The United States Constitution: Articles and Amendments

Vocabulary flashcards covering the legislative, executive, and judicial branches established in Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Constitution, as well as the constitutional amendment process.

Article 1

The section of the Constitution that establishes the legislative branch as the law-making body known as Congress.

Legislative Branch

The law-making body consisting of Congress, which is divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Senate

The chamber of Congress composed of $100$ members who serve terms of $6$ years.

House of Representatives

The chamber of Congress composed of $435$ members who serve terms of $2$ years.

Article 2

The section of the Constitution that establishes the executive branch, headed by the President and Vice President.

Executive Branch

The branch of government led by the President and Vice President responsible for executing and carrying out laws passed by Congress, with the President serving a term of $4$ years.

Amend

To change, fix, adapt, or improve the Constitution, a process intended by the Founding Fathers.

$27$ Amendments

The total number of amendments added to the Constitution.

Proposal (Amending the Constitution)

The initial step in amending the Constitution where an idea is submitted, initiated either through Congress or a National Convention.

Ratification (Amending the Constitution)

The formal approval step in the constitutional amendment process, carried out by the states (such as by $2/3$ of the states).

Article 3

The section of the Constitution that establishes the judicial branch and the Supreme Court.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for judging and interpreting the laws.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the judicial branch whose justices hold lifetime appointments to judge and interpret laws.

Article 1

The section of the Constitution that establishes the legislative branch, the law-making body known as Congress.

Senate

A chamber of Congress composed of $100$ members who serve terms of $6\text{ years}$.

House of Representatives

A chamber of Congress composed of $435$ members who serve terms of $2\text{ years}$.

Article 2

The section of the Constitution that establishes the executive branch, led by the President and Vice President to execute and carry out laws passed by Congress.

Presidential Term

The length of time the President serves in office, which is $4\text{ years}$.

Amend

To change, fix, adapt, or improve the Constitution, a process intended by the founding fathers.

Amendments

Formal changes made to the Constitution, totaling $27$ in number.

Proposal

The first step in the constitutional amendment process where an idea is submitted or decided, either via Congress or a National Convention.

Ratification

The second step in the constitutional amendment process meaning to approve, which can occur through state approval such as by $2/3$ of the states.

Article 3

The section of the Constitution establishing the Judicial Branch, which is tasked with judging or interpreting laws.

Supreme Court

The highest body within the judicial branch, composed of nine justices who hold a lifetime appointment.