Constitution Study Guide

What are Inalienable rights

Rights that someone cannot take away from you. Ex. Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness

What is the purpose of the government

To protect the inalienable rights of the people

Are the powers given to the government limited or unlimited

Limited because the constitution has checks and balences

When should the government be changed

When it becomes destructive to the rights of the people

Self evident truth

Something that is true without having to explain it

What are the six stated purposes of the government

Establish justice, form a perfect union, insure domestic tranquility,f provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty

What are the qualifications for members of the house

At least 25 years old, resident of the US for at least seven years, be a resident of the state they represent.

What is the elastic clause

The elastic clause allows for congress to do actions that carry out the powers in the constitution. It’s called this because the powers can stretch over time.

What are some powers denied to the states

Cannot engage in war unless in immediate danger. Cannot enter a treaty, alliance, or confederation. And cannot coin money

What are some of the powers granted to congress

Maintain a navy, establish post offices and post roads, to coin money, to raise and support army’s, to declare war

Who is the president of the senate and when can they vote

The current VP is the president of the senate and they can only vote to break a tie.

How long do members of the house of reps. serve

They serve for two years

What is the preamble

A document that outlines the goals of the constitution

What is the difference between Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives

Congress is made up of the senate and house. The senate has two senators from each state, while the house has members based off the population of each state

What is the name of the legislative branch of government

The legislative branch of government is part of Congress

Who makes up the legislative branch

The senators and the members of the house

What is the main point of the legislative branch

To make laws

What is the main point of the exectutive branch

To enforce laws

What is the main point of the judical branch

To interpert laws

What are limitations on Congress

No one can be guilty without a trial, can’t criminalize legal acts/make the punishment of a crime more severe after it was committed, writ of habeas corpus cannot be suspended unless of a rebellion or invasion of public safety.

Do both houses have to approve a bill for it to become law

Yes, so that each state gets a more equal say in things.

What are the qualifications to be a president

Be at least 35 years old, be born in the US, and be a resident of the US for at least 14 years.

Who makes up the executive branch

The president, the VP, and the heads of the executive departments

How long does the president serve

The president serves a four year long term.

How are electors determined in the electoral college

Each state has electors equal to its senators and representatives

How many electors do you need to become president

You need 270 electors to win the presidential race.

What is federalism

A form of government when the central government shares power with regional and state governments

What is popular sovereignty

The ultimate political power rests in the people, who gives the government the authority via elections 

Checks and balences

Divides the government into three sections, preventing one group from becoming too powerful

What is republicanism

A representative form of government where people vote on others to represent them.

What day does the president get elected

The Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November

What are some of the executive powers

Veto and sign bills, make treaties with the approval of congress, grant pardons, enforce laws congress passes

If a president vetoes a bill, can it still become a law

Yes, if Congress overturns the veto, they must approve the bill again with 2/3rds majority 

Who makes up the Judical branch

The supreme court and the lower federal courts

How long do supreme court justices serve for

Life, otherwise if they ran for election they could get sponsors and bribes

What is the topic of article IV

Relationships between states, and between states and the federal government

What are some of the responsibilities between the states

(Full faith and credit) If asked they had to share their court proceedings with other states. (Privileges and Immunities)Cannot discriminate someone from another state and return fugitives

What are some limitations on adding new states to the union

 No state can exist within another state, like no microstates within another bigger state, and two states can not form into one larger state.

What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed Amendment?

2/3rds of congress is needed to approve a proposed amendment

What fraction of the states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified?

3/4ths of the states are needed to approve the proposed amendment for it to become ratified

What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between laws?

Federal laws will rule over state laws

How many states had to ratify the constitution for it to become law

9 out of the original 13 states had to ratify the constitution before it became law

What amendment gave us civil liberties 

The First Amendment gave us free speech, press, religion, and assembly 

What amendment gave us the right to bear arms

The second amendment

What amendment stopped soldiers being able to come into your house

The third amendment

What amendment stopped unlawful search and seizures

The fourth amendment

What amendment gave us the due process of law

The fifth amendment

What amendment gave us the rights of the accused

The sixth amendment

What amendment gave us trial by jury in a civil case

The seventh amendment

What amendment barred cruel and unusual punishments

The 8th amendment

What amendment gave us other rights not stated in the constitution

The 9th amendment

What amendment limits the governments power

The 10th amendment

What amendment abolished slavery 

The 13th amendment

What amendment gives everyone equal protection under the law

The 14th amendment

What amendment gave African Americans the right to vote

The 15th amendment

What amendment gave women the right to vote

The 19th amendment

What amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote

The 26th amendment