The US Constitution

Question 1

What are the 3 key features you need to understand about the nature of the US constitution?

Answer 1

• Separation of powers
• Flexible
• Division of federal and state power

Question 2

The constitution was drawn up in 1787 in Philadelphia, it replaced the original 1777 constitution which had a too weak central government, what was the original called?

Answer 2

Articles of confederation

Question 3

There are 7 initial articles of the Constitution. Article 1,2 and 3 of the constitution established what?

Answer 3

• The legislative branch
• The executive branch
• The judicial branch

Question 4

Some of the federal government’s powers are implied in the constitution, specially within which clause?

Answer 4

Elastic clause

Question 5

What are the first 10 amendments to the constitution, passed in 1791, known as?

Answer 5

Bill of Rights

Question 6

Why do small states such as Rhode Island have 2 senators, the same as large states such as Virginia?

Answer 6

Bicameral legislature

- Balancing the power of the citizen against the power of the separate states

Question 7

List 3 aims of the founding fathers who drew up the constitution

Answer 7

• Form a more perfect union
• Establish justice
• Ensure domestic tranquility

Question 8

Constitutional amendments can be proposed by?

Answer 8

Receiving a 2/3 majority vote in both the House and Senate

Question 9

What majority is needed in the House, Senate and states, to ratify an amendment to the constitution?

Answer 9

2/3

Question 10

List 2 disadvantages of the amendment process

Answer 10

Tyranny of the majority
- Only a small group can hold up change
Time consuming

Question 11

What is meant by the principle of separation of powers?

Answer 11

To ensure that power is shared between the executive, judicial and legislative

Question 12

Checks and balances. Congress can exercise how many significant checks on the president? And name 2

Answer 12

4

• Overriding the president’s veto
• Confirming or rejecting appointees

Question 13

The Founding Fathers hoped the constitution would create bipartisanship but more recently the US has seen divided government, 1969 to 2016; How many of these years have seen divided government?

Answer 13

12

Question 14

The 3rd key principle of the constituion is federalism, what is it and why did the Founding Fathers choose this system?

Answer 14

• The federal principle of government

- To avoid tyranny

Question 15

How many amendments to the constitution have there been?

Answer 15

27

Question 16

List 2 consequences of federalism

Answer 16

• Variation in state laws

- Elections are state based run largely under state law