The U.S constitution

Question 1

Key feature of the U.S constitution-1

Answer 1

It’s a codified constitution; There are seven Articles and these detail how:

• The three branches of the federal(national) government would work.
• The power of the president
• The creation of the supreme court
• The relationship between the state and federal
• The procedures in amending the constitution and other things that would affect ordinary Americans.

Question 2

Key Feature of the U.S constitution-2

Answer 2

• A blend of specificity and vagueness: some parts of the constitution are very specific and leave no room for interpretation. In other parts, the constitution is very vague which allows the constitution to move with time to an extent.
• Implied powers: powers of the federal government that the constitution does not explicitly mention but are reasonably implied from delegated powers.
• Reserved powers: Powers that are only reserved for the state or the people.
• Concurrent powers: Powers that both the federal and state government have.
• Necessary and proper clause: The final clause of Article 1 empowers Congress to make all laws and ‘necessary and proper’ to carry out the federal government’s duties.

Question 3

Key Feature of the U.S constitution-3

Answer 3

Entrenchment: Special procedures in place to amend the constitution.

Question 4

Key Feature of the U.S constitution-4

Answer 4

The amendment process is a two-stage process requiring a supermajority.
-stage 1 is the proposal and stage 2 is the ratification.

-Constitutional amendments can be either proposed by congress or by a national constitutional convention called by Congress at the request of 2/3 of state legislatures.

Question 5

The Bill of Rights

Answer 5

• The BOR was designed to protect Americans from an overly powerful federal government.
• Of the 27 amendments, the first 10 were proposed together by Congress in Sept. 1789 and were ratified together by 3/4 of the states by Dec.1791.

Question 6

Key Feature of the U.S constitution-5

Answer 6

Checks and Balances: A system that allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.

Question 7

The first 10 Amendments-Bill of Rights

Answer 7

1 Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2 Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well-regulated militia.
3 No quartering of soldiers.
4 Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
5 Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy.
6 Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.
7 Right of trial by jury in civil cases.

8 Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.
9 Other rights of the people.
10 Powers reserved to the states.