or authority to make laws

Question 6

What is ARTICLE 1?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What is the Legislative Branch responsible for?

Answer 7

Responsible for making laws

Question 8

Define “Representative Democracy”

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Who is US Legislative Branch is made up of?

Answer 9

Congress- which is divided into two groups
House of Representatives and Senate

Question 10

Congress is divided into which two chambers?

Answer 10

House of Representatives and Senate

Question 11

What is ARTICLE 2?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Who is included in the Executive Branch?

Answer 12

The executive branch includes the president, the vice president and other members of the cabinet.

Question 13

What is the Executive Branch responsible for?

Answer 13

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws.

Question 14

What is ARTICLE 3?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Who makes up the Judicial Branch?

Answer 15

The judicial branch includes judges on the Supreme Court and other federal courts.

Question 16

What is the Judicial Branch Responsible for?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Define “Judicial” (adj)

Answer 17

Judicial (adj): of or relating to a judgment, the function of judging, the administration of justice, or the judiciary.

Question 18

What is ARTICLE 4?

Answer 18

gives states the power to have their own laws. Article IV also explains how states should work together and respect each other’s laws.

Question 19

What are some ways states must work together and respect each other’s laws?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is Article 5?

Answer 20

Article V allows the constitution to be changed. The Constitution can be changed by adding amendments.

Question 21

Define “amendment” (noun)

Answer 21

Change to the Constitution

Question 22

What are the steps to add an amendment to the Constitution?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Ratify (adj) means….?

Answer 23

to make official / sign into law

Question 24

Article 6 is what?

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Define “Federalism”?

Answer 25

system where the national government shares power with state governments

Question 26

What is “Supreme Law of the Land”?

Answer 26

State’s constitution, laws, and judicial decisions must agree with the US Constitution, federal laws, or treaties

Question 27

What is Article 7?

Answer 27

The Ratification of the Constitution. Describes how the Constitution would be ratified. The Constitution would be ratified, or approved, when nine out of the thirteen states approved it.

Question 28

Define “Ratification”

Answer 28

the process of approval