Constitution Quiz

Preamble

Preamble

Defines the purposes of the government, including ensuring justice and peace, providing defense, and securing liberty.

Article I

Establishes the legislative branch, including the House of Representatives and Senate, and outlines their powers and elections.

Article II

Sets up the executive branch, detailing the roles of the President and Vice President, and their powers and duties.

Article III

Establishes the judicial branch, including terms of office, jurisdiction, and punishment for treason.

Article IV

Addresses relationships between states, including respect for state laws and privileges of citizens.

Article V

Outlines the process for amending the Constitution, requiring a 2/3 vote in Congress or state conventions.

Article VI

Establishes the supremacy of federal law over state law and honors prior debts.

Article VII

States that ratification of the Constitution requires approval from 9 states.

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Provides the basis for implied powers of Congress.

Supremacy Clause

Asserts that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Habeas Corpus Clause

Ensures individuals know the reasons for their detention or arrest.

Bill of Attainders

Prohibits punishment without a trial for a supposed crime.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Prevents increasing punishment for a crime after conviction.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize the laws and court decisions of other states.

Due Process Clauses

Protects individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or happiness without legal process.

Equal Protection Clause

Guarantees equal protection under the law for all individuals.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Veto Power

Allows Congress to override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote.

Treaty Ratification

Requires a 2/3 Senate vote to ratify treaties.

Impeachment

The House can impeach the president, requiring a 2/3 Senate vote for conviction.

Electoral College

If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the House chooses the president.

Amendment Proposal

Can be proposed by a 2/3 vote in both houses or by state conventions.

1st Amendment

Protects freedoms of petition, assembly, religion, press, and speech (PARPS).

9th Amendment

Affirms that citizens have rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not granted to the U.S. or prohibited to the states to the states or the people.

14th Amendment

Extends the Bill of Rights to the states and guarantees equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Grants voting rights to all men over 21 regardless of race.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.

Two powers denied to Congress

• Migration or Importation of slaves cannot be prohibited by Congress before 1808

• No preference given to ports in the U.S.

Two powers denied to the States

• Cannot enter any treaty, alliance, or confederation with foreign states

• No state shall keep a standing army or navy