Week 5 - US Constitution

Question 1

Constitution Convention

Answer 1

took place from May 25-Sept 17, 1787 in Philadelphia to address the problems in governing the US which was operating under the Articles of Confederation

Question 2

Virginia Plan

Answer 2

proposal for bicameral legislative branch; James Madison is given chief credit; states would be represented based on population (now the House of Representatives)

Question 3

New Jersey Plan

Answer 3

proposed in response to the Virginia plan which would give each state equal representation regardless of population (unicameral legislature - one vote per state); now the Senatet

Question 4

Article One

Answer 4

describes the power of legislative branch (Congress), establishes powers of and limitations of the Congress (House of Representatives and Senate); also details manner of election and qualifications for House and Senate

Question 5

Article Two

Answer 5

creates and describes the executive branch of the government, consisting of the President, VP, and other executive officers chosen by the President

Question 6

Article Three

Answer 6

establishes the judicial branch, which is made up the the Supreme Court and lower courts as created by Congress

Question 7

Article Four

Answer 7

outlines the duties states have to each other, as well as those the federal government has to the states; provides for the admission of new states and the changing of state boundaries

Question 8

Article Five

Answer 8

describes the process whereby Congress may be altered; amendments may be proposed by either 2/3 of Congress or national convention assembled by at least 2/3 of states; also describes ratification of new amendments

Question 9

Article Six

Answer 9

establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, and forbids a religious test as a requirement for holding a government position

Question 10

Article Seven

Answer 10

provides how many state ratifications were necessary in order for the Constitution to take effect and how a state could ratify it

Question 11

Bill of Rights

Answer 11

1791; the first 10 amendments to the Constitution

Question 12

First Amendment

Answer 12

freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition

Question 13

Second Amendment

Answer 13

the right to bear arms

Question 14

Third Amendment

Answer 14

prohibits quartering of soldiers

Question 15

Fourth Amendment

Answer 15

guards against unreasonable search and seizures and requires a warrant to be supported by probable cause

Question 16

Fifth Amendment

Answer 16

due process; freedom from double jeopardy or self-incrimination

Question 17

Sixth Amendment

Answer 17

right to a speedy, public trial with an impartial jury

Question 18

Seventh Amendment

Answer 18

the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases, and asserts that cases may not be re-examined by another court

Question 19

Eighth Amendment

Answer 19

prohibits excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishments

Question 20

Ninth Amendment

Answer 20

addresses rights of the people that are not specifically enumerated in the Constitution

Question 21

Tenth Amendment

Answer 21

states the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that the powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the States are reserved to the States or the people

Question 22

Eleventh Amendment

Answer 22

deal’s with each state’s sovereign immunity; 1795; adopted in order to overrule the US Supreme Court’s decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793)

Question 23

Twelfth Amendment

Answer 23

1804; provides the procedure for electing the President and the Vice President; replaces a clause in Article II regarding Electoral College

Question 24

Thirteenth Amendment

Answer 24

1864; outlaws slavery

Question 25

Reconstruction Amendments

Answer 25

Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth; transformed US from slavery to where all men are free

Question 26

Fourteenth Amendment

Answer 26

1868; consists of citizenship clause, due process clause, and equal protection clause

Question 27

Fifteenth Amendment

Answer 27

1870; allows black men to vote

Question 28

Sixteenth Amendment

Answer 28

1913; allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states; other taxation restrictions

Question 29

Seventeenth Amendment

Answer 29

1913; establishes direct election of United States Senators by popular vote (supersedes clause in Article I under which Senators were elected by state legislatures)

Question 30

Eighteenth Amendment

Answer 30

1920; established prohibition

Question 31

Nineteenth Amendment

Answer 31

1920; allows women to vote

Question 32

Twentieth Amendment

Answer 32

1933; establishes beginning and ending of the terms of the elected federal offices; also deals with scenarios in which their is no president-elect

Question 33

Twenty-first Amendment

Answer 33

1933; repealed the Eighteenth Amendment (prohibition)

Question 34

Twenty-second Amendment

Answer 34

1947; sets a term limit for election to the office of President

Question 35

Twenty-third Amendment

Answer 35

1961; permits citizens in the District of Columbia to vote for electors for President and Vice-President

Question 36

Twenty-fourth Amendment

Answer 36

1964; prohibits Congress and the states from condition the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or other types of tax

Question 37

Twenty-fifth Amendment

Answer 37

1967; deals with succession to the Presidency and establishes the procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of VP as well as responding to Presidential disabilities

Question 38

Twenty-sixth Amendment

Answer 38

1971; barred the states or federal government from setting a voting age higher than eighteen

Question 39

Twenty-seventh Amendment

Answer 39

1992; prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of the Congress from taking effect until the start of the next set of terms