Key Concepts from the Constitution

These flashcards cover key concepts, powers, and limitations outlined in various articles of the Constitution.

Article 1, Section 1

Establishes legislative powers granted to Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Article 1 section 2

House of Representatives 2-year terms, 25 years old, 7 years a U.S. citizen, resident of the state. Led by the Speaker of the House, power to impeach (simple majority), reapportionment every 10 years.

Article 1 section 3

Senate Qualifications: 2 Senators per state, 6-year terms, 30 years old, 9 years a U.S. citizen, resident of the state. Powers: Vice President presides, President Pro Tempore leads in absence, holds impeachment trials (requires 2/3 vote).

Article 1, Section 7

Describes powers regarding the President's ability to veto bills; Congress can override the veto with a supermajority (2/3); All tax bills must start in the House. Legislative process.

Enumerated powers of Congress (Article 1, Section 8)

Key powers include naturalization, raising and supporting Army/Navy, power of the purse, regulating interstate commerce, creating lower courts, declaring war, and the Necessary & Proper Clause.

Article 1 section 9

Limits of Congress, include: Cannot suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus (except in war/emergency), No Bills of Attainder, No Ex Post Facto laws, No titles of nobility.

Article 2, Section 1

Pres Qualifications include 4-year terms, natural-born citizen, U.S. resident for 14 years, at least 35 years old; If no candidate gets 270 electoral votes, House picks President.

Article 2, Section 2

Powers of the President include being Commander in Chief, granting reprieves and pardons, making treaties (Senate must confirm), making appointments (Senate must confirm), heads the Cabinet and executive departments.

Article 2, Section 3

Duties of the President include giving the State of the Union address and the ability to call special sessions of Congress.

Article 3

Establishes the Judicial Branch, creates the Supreme Court, allows Congress to create lower courts, and states that judges have life terms.

Article 3, Section 3

Defines treason against the U.S.

Article 5

Amendment Process: Proposal requires 2/3 of Congress or 2/3 of states calling a national convention; Ratification needs 3/4 of state legislatures or 3/4 of state conventions.

Article 6

Supremacy Clause: States that the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Article 4

Describes the relationship between states, including the Full Faith and Credit Clause, which says states need they recognize and honor the acts, decisions, and records of other states.

Article 7

Describe the ratification of the Constitution and its process. 9/13 states need to vote for the Constitution for it to take effect.