Test constitution Flashcards
List the 6 principles of the Constitution and briefly explain what each one means.
Federalism - Divides power & authority between national gov. &; state gov.
Power Sovereignty - Rule by one person
Separation of Powers - Each branch has its own responsibilities
Check & Balances - Each branch holds control over the other two
Limited Gov. - Power of gov. is limited by the constitution supreme law of land.
Judicial Review - Courts have the right to declare laws & actions of congress & the president’s unconstitutional.
Explain the differences between delegated, reserved, and concurrent powers. Give examples of each
Delegated - Powers given to the national gov. Ex (declare war, immigration, foreign trade,print money)
Reserved - Powers given to state (10th amend./ gay rights, marijuana, education, local gov., & elections)
Concurrent Powers - Powers shared between state and national (make laws, build roads, collect taxes)
Which court case gave the Supreme Court the power of Judicial Review?
Marbury v.s. Madison 1803
How many amendments and articles are in the Constitution?
Amendments 27 and articles 7
What part of the Constitution states why it was written and lists the goals for American government? Write out all 52 words.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Briefly explain each article of the Constitution
Art 1: gives Congress its powers and limits.
Art 2: makes the executive branch of the government.
Art 3: creates a judicial branch in the United States.
Art 4: responsibilities and duties the states have along with what responsibilities the federal government has to each States.
Art 5: only way the Constitution can be changed is by adding an amendment.
Art 6: any debts or engagements that the country had before adopting the Constitution are still valid.Constitution is the highest law and that all officers and judges have to uphold the Constitution.
Art 7:many states need to ratify the Constitution.
How does an amendment become proposed and then ratified?
(Elastic clause) either by the Congress with a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a convention of states called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
What were John Lock’s characteristics of political theory?
- Limited gov. 2. Natural rights 3. Gov necessary to protect our national rights. 4. Minority rights guaranteed.
Who was an advocate for popular sovereignty and believed that greed eventually prevailed in society, which led men having to develop a social contract?
Jean Jacques Rousseau
Who believed in separation of powers so that one part of government could not become too powerful?
Baron de Montesquieu
List three powers of each branch of government.
Legislative - Make laws
Executive - Enforce laws
Judicial - Interpret laws
List and briefly explain the Bill of Rights.
Basic Liberties- religion, speech, press, assembly, petition. Right to bear arms Housing troops (quartering soldiers) Search & seizures Rights of accused, due process, innocent till proven guilty, right to remain silent, double jeopardy, e domain Fair & speedy trial Jury Trials Bails, fines, & punishments People rights State rights
Briefly explain Amendments 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26
- Abolishes Slavery 1865
- Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude
- Income Taxes permits congress to levy an income tax w/out apportioning it among the states or basing it on the united states census 1903
- Prohibition of Alcoholic beverages
- Women suffrage denial on gender
- Repeal to Prohibition
- Limited of presidential term of office (2 terms/ 8 years)
- Abolition of poll taxes
- 18 year olds given right to vote
