US CONSTITUTION TEST (updated 2024) (copy)

system of government in which power is divided between a central and state government

Federalism

laws will be fair and rules will be applied without exception; life, liberty, and property cannot be denied without this

Due Process

each branch of government can limit the power of the other two examples include presidential veto, Congressional override, and the court ruling a law unconstitutional

Checks and Balances

powers shared by the national and state government like making laws, collecting taxes, and establishing courts

Concurrent Powers

Montesquieu's idea that powers of government should be divided between separate branches

Separation of powers

comes from the people

Governmental power

Constitution

Supreme Law of the Land

legislative, executive, judicial

Branches of Government

powers given just to states such as establishing schools, speed limits, and driving age

Reserved Powers

each state receives a number equal to members in Congress

Electoral Votes

national laws take precedence over state laws in a conflict

Supremacy clause

process by which a person of another country can become a US citizen

Naturalization

a person must be charged with a crime to be held more than 48 hours

Writ of Habeas Corpus

taken every 10 years

census

January 20th

Inauguration Day

appointed by the President to represent the US in foreign policy

Secretary of State

presides over the Senate

Vice President

officially elects the President

Electoral College

cabinet member appointed by the President to lead the Justice Department and act as the chief lawyer for the US government

Attorney General

VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore

Presidential Succession

appointed to oversee and coordinate counter-terrorism intelligence

Secretary of Homeland Security

appointment by President and confirmed by Senate

Federal Judges receive their positions

required to remove a federal judge from office, House accuses(impeaches) and Senate convicts

Impeachment process

Article 1, makes laws, made up of House and Senate

Legislative Branch

article 2 of the Constitution, made up of President and cabinet, enforces laws

Executive Branch

article 3 of the Constitution, made up of Supreme Court and lower courts, interprets laws

Judicial Branch

makes laws, approves cabinet choices and treaties, serves unlimited 6 year terms, 2 per state/100 total members

Senate

435 total, serve unlimited 2 year terms, selects the President if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes

House of Representatives

25, citizen for 7 years, live in state you represent

US House of Representatives qualifications

30 years old, citizen for 9 years, live in state you represent

Senate qualifications

35 years old, resident of US for 14 years, natural born citizen

Presidential qualifications

4 years. Can serve 2 terms or 10 years total after 22nd amendment

Presidential Term

presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President

President Pro Tempore

leader of the House of Representatives

Speaker of the House

interpret laws

Role of Supreme Court

make laws

Role of Congress

enforce laws

Role of President

9 members who serve life terms, only qualification is good behavior

Supreme Court

approved by House and Senate, signed by President

Bill to become a law

the ability of the Supreme Court to declare a law or action unconstitutional

judicial review

voting age 18 , 18 year olds are the most recent group to earn the right to vote

26th amendment

abolished poll tax to prevent discrimination against certain voters

24th amendment

right to vote for residents of D.C.

23rd amendment

limited President to two terms or 10 years

22nd amendment

inauguration day

20th amendment

womens suffrage (right to vote)

19th amendment

right to vote regardless of race

15th amendment

defines citizenship; states cannot deny anyone equal protection of the law

14th amendment

powers not given to the national government or prohibited from the states belong to the states or the people

10th amendment

abolished slavery

13th amendment

added to the Constitution to make clear that basic rights were guareenteed even if they were not stated specifically

9th amendment

cruel and unusual punishment is not allowed

8th amendment

criminal proceedings (cannot be forced to testify against yourself), due process, double jeopardy and eminent domain

5th amendment

the government has the right to take your property given just compensation

eminent domain

protects citizens against unlawful search and seizure, a judge issued search warrant is required for searches

4th amendment

right to bear keep and bear arms

2nd amendment

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

1st amendment