The Constitution (Facts)

Question 1

Size of the USA

Answer 1

Over 3,000 miles (coast to coast)

Question 2

When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

Answer 2

4th July 1776

Question 3

When was the US Constitution written?

Answer 3

1787

Question 4

Article 1?

Answer 4

Powers of Congress

Question 5

Article 2?

Answer 5

Powers of Executive (President)

Question 6

Article 3?

Answer 6

Powers of judiciary

Question 7

Article 4?

Answer 7

Federal-state and state-state relationships

Question 8

Article 5?

Answer 8

Amendment procedures

Question 9

Article 6?

Answer 9

Misc provisions like the supremacy clause

Question 10

Article 7?

Answer 10

Ratification procedure of Constitution

Question 11

How to amend constitution?

Answer 11

2/3 majority in both houses of congress and ratified by 3/4 of states
OR
2/3 of states call a National Constitutional Convention and 3/4 of the states hold conventions to ratify

Question 12

How many votes on constitutional amendments in Bill Clinton’s two terms? (1993-2001)

Answer 12

18 - unusually high as Republicans controlled Congress for 6 years

Question 13

Important Amendments: 1st?

Answer 13

Freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly

Question 14

Important Amendments: 2nd?

Answer 14

Right to keep and bear arms (in a well-organised militia)

Question 15

Important Amendments: 4th?

Answer 15

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures

Question 16

Important Amendments: 8th?

Answer 16

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishments

Question 17

Important Amendments: 13th?

Answer 17

Prohibits slavery

Question 18

Important Amendments: 16th?

Answer 18

Federal government authorised to impose income tax

Question 19

Important Amendments: 22nd?

Answer 19

Two term limit for President

Question 20

Which court case established judicial review?

Answer 20

Marbury vs Madison (1803)

Question 21

Checks by Executive on Legislature?

Answer 21

Recommends legislation (SOTU Address) and veto legislation

Question 22

Checks by Executive on Judiciary?

Answer 22

Appointment of judges, pardon

Question 23

Checks by Judiciary on Legislature and Executive?

Answer 23

Judicial review

Question 24

Checks by Legislature on Executive?

Answer 24

amend/delay/reject legislation, override veto, ratify treaties, confirm appointments, impeachement

Question 25

Checks by Legislature on Judiciary?

Answer 25

Impeachment, propose constitutional amendments

Question 26

Example of congress blocking legislation

Answer 26

Obama’s job creation legislation (2011)

Question 27

When was Bill Clinton impeached?

Answer 27

Twice in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice. Senate found him not guilty both times

Question 28

Examples of successful judicial review

Answer 28

1998: Clinton vs New York City - Line Item Veto Act judged to be unconstitutional (Legislature)
1974: United States vs Richard Nixon - ordered Nixon to hand over White House tapes (Executive)

Question 29

Examples of federal government growing in power

Answer 29

No Child Left Behind Act (2002), US PATRIOT Act (2001), Affordable Care Act “Obamacare” (2010)