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Government > US Constitution Test Study Guide > Flashcards

US Constitution Test Study Guide Flashcards

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1
Q

Where does the power of the DoI come from?

A

The people

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2
Q

What is the purpose of the DoI?

A

Colonists wanted to be free of England and explained reasons why.

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3
Q

When was the DoI signed and approved?

A

July 4, 1776

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4
Q

Who wrote the DoI?

A

Thomas Jefferson

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5
Q

What is popular sovereignty?

A

The idea that govt can only get its power from the people.

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6
Q

What group signed and approved the Const?

A

The Const Convention

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7
Q

When was the Const signed and approved?

A

September 17th, 1787

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8
Q

Who is known as the father of the Const?

A

James Madison

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9
Q

What was the Great Compromise?

A

Settled disagreements between small and large states over how many representatives in Congress by creating two houses

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10
Q

What is in the Const?

A

Preamble, articles and amendments

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11
Q

What is the Preamble?

A

First part of the Const, stated belief govt gets its powers from the people

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12
Q

How many articles are in the Const?

A

7

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13
Q

How many amendments are in the Const?

A

27

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14
Q

What do the first 3 articles of the Const do?

A

Established idea of separation of powers, outlines three branches of govt

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15
Q

What is the Bill of Rights?

A

The first 10 amendments

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16
Q

What did the Const establish?

A

Federalism and Separation of Powers

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17
Q

What is Federalism?

A

The divide of power between a national and state govts

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18
Q

What is Separation of Powers?

A

The divide of govt into 3 separate but equal branches.

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19
Q

What are the types of powers given to the govt?

A

Reserved, Concurrent, Exclusive, Delegated

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20
Q

What are reserved powers?

A

Powers given to the states if the powers are not given to the federal govt or not forbidden to the states.

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21
Q

What are concurrent powers?

A

Powers given to both state and federal govt

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22
Q

What are exclusive powers?

A

Powers only given to the national govt

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23
Q

What are delegated powers?

A

Powers given to Congress in Article I of the Constitution

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24
Q

How often must Congress meet?

A

At least every year

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25
Q

What article of the Constitution states how often Congress must meet?

A

Article I

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26
Q

What powers does Congress have?

A

Declare war, set federal tax rates, regulate immigration

27
Q

What powers are denied from Congress?

A

Recognize other nations, Ex Post Facto Laws, Habeas Corpus

28
Q

What does Ex Post Facto Laws mean?

A

To make an act illegal after the act was done and
prosecute someone for it.

29
Q

What is Habeas Corpus?

A

Unjust indefinite imprisonment

30
Q

How many senators are in the US Senate?

A

100 (2 from each state)

31
Q

What are the requirements for becoming a US senator?

A

30 years old, citizen for 9 years

32
Q

How long are the terms for a US senator?

A

6 years

33
Q

How many members are in the US HoR?

A

435 members (members per state based on state populations)

34
Q

What are the requirements for becoming a representative in the US HoR?

A

25 years old, citizen for 7 years

35
Q

How long are terms for representatives in the US HoR?

A

2 years

36
Q

Who presides over the Senate?

A

Vice President or President Pro Tempore

37
Q

Who presides over the HoR?

A

Speaker of the House

38
Q

Through what process is the president elected?

A

Electoral College

39
Q

What decides what a state’s electoral college votes go to?

A

Popular vote, winner takes all

40
Q

Can the president declare war?

A

No (big myth)

41
Q

What is the Cabinet and what does it do?

A

They are the heads of Executive Departments and they advise the President

42
Q

How does a Cabinet member become a Cabinet member?

A

They are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate

43
Q

What are the requirements for becoming the President?

A

35 years old, lived in the US for 14 years, natural born citizen

44
Q

What powers does the president have?

A

Commander in Chief, recognizes other nations

45
Q

What does the V.P. do?

A

Takes the place of the president if necessary

46
Q

How do national judges become national judges?

A

Appointed by President and approved by the Senate

47
Q

How long do national judges serve for?

A

For life

48
Q

What is the main power of the US Judicial Branch?

A

Judicial Review

49
Q

What is Judicial Review?

A

Courts power to review Legislative and Executive actions

50
Q

In what case was Judicial Review established?

A

Established by Marbury v Madison

51
Q

What did the case Brown v Board of Ed Topeka Kansas do?

A

Overruled laws stating segregation was legal

52
Q

What are the types of courts on the national level?

A

District Courts, Courts of Appeals, and Supreme Court

53
Q

What is the only crime defined in the Const?

A

Treason

54
Q

What is treason?

A

Making war against the US or aiding an enemy

55
Q

What are the requirements for being convicted of treason?

A

Must confess in open court or have two eyewitnesses testify against them

56
Q

What does the 1st amendment do?

A

Provides freedoms to express self and disagree and criticize the government, freedom to observe any religion one wishes

57
Q

What do the 5th and 6th amendments do?

A

Give rights when accused of a crime:
- Can not be forced to testify against self.
- Can not be tried for same crime twice
- Right to a speedy and public trial

58
Q

What does the 10th amendment say?

A

Powers not given to Congress and not forbidden to the states are powers reserved and belong to the states. (Reserved Powers)

59
Q

What did the 13th amendment do?

A

Prohibited Slavery and involuntary servitude

60
Q

What does the 14th amendment say?

A

All people born in the US are citizens

61
Q

What does the 16th amendment say?

A

Congress has the power to levy and collect taxes

62
Q

What did the 18th amendment do?

A

Prohibited the making, sale or consumption of alcohol, aka prohibition

63
Q

What did the 21st amendment do?

A

Repealed the 18th Amendment allowing the making, sale and consumption of alcohol legal

64
Q

What did the 22nd amendment do?

A

Limited presidents to two terms, created by FDR

Government (3 decks)

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