US constitution test #1 Flashcards
Our system in which powers are divided between one national government and several state governments is known as what?
federalism
Because of the Connecticut Compromise, which was made at the Philadelphia Convention, representation in the House of Representatives is determined by what?
population of each state
The document, which was signed by the Seconf Continenatl Congress, that formally broke our political ties with Great Britain is known as what?
The Declaration of Independence
When was The Declaration of Independence signed?
July 4, 1776
According to Article VI, the Constitution, therefore the national government, is the “supreme law of the land.” What is this clause called?
Supremacy Clause
Powers that are shared by both the national and state governments, such as the power to borrow money, establish courts, and tax, are called…
Concurrent Powers
Who is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution” for his work done at the Constitutional Convention (he proposed the Virginia Plan, which laid out much of the framework of the Constitution)?
James Madison
The Amendment Process is laid out and discussed in what article of the Constitution?
Article Five
The Supreme Court case, McCulloch v. Maryland established/upheld two important principles in the Constitution. What were the two principles established/upheld by that case?
Congress has implied powers (in this case, to create a national bank).
The Constitution is supreme, and therefore, the national government cannot be taxed by states.
What is discussed in the Preamble of the Constitution?
goals of the Constitution
States must recognize the legal documents and proceedings, such as birth certificates, marriage and drivers licenses, and other legal documents, because of the…
Full Faith & Credit Clause
What amendment, found in the Bill of Rights, guarantees due process of law, including protections of law, including protections of our right to remain silent and right to counsel (attorney), and protects us from the double jeopardy?
5th amendment
At the Constitutional Convention, the ______ Plan argued for representation based upon population and/or wealth in Congress, and also gave Congress several important powers, including the power to choose he executive, and the power to review state laws.
Virginia Plan
What powers come from the necessary and proper clause ‘aka’ the elastic clause?
Implied powers
The original, stated purpose of the Philadelphia (Constitutional) Convention in 1787 was to…
revise the Articles of Confederation
The ___ amendment protects the rights of citizens from state governments and contains the “equal protection clause,” which guarantees all citizens the same rights and privileges as all other citizens.
14th amendment
Under the Articles of Confederation, states often did not provide the same protections and freedoms to non-residents of their state. To prevent this from happening, what clause was included in the Constitution to guarantee all citizens received fair treatment, regardless of what state they were from?
Privileges and Immunities Clause
Every amendment added to our Constitution has first been proposed by Congress. What vote is needed to formally propose an amendment to the Constitution by both chambers of Congress?
2/3
All but one amendment to our Constitution has been ratified by the state legislatures. What number of state legislatures must ratify an amendment for it to be added to the Constitution?
3/4
Each of the branches of our national government is given some degree of oversight and power over the other two branches. This is often referred to as…
checks and balances
Which of the following is NOT protected by the 1st Amendment?
right to bear arms
What did the Connecticut Compromise resolve at the Philadelphia Convention?
resolved the issue of determining representation in Congress
What are three goals found in the Preamble of the Constitution?
- form a more perfect union
- ensure domestic tranquility
- promote the general welfare
This compromise, between free and slave states, at the Philadelphia Convention made it to where slaves could partially by counted for representation and taxation purposes. This compromise was declared null and void following the passage of the 13th Amendment.
3/5 compromise
What’s one goal not found in the Preamble of the Constitution?
abolish slavery
The quartering of soldiers was something the British often violated. To be sure this did not continue, what amendment in the Bill of Rights prevents this from happening today?
3rd Amendment
Ex Post Facto laws are ______ powers, because it is unfair for the government to pass laws that would punish someone for committing a crime before it was defined as a crime
Denied
What is the significance of the 10th Amendment?
Preserved the idea of reserved powers for states
Concurrent Powers are powers that are…
Shared between the national and state governments
What amendment, passed during the Progressive Era, expanded the national government’s power by giving it the power to tax an individual’s income?
16th Amendment
What powers are not listed in the Constitution, but can be reasonably inferred based on the wording of other powers found in the Constitution?
Implied
Who has the power to review and even overturn state and national laws?
Supreme court
What is the power to review and even overturn state and national laws called?
Judicial review
What is a denied power of congress?
levy export taxes
The thirteenth amendment removed a reserved power from the states and instead, made it a denied power. What did the thirteenth amendment accomplish?
Abolished slavery
The Constitution created a national government with three branches of government. What are the three branches?
executive, judicial, legislative
Congress has created laws about minimum wage, healthcare, and climate change, yet these are not powers that are found in the Constitution. What type of power is Congress using when they make these laws?
implied power
What principle of the Constitution, which is found in the first three words, “We the people,” declares the idea that it is the people who hold the political power in our country, and not a king or any one person or group?
Popular Sovereignty
Powers which are specifically listed in the Constitution, including those found in Article One, Section Eight, are known as what?
Expressed Powers
What are some expressed powers of Congress?
levy taxes, create an army and navy, set a system of weights and measures
T/F: According to the Supremacy Clause, when a national law and a state law are in conflict with one another, the state’s laws will have supremacy over the national law.
false
T/F: Under the Articles of Confederation, political power was held by the states, and the national government lacked the authority to force the states to cooperate with one another and follow laws passed by Congress.
true
T/F: Following the Civil War and the passage of the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th amendments), the national government’s power over the states expanded.
true
T/F: Representation in the Senate is based on the population of a state.
false
T/F: Federalism is a flexible system because it allows some state laws to vary, but yet keeps us unified with national laws.
true
T/F: The Articles of Confederation created a unicameral Congress, with all states having one vote.
true
T/F: Conducting elections, creating local governments, and issuing licenses are all considered exclusive powers.
true
T/F: Under the Articles of Confederation, there was no executive branch to enforce laws.
true
T/F: There are 27 articles, and 7 amendments in the Constitution.
false
T/F: The Constitution, written in 1787, created a system of government in which the powers are divided between the national government and the states. This system is called Federalism
true
