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U.S. Government Genius > U.S. Constitution > Flashcards

U.S. Constitution Flashcards

Learn the essentials of the U.S. Constitution, from the function of each article to the process of making laws.

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® U.S. Government flashcards U.S. Government Basics flashcards American Government 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the 3 branches of government?

A
  1. legislative
  2. executive
  3. judicial
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2
Q

What branch of government is established in Article I of the Constitution?

A

the legislative branch

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3
Q

What branch of government is established in Article II of the Constitution?

A

the executive branch

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4
Q

What branch of government is established in Article III of the Constitution?

A

the judicial branch

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5
Q

What are checks and balances?

A

Measures taken so that no one branch has more power than another

Each branch of government has the ability to check the power of another branch

e.g. The judicial branch may check the legislative branch by deeming legislative acts to be unconstitutional.

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6
Q

Name specific examples of checks and balances.

A
  1. judicial review
  2. the presidential veto
  3. impeachment
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7
Q

What are the requirements to become a member of the House of Representatives?

A

Must:

  1. be ≥ 25 years old
  2. be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 7 years
  3. reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election
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8
Q

What are the requirements to become a member of the Senate?

A

Must:

  1. be ≥ 30 years old
  2. be a U.S. citizen for ≥ 9 years
  3. reside in the state he/she represents at the time of election
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9
Q

Congress can be referred to as a ____ body because it consists of both the House and the Senate.

A

bicameral

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10
Q

How does representation differ between the House and the Senate?

A
  • House Representation depends on a state’s population
  • In the Senate, each state always has 2 votes
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11
Q

How do the elections and term lengths differ between the Senate and the House?

A
  • 1/3 of the Senate is elected every 2 years to 6-year terms

  • All representatives (of the House) are elected every 2 years to 2-year terms
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12
Q

Do limits exist on the number of terms Senate or House members can be elected?

A

No limits exist

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13
Q

What are 3 requirements to be eligible for President?

A

Must:

  1. be a natural-born citizen
  2. be ≥ 35 years old
  3. have resided in the U.S. for ≥ 14 years
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14
Q

What are the special powers of the House?

A
  • draft all revenue bills and budgets
  • power of impeachment
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15
Q

What is impeachment?

A

an accusation of misconduct; does not necessarily imply removal from office

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16
Q

What are the special powers of the Senate?

A

tries all impeachments (convicts or acquits)

17
Q

How does a bill become a law?

A
  1. congressperson proposes a bill
  2. committee in the House of Representatives or the Senate writes the bill; then that house votes on the bill
  3. if passed by a simple majority, the other house votes; if the second house passes the bill with no amendments, the bill is sent to the President to sign
  4. if differences exist between the bills from the Senate and House, then a joint-congressional committee negotiates
  5. new bill must be voted on again in the House and Senate; if passed by a simple majority in both houses, the bill is sent to the President to sign
  6. if the President signs it, the bill becomes a law
  7. if the president doesn’t sign it within 10 days, if Congress is still in session it becomes law; if Congress has already adjourned, it does not become law
  8. if the President vetoes (objects to the law), Congress can override the veto with a 2/3 majority in each house
18
Q

What are some of the powers of Congress?

A
  • write laws
  • determine and collect taxes
  • pay debt
  • regulate commerce (inter-state and international)
  • coin money
  • create a post office and roads
  • issue copyrights
  • create lower courts
  • declare war
  • create and support an army and a navy
19
Q

How long are the presidential and vice-presidential terms?

A

4 years each

20
Q

How is the President elected?

A

the electoral college votes
for the President

21
Q

How is each state’s representation in the electoral college determined?

A

the number of electors is equivalent to the sum of the state’s representatives and senators in Congress

22
Q

What are some of the President’s responsibilities?

A
  1. act as commander-in-chief of the army and navy
  2. appoint Supreme Court justices with Senate approval
  3. make treaties with Senate approval
23
Q

How can the President, Vice President, or other civil officer be removed from office?

A

The Senate can convict him or her of “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

24
Q

What is the highest court in the United States?

A

The Supreme Court

25
Q

What are concerns with the federal courts’ jurisdiction?

A
  1. problems relating to the Constitution
  2. treaties
  3. problems between states
26
Q

What are concerns with the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction?

A
  1. appeals from federal courts
  2. problems relating to ambassadors, ministers, or other public officials
27
Q

True or false: Article IV of the Constitution declares the state right that fugitives must be returned to their original state.

A

TRUE

28
Q

If a new state were formed, would it be allowed to claim the land of existing states?

A

No, according to Article IV of the Constitution, new states may be admitted but may not claim the land of existing states without consent.

29
Q

Article IV of the Constitution declares the state right that the national government must guarantee a democracy in each state. What else does Article IV declare in regards to the federal government’s obligations to the states?

A

The national government must also protect individual states from invasion.

30
Q

True or false: there is no article in the Constitution that actually stipulates the conditions under which amendments may be passed.

A

False; Article V stipulates the conditions under which the House and Senate may propose and pass amendments to the Constitution.

31
Q

The Constitution is known as the “Supreme _____ .”

A

In Article VI, the Constitution is declared the “Supreme Law of the Land.”

32
Q

How did the Constitution deal with debts that had been contracted under the Articles of Confederation?

A

According to Article VI, all debts contracted under the Articles of Confederation were deemed still valid.

33
Q

Does religion have anything to do with potential (federal or state) legislators’ eligibility?

A

No; Article VI declares that religion does not determine eligiblity.

34
Q

At least how many states had to ratify the Constitution?

A

Article VII declared that nine states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to become law.

U.S. Government Genius (4 decks)

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