U.S. Constitution: Articles I, II, & III Practice Quiz

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and constitutional principles from Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution.

Congress

The branch of government primarily responsible for making laws.

President

The title of the head of the Executive Branch.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the Judicial Branch.

Four Years

The length of a single term for the President of the United States.

The duration for which federal judges typically hold their offices, assuming "good behavior".

life

A specific crime defined in Article III that involves levying war against the U.S. or aiding its enemies.

Treason

House of Representatives

The part of Congress that holds the sole power to begin impeachment proceedings.

Senate

The part of Congress responsible for approving presidential appointments and treaties.

Veto

The power exercised by the President to disapprove and reject a bill that has passed both chambers of Congress.

Impeachment

The constitutional process initiated when the House of Representatives formally accuses the President of serious misconduct.

Pardon

The presidential power to forgive someone convicted of a federal crime or postpone their punishment.

Habeas Corpus

The constitutional right invoked when an arrested person demands to know why they are being held and to be brought before a judge.

Declare War

The sole authority of the government to formally announce military conflict.

Formal agreements negotiated by the President with foreign countries that often require Senate approval.

Treaties

Checks and Balances

The system in the U.S. government where each branch has ways to prevent the others from becoming too powerful.

Federalism

The concept of dividing governmental powers between the national (federal) government and individual state governments.

Limited Government

The idea that the government only has the powers given to it by the Constitution and that its power is not absolute.

Separation of Powers

The core principle reflected in the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches each having distinct duties (making, enforcing, and interpreting laws).

Judicial Independence

The key reason federal judges are given lifetime appointments, ensuring they do not face political pressure for their rulings.

Ex Post Facto

A type of law forbidden by the Constitution that would punish someone for an action that was legal when they did it.