The U.S. Constitution Quiz 1

Federalists

Wanted a stronger national government, wanted a new constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation, didn’t think the bill of rights was necessary, and favored dividing powers among different branches of government.

-Anti-Federalists:

Wanted states to hold more power than federal government, thought a bill of rights was necessary, and wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation

Popular Sovereignty

Authority derive from the people, Consent of the Governed

Limited Government

Government can only exercise powers granted to it

Rule of Law

No one is above the law

Separation of Powers

Distribution of powers among independent branches

Checks and Balances

Controlling government powers, branches can restrain actions of other branches

Federalism

Sharing of power between Federal/National and State Governments

Republicanism/Representation

We vote for representatives who makes decisions on our behalf

Individual Rights

Certain rights are protected and the government cannot violate them

Three main parts of the Constitution

Preamble, Articles, and Amendments

The Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution

Article 1

Creates the two parts of the Congress. They are responsible for making laws (Legislative Branch)

Article 2

Creates the job of President, called the Executive Branch. Responsible for enforcing the laws

Article 3

Establishes judges, called the Judiciary. They decide if a law is allowable, or if it goes against the Constitution (Judicial Branch)

Article 4

States Rights

Article 5

How to change the constitution

Article 6

Concerns the United States

Article 7

Explained how the Constitution was agreed to

Amendment 1

Freedom of RAPPS (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech)

Amendment 2

Right to Bear Arms

Amendment 3

No Quartering Soldiers

Amendment 4

No unreasonable search or seizure

Amendment 5

Right in a Criminal Case (I plead the fifth)

Amendment 6

Right to a fair and speedy trial

Amendment 7

Right to a Jury Trial (Civil Cases)

Amendment 8

No cruel or unusual punishment

Amendment 9

Rights not Listed

Amendment 10

Powers or duties that the Federal Government doesn’t have, belong to the states (Federalism)

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 1

Every bill starts out as an idea

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 2

Every bill must start out and be introduced by a Congressman

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 3

After it is introduced, each bill is then sent to the standing committee

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 4

Those who hold merit are sent to a subcommittee to research

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 5

The subcommittee will report to the standing committee who will decide if the bill should pass without changes, have changes and pass it along, replace the bill with an alternative one, or kill the bill

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 6

If the bill is approved by he committee, then it is ready for consideration by the full House or the Senate

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 7

When the members of Congress are ready to vote they may do so by voice vote, standing vote, roll-call, or today’s computerized vote, etc

How A Bill Becomes a Law Step 8

Presidential Action is the final step

Supremacy Clause

Article 6, Declares that the Constitution, federal laws made under it, and U.S. treaties are the “Supreme Law of the Land” overriding any conflicting state laws or constitutions

Legislative Checks

On executive: Override vetoes, pass laws limiting executive actions, controls government spending, impeaches and removes civil officers, and approves appointments and treaties

On the judicial: Impeaches and removes federal judges, proposes constitutional amendments

Executive Checks

On the Legislative: Veto legislation

On the judicial: Nominates federal judges; grants pardon and reprieves

Judicial Checks

On the legislative: Reviews and interprets laws; declares acts unconstitutional

On the executive: Reviews and interprets the laws, federal judges not subject to removal by president, declares executive acts unconstitutional

House of Representatives

435, Speaker of the House, decides the committees each member will serve on and decides the order in which bills will be heard

Senate

100 members (2 per state), Pro Tempore of Senate, Approves all treaties and appointments