Preassessment Packet Flashcards
What are the three sections of the Constitution?
The preamble, the articles, and the amendments
What is the preamble of the Constitution?
The preamble introduces the constitution and outlines the goals of the government
What does the first article of the Constitution state?
The first article outlines and establishes the Legislative Branch
What does the second article of the Constitution state?
The second article outlines and establishes the Executive Branch
What does the third article of the Constitution state?
The third article outlines and establishes the Judicial Branch
What does the fourth article of the Constitution state?
The fourth article describes federalism
What does the fifth article of the Constitution state?
The fifth article outlines the steps to amend the Constitution
What does the sixth article of the Constitution state?
The sixth article outlines the Supremacy Clause
What does the seventh article of the Constitution state?
The seventh article outlines the steps to ratification
What does the First Amendment cover?
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
What does the Second Amendment cover?
The right to bear arms
What does the Third Amendment cover?
No forced quartering of soldiers
What does the Fourth Amendment cover?
No unlawful searches and seizures
What does the Fifth Amendment cover?
Protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and the right to due process of law
What does the Sixth Amendment cover?
The right to an attorney and a speedy and public trial
What does the Seventh Amendment cover?
The right to a jury trial for civil cases
What does the Eighth Amendment cover?
Protection from cruel and unusual punishments and excessive fines
What does the Ninth Amendment cover?
Rights exist beyond the ones stated in the constitution
What does the Tenth Amendment cover?
Reserved powers - all nonfederal powers go to the states
What are the Civil War amendments?
The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments
What does the Thirteenth Amendment cover?
The abolition of slavery
What does the Fourteenth Amendment cover?
Equal protection under the law and established citizenship
What does the Fifteenth Amendment cover?
The right to vote for all male citizens
What are the three branches of government?
The legislative, executive, and judicial branches
What does the legislative branch do?
Make laws
What does the executive branch do?
Enforce laws
What does the judicial branch do?
Evaluate and judge laws
How many members are there in the House of Representatives?
435
How many members are there in the Senate?
100
Briefly describe how a bill becomes a law.
- A bill is introduced to the HoR/Senate
- The bill goes to the committee; they modify and vote on it
- The bill is debated and voted on by the HoR/Senate
- The bill is voted on by the other chamber
- The president chooses to either sign or veto the bill
List the past six presidents and their political parties.
Joe Biden - Democrat
Donald Trump - Republican
Barack Obama - Democrat
George W. Bush Jr - Republican
Bill Clinton - Democrat
George H. W. Bush Sr - Republican
How many years are there between presidential elections?
Four years
What is the total number of electoral votes available?
538
How many electoral votes are needed to win a presidential election?
270
Describe the Declaration of Independence.
- Officially separated the thirteen colonies from England
- Talks about Natural Rights and the Social Contract
Describe the Articles of Confederation.
- First governing document of the United States
- Gave almost all power to the states
Describe the US Constitution.
- Governing document of the United States
Describe Federalist Papers No. 10
- Argues that a large republic was the best way to control political parties (factions)
Describe Brutus 1
- Warned against one powerful government ruling over a large area like the US
Describe Federalist Papers No. 51
- Talked about checks and balances and the separation of powers
Describe Federalist Papers No. 70
- Talked about the importance of a single leader for the executive branch
Describe Federalist Papers No. 78
- Talked about the importance of an independent judiciary (judicial branch)
Describe the Letters from Birmingham Jail
- Written by Martin Luther King Jr.
- Defends the strategies of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience
- Claims people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws
When was Marbury v. Madison and what did it do?
1803
* Established judicial review
When was McCulloch v. Maryland and what did it do?
1819
* Established supremacy of federal laws over state laws
When was Schenk v. United States and what did it do?
1919
* Limits free speech that presents “Clear and Present Danger” (You can’t just yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater if there isn’t a fire, etc.)
When was Brown v. Board of Education and what did it do?
1954
* Ended segregation in schools based on the 14th Amendment
When was Engel v. Vitale and what did it do?
1962
* Public schools cannot officially sponsor religious activities based on the 1st Amendment
When was Baker v. Carr and what did it do?
1962
* Outlines rules for re-districting (gerrymandering and similar issues, “one man, one vote”)
When was Gideon v. Wainwright and what did it do?
1963
* If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided based on the sixth and fourteenth amendments
When was Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District and what did it do?
1969
* Students have freedom of speech at school if school operations are not disrupted (including symbolic speech like anti-war armbands)
When was New York Times Co. v. United States and what did it do?
1971
* Strengthened freedom of the press and limited prior restraint (government prevention of publication of certain information)
When was Wisconsin v. Yonder and what did it do?
1972
* The Amish cannot be forced to send kids to school after 8th grade, free exercise clause based on the 1st Amendment
When was Shaw v. Reno and what did it do?
1993
* Race cannot be the only factor in drawing voting districts
When was United States v. Lopez and what did it do?
1995
* Congress cannot use the Commerce Clause (congress’s power to regulate commerce) to create gun laws
When was McDonald v. Chicago and what did it do?
2010
* The Second Amendment is an individual right - selective incorporation
When was Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and what did it do?
2010
* Political spending by corporations is protected by free speech and cannot be limited
