U.S. Constitution Exam

Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

An ineffective set of laws that established the 1st constitution and government of the United States

The Great Compromise

The _________ declared states would have equal representation in one house of legislature and representation based on the population in the other house.

Shays' Rebellion

__________________________ motivated the Continental Congress to organize a Constitutional Convention and create a new Constitution + inspired Antifederalists to demand the new U.S. Constitution include amendments that explicitly protected individual human rights (the Bill of Rights).

Three-Fifths Compromise

The _____________________ ensured Southern states with small populations of eligible voters greater representation in the House of Representatives. Although it persuaded many delegates at the Constitutional Convention to vote in favor of ratification, it also resulted in systemic racism and white supremacy being legally protected by the U.S. Constitution until it's nullification in 1865 after the passing of the 13th amendment.

Federalism

What is the name of the political philosophy that argues a division of powers between the national and state governments, as well as a system of checks and balances, are necessary to protect citizens from a tyrannical government?

Legislative Branch

Which branch of government makes the laws?

Executive Branch

Which branch of government is headed by the President and in charge of enforcing or carrying out the nation's laws?

Judicial Branch

Which branch of government includes the federal court system and is responsible for interpreting the nation's laws to determine if they are constitutional or not?

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Preamble

What is the formal name for an introduction that explains the purpose of important documents (like constitutions)?

To state why the new U.S. government is being formed and to show the legitimacy (right to rule) of the new U.S. government

What two purposes does the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution serve?

Amend

The ability to ____________________, or make a formal change to the Constitution, is what gives our Representative Democracy the power to evolve and change with society and the world we live in.

proposing an amendment to the Constitution

A two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate OR by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures are the requirements for __________________________________________________

three-fourths (38 of 50)

A proposed amendment becomes part of the Constitution as soon as it is ratified by __________________________ of the States

A constitutional amendment

How can a law that was initially declared unconstitutional become constitutional?

Census

The Constitution requires the government to conduct a __________ every 10 years to determine the country's population and the number of representatives in Congress for each of the states.

Concurrent Powers

What is the name for powers the Constitution gives to both the state and federal government, like the power to levy taxes?

Implied Powers

What are the powers that are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution called?

Enumerated Powers

What are the powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution called?

extradition

The act of returning a person charged with a crime to the state where the crime was committed is called _________________________________ in the U.S. Constitution

Veto

The right to prohibit or reject something is also known as a __________________.

Impeachment

A judicial procedure in which a government official is accused of wrongdoing and brought to trial before a legislative body is called _____________________________.

Electoral college

A group of delegates selected to elect the President. Each state's number of electors is equal to the number of its senators and representatives in Congress

False

True or false? The Electoral College ensures the Presidential candidate that the majority of the population votes for wins the election.

True

True or false? Because of the Electoral College, a Presidential candidate that wins the popular in Illinois by 2 votes receives the same number of electoral votes (20) as a Presidential candidate that wins the popular vote in Illinois by over 1 million votes?

270

How many electoral votes does a Presidential candidate need to win the Presidency?

Article 1

Which article of the Constitution describes the powers of Congress?

Article 1

Which article of the Constitution of the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to coin money (at the national/federal level, NOT the state level)?

Congress

The legislative branch of government, as described in Article I of the US Constitution, consisting of the House of Representatives and Senate. Primarily responsible for making laws.

House of Representatives

The term length for someone elected to this house in Congress is 2 years

Senate

The term length for someone elected to this house in Congress is 6 years

Congress

Has the power to draft an army.

Senate

In an effort to try and make the government more stable, each state is allowed to have 2 members in this house in Congress

Congress

Has the power to declare war

House of Representatives

The number of representatives for each state determined by the state's population and is designed to reflect the will of the people.

Congress

Has the power to borrow money from other countries.

Congress

The President has the power to appoint someone to take over the office of Vice President if there is a vacancy, but _________________ has the power to approve or reject the appointment.

a 2/3 majority vote in both houses of Congress (the House and the Senate)

What does it take for Congress to override a President's veto and pass a bill into law?

Elastic Clause

The part of the Constitution that permits Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carrying out its powers

House of Representatives

Has the power to bring impeachment charges against a government official

House of Representatives

Has the power to choose the President if no Presidential candidate receives the majority of the electoral vote in an election.

Speaker of the House

The next in line to take over the Presidency if both the President and Vice President are killed.

Senate

Has the power to impeach/remove a government official from office with a ⅔ vote.

Vice President

The President of the Senate

Senate

Has the power to CHECK the Executive Branch by refusing to approve/ratify treaties the President makes with foreign nations.

Senate

Has the power to CHECK the Executive Branch by rejecting people that have been nominated for a Supreme Court Justice or federal judge position.

Article 2

This section of the Constitution describes the powers of the President and the Executive Branch

President

To run for you must be (1) at least 35 years old, (2) a natural-born citizen, and (3) a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years

the bill becomes law

What happens to a bill if the President lets it sit on their desk without signing it for more than 10 days while Congress is in session?

President

The Commander in Chief is also known as _______.

President

Has the power to make treaties with other nations.

State of the Union Address

The yearly report of the president to Congress, as required by the Constitution, in which the nation's condition is described and programs/laws are recommended to Congress by the President

President

Has the power to appoint federal judges and justices.

Cabinet

The main role of the ____________ is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member's respective office. It includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

President

Has the power to CHECK the Legislative Branch by vetoing laws it creates

Article 3

This section of the Constitution describes the powers of the Supreme Court

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States established by the Constitution. Members of this court are appointed by the President and serve life terms unless found guilty of misbehavior or inappropriate conduct.

9

How many Supreme Court Justices are there?

life

How long are Supreme Court Justices allowed to hold their positions?

Supreme Court

Has the power to CHECK the Legislative Branch by declaring laws they make unconstitutional.

judicial review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional

Article 5

This section of the Constitution states that Congress has the ability to alter or add to the Constitution if necessary

Bill of Rights

A formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1-10, and in all state constitutions.

Habeas Corpus

A citizen's right not to be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime and brought before a judge or a court

Due process

- Right to a fair and public trial conducted in a competent manner

- Right to be present at the trial

- Right to an impartial jury

- Right to be heard in one's own defense

- Protection from being forced to testify against oneself in court by the federal government

Suffrage (The right to vote)

Women were not granted this until the 19th amendment was ratified on August 18th, 1920.

Naturalization

The legal process by which a foreign born person is granted full citizenship

Double Jeopardy

A citizen's right to not be tried more than once for the same crime

1st Amendment

Which part of the Constitution contains the establishment clause which argues there should be a separation of church and state?

Eminent Domain

The part of the 5th Amendment that protects people's private property from being taken for public use without just payment or compensation is also known as __________.

1st Amendment

This section of the Constitution guarantees citizens the freedom of religion, assembly, petition, press, and speech

1st Amendment

This section of the Constitution was designed to create a separation between church and state

2nd Amendment

This section of the Constitution gives citizens the right to form a militia and own a gun

4th Amendment

This section of the Constitution requires judges to issue search warrants before law enforcement can search a citizen's house

5th Amendment

This section of the Constitution protects citizens from being forced to testify against themselves in court by the federal government

6th Amendment

This section of the Constitution requires that all citizens accused of a crime have the right to legal representation as well as a speedy, public trial

14th Amendment

This section of the Constitution was designed to protect the rights of citizens from unjust and oppressive state laws

21st Amendment

This section of the Constitution repeals the Amendment that outlawed alcohol in the U.S.A

19th Amendment

This section of the Constitution guarantees the right to vote for women

federal government

The main purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect the rights of U.S. citizens from being violated or abused by the ____________.

13th Amendment

This section of the Constitution outlaws slavery

U.S. Constitution

ALL people living in the United States and its territories, regardless of their personal, cultural, ethnic, or religious beliefs, are required to follow the Supreme Law of the land, which is more commonly known as the ________________.