POS 2041: The Constitution

This set of practice flashcards covers the historical origins of the US Constitution, the Articles of Confederation, major constitutional compromises, the structure of the three branches of government, types of representation, and the history and process of constitutional amendments.

In what year did the Tea Act take place?

$$1773$$

Which document was adopted in 1776, though it is not a constitution?

Declaration of Independence

What was the name of the first American constitution adopted in 1777?

The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union

Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government consisted of how many sovereign states?

$$13$$

What was a major military weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

No standing army

What was the specific name of the executive body under the Articles of Confederation?

Congress of the Confederacy

What level of agreement was required to amend the Articles of Confederation?

Unanimous agreement

When was the Constitutional Convention held?

$$1787$$

Which compromise counted a slave as a fraction of a person for House seat apportionment, and what was that fraction?

The Three-Fifths Compromise, counting a slave as $\frac{3}{5}$ of a person.

Which plan during the Great Compromise proposed representation based on population for the House?

The Virginia plan

Which plan during the Great Compromise provided states with equal representation in the Senate?

The New Jersey plan

Which constitutional clause promotes reciprocity among states?

The full faith and credit clause

Which clause promotes national power within the framework of Federalism?

The national supremacy clause

Under the Separation of Power, which branch regulates interstate commerce and establishes the lower-court system?

Legislative

What are three roles of the Executive branch regarding foreign policy and the military?

Serves as commander in chief of armed forces, makes foreign treaties, and nominates Supreme Court justices.

Which branch is responsible for deciding the constitutionality of laws and disputes between states?

Judicial

How many members are in the House of Representatives and how long is their term?

$435$ members serving $2$-year terms.

How many members are in the Senate and how long is their term?

$100$ members serving $6$-year terms.

What method is used for the indirect election of the President?

Electoral college

How many justices serve on the Supreme Court and what is their term length?

$9$ justices serving lifetime terms.

What is the definition of Descriptive Representation?

Citizens trust representatives because they share the same religious, gender, philosophical, or ethnic identities.

What is the definition of Agency Representation?

Constituents can hire and fire representatives based on their performance.

How many amendments have been made to the Constitution since 1791?

$$27$$

What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?

The Bill of Rights

Which amendments in the Bill of Rights place limits on the Executive branch?

Amendments II, III, and IV

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights protects against trial more than once for the same offense and prohibits taking property without just compensation?

Amendment V

Which amendment provided a national definition of citizenship in 1868?

Amendment XIV

Which amendment extended voting rights to women in 1920?

Amendment XIX

Which amendment abolished poll taxes to extend voting rights to all classes in 1964?

Amendment XXIV

Which amendment extended voting rights to citizens ages 18 and over in 1971?

Amendment XXVI

Which amendment provided for the direct election of senators in 1913?

Amendment XVII

Which amendment established the national power to tax incomes?

Amendment XVI

What is Route 1 for proposing a constitutional amendment at the national level?

Passage in House and Senate, each by two-thirds vote.

What is Route C for ratifying a constitutional amendment at the state level?

Acceptance by majority vote in the legislatures of three-fourths ($38$) of the states.