The Constitution

Question 1

Articles of Confederation

Answer 1

the first constitution of the 13 American states, adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States.

Question 2

Declaration of Independence

Answer 2

the public act by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of England.

Question 3

Treason

Answer 3

the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign.

Question 4

Checks and balances

Answer 4

limits imposed on all branches of a government by vesting in each branch the right to amend or void those acts of another that fall within its purview.

Question 5

Separation of powers

Answer 5

the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government.

Question 6

Great Compromise

Question 7

Tariff

Answer 7

the schedule or system of duties so imposed.

Question 8

Repeal

Answer 8

to revoke or withdraw formally or officially:

Question 9

Civil Discourse

Question 10

3/5ths Compromise

Answer 10

three out of every five slaves was counted when determining a state’s total population for legislative representation and taxation.

Question 11

Constitution

Answer 11

the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed.

Question 12

Preamble

Answer 12

the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.

Question 13

Bill of Rights

Answer 13

a formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, such as freedom of religion, speech, and the press, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1–10, and in all state constitutions.

Question 14

Legislative Branch

Answer 14

the branch of government having the power to make laws; the legislature.

Question 15

Executive Branch

Answer 15

the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs; the executive.

Question 16

Judicial Branch

Answer 16

the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws and the administration of justice; the judiciary.

Question 17

Congress

Answer 17

the national legislative body of the U.S., consisting of the Senate, or upper house, and the House of Representatives, or lower house, as a continuous institution.

Question 18

Senate

Answer 18

an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.

Question 19

House of Representatives

Answer 19

the lower legislative branch in many national and state bicameral governing bodies, as in the United States, Mexico, and Japan. Abbreviations:H.R., HR

Question 20

Equal representation

Answer 20

Apportionment (politics), the way that representatives are assigned to voting groups, with equal representation meaning that all groups are fairly represented. One man, one vote, the principle that each vote must have equal value.

Question 21

Proportional representation

Answer 21

a method of voting by which political parties are given legislative representation in proportion to their popular vote.

Question 22

President

Answer 22

the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the chief executive of the United States:

Question 23

Supreme Court

Answer 23

the highest court of the U.S.

Question 24

Fugitive Slave Clause

Answer 24

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due. Id.

Question 25

Ratify

Answer 25

to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction:

Question 26

Amendment

Answer 26

the act of amending or the state of being amended.

Question 27

1st Amendment

Answer 27

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, prohibiting Congress from interfering with freedom of religion, speech, assembly, or petition.

Question 28

2nd Amendment

Answer 28

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing the right to keep and bear arms as necessary to maintain a state militia.

Question 29

4th Amendment

Answer 29

The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution protects US citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures of property by the government. It also requires a warrant and probable cause in the event of searches and seizures.

Question 30

5th Amendment

Answer 30

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, providing chiefly that people cannot be required to testify against themselves in a criminal case and that no person be subjected to a second trial for an offense for which they have been duly tried previously.

Question 31

6th Amendment

Answer 31

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing the right to a trial by jury in criminal cases.

Question 32

13th Amendment

Answer 32

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, abolishing slavery.

Question 33

14th Amendment

Answer 33

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868, defining national citizenship and forbidding the states to restrict the basic rights of citizens or other persons.

Question 34

15th Amendment

Answer 34

an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibiting the restriction of voting rights “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”