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

Answer 6

The Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or Sherman Compromise) was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution.

Question 7

Tariff

Answer 7

an official list or table showing the duties or customs imposed by a government on imports or exports.

Question 8

Repeal

Answer 8

to revoke or withdraw formally or officially:

Question 9

Civil Discourse

Answer 9

Civil discourse is the practice of engaging in conversation to seek and foster understanding with mutual airing of views. It is not a contest; rather, it is intended to promote mutual understanding.

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

the Bill of Rights, 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 a nation, especially of a republic

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 US

Question 24

Fugitive Slave Clause

Answer 24

No Person held to Service or Labor 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 Labor, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labor may be due.

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

Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise

Question 28

2nd Amendment

Answer 28

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Question 29

4th Amendment

Answer 29

protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.

Question 30

5th Amendment

Answer 30

A right against forced self-incrimination

Question 31

6th Amendment

Answer 31

the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.

Question 32

13th Amendment

Answer 32

abolished slavery as an institution in all U.S. states and territories.

Question 33

14th Amendment

Answer 33

granted citizenship to all persons “born or naturalized in the United States,” including formerly enslaved people, and provided all citizens with “equal protection under the laws,” extending the provisions of

Question 34

15th Amendment

Answer 34

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Question 35

19th Amendment

Answer 35

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex