What is The U.S Constitution?

What is the Supreme law of the U.S?

The U.S Constitution

The Constitution is the _____ and source of legal authority underlying the U.S and Federal government.

foundation (skeleton)

What does the Constitution provied to the U.S government?

The framework for the organization of the U.S government

What are the Basic Principles of the Constitution?

Popular sovereignty (Gov. power resides in people)

Limited Government (Gov. is not all powerful, can only do what people let them do)

Separation of powers (Prevents one branch from getting to much power)

Federalism (Division of power among state and National gov.)

What is the structure of the Constitution?

Preamble

Articles

I : legislative Branch

II : Executive Branch

III : Judicial Branch

IV :Relations among the states

V : Amendment Process

VI : Federal Powers

VII :Ratification

How many Amendments are there?

27

What are the first 10 Amendments called?

The Bill of Rights

According to Article I, is the legislative branch uni or bicameral?

Bicameral

How many people does each state get in the Senate, and does the pop. size matter?

Each state gets 2 senators, and the pop. size does not matter.

How long is a senator’s term?

6 years.

How long is a term of a representative in the house of represenatives?

2 years

T/F) The among of representatives each state gets depends on the population.

True

What are the important powers of the Legislative Branch according to Article I?

To)

make laws

set taxes

declare war

override vetoes

borrow money

regulate international and national trade

Print money

How long is a term for the President and Vice president according to article II?

4 years

How is the President and Vice President elected?

Through the Electoral College

What are the qualifications to be Preisdent?

At least 35 years old

Natural born citizen

14 year resident of the U.S

What are the powers of the Executive Branch?

Commander in Chief( control of military)

Grant Pardons

Make treaties

Appoint federal officers

Ensure laws are executed

How long does a term last for the Judges in the Supreme court according to Article III?

For life, unless impeached

Where do Judicial powers rests?

Within the U.S Supreme Court and other Courts by Congress

What are the powers of the Judicial Branch?

Decide cases of federal and constitutional law, cases involving ambassadors, and Judicial review (came later from Marbury V. Madison)

How many states or proportion of the house and senate are needed to propose an ammendment?

At least 2/3

How many state legislatures or conventions of states must agree to ratify a amendment?

At least 3/4

What does the Supremacy Clause state? IMPORTANT

Federal law is supreme to state laws

What does Article VI say about religious tests for public office?

It is NOT allowed

What do amendments 1-5 say in the Bill of Rights?

1) Freedom of Religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition

2) Right to bear arms

3) No quartering of Soldiers

4) No unreasonable Search and seizure

5) Indictments ; Due process; self- incrimination, double jeopardy, and rules of eminent domain

What do amendments 6-10 say in the Bill of Rights?

6) Right to a fair and speedy public trial, Notice of accusations, confronting one’s accuser, subpoenas, Right to counsel

7) Right to a trial by Jury in any cases

8) No excessive bails and fines or cruel or unusual punishments

9) Other rights not written in the constitution

10) All rights not given to the federal government are given to the states and people.

What did the 13th amendment do?

Abolish Slavery

What did the 14th amendment do?

1) Due process and equal protection under the law.

2) All people born in the U.S are citizens

What did the 15th amendment do?

Right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude

What did the 18th amendment do?

Prohibit alcohol

What did the 19th amendment do?

Allow for women to vote (women’s suffrage)

What did the 21st amendment do?

Repeal the prohibition of alcoho

What did the 24th amendment do?

Prohibit poll taxes on voting

What did the 26th amendment do?

Lowered voting age to 18