Studied by 9 people
When was the Constitution written?
September 17, 1787
When was the Constitution adopted?
June 21, 1788
Who's the father of the constitution?
James Madison
What's the Great Compromise?
Bicameral Congress (House by pop, Senate equal, 2 per), compromised between VA Plan and NJ Plan
What's the 3/5 Compromise?
Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person, compromised between slave states and nonslave states
What's Article 1
Legislative Branch
What's Article 2
Executive Branch
Art 3
Judicial Branch
Art 4
State relations
Art 5
Amendment Process
Art 6
Fed gov has supreme power
Art 7
Ratification of the Constitution requires 9/13 states
Art 1 Section 8 Clauses 1-17
Enumerated powers/responsibilities of congress
Art 1 Section 8 Clause 18
Elastic clause, makes laws that are necessary and proper
Date when the Bill of Rights was adopted?
Dec 15, 1791
Why was it added?
Anti-Federalists wanted it to protect citizen's rights, was added so they would ratify Constitution
First Amendment (5 parts)
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition gov.
Second Amendment
Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment
The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of the owner
Fourth Amendment
Protects against unreasonable search and seizure
Fifth Amendment
Right to not have to testify against yourself, no double jeopardy
Sixth Amendment (6 parts)
Right to a speedy trial, an impartial and fair jury from own state, understanding the charges against you, face all witnesses, obtain your own witnesses, and right to an attorney.
Seventh Amendment
Right to trial by jury
Eighth Amendment
No cruel and unusual punishment
Ninth Amendment
People's rights are not limited to those listed in the Constitution
Tenth Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
How many amendments have been added since 1791?
17, there are now 27 in total
Implied powers
The powers of the national government that are necessary and proper in order to carry out its Expressed Powers. Called the Elastic Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18)
Reserved powers
Powers of the states, powers not clearly given to the national government and are not clearly denied to the state governments in the Constitution (10th Amendment)
Denied powers
Powers that are denied to the national government, the state government, or both. (Article 1, Section 9 &10)
Concurrent powers
powers that can be exercised by both state and national governments (Not listed in Constitution, but implied)
Supremacy powers
No state law can conflict with national law–the national government is supreme (Article 6 clause 2)
House of Reps requirements
At least 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, inhabitant of state being represented, elected for 2 year terms
Senator requirements
At least 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, live in state that is represented for, elected for 6 year terms
Presidency requirements
At least 35 years old, natural born citizen, lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years
435
members of House of Representatives
40
NJ state senators (4 year term)
How many NJ state legislative districts are there?
40
80
assemblymen/women (2 year term)
16
Legislative district we are in (democratic)
12
total NJ congressional districts
7
the congressional district we are in
100
members in senate
6
powers given to Congress in the Constitution
9
states needed to ratify an amendment
2/3
of house and senate to propose amendments
75%
of states needed to adopt an amendment
14
votes for NJ’s electoral college
strict constructionist
The philosophy where the Constitution is interpreted in a strict way. Justices will take an issue and look for the original intent meant by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution.
loose constructionist
The philosophy where the Constitution is interpreted loosely, reading between the lines in order to get a meaning or rule.
VA plan
Proposal made by James Madison for the creation of a supreme national government with three branches and bicameral legislature.
NJ Plan
Proposal for national government including one house of Congress, each state having equal representation, three branches of government
Great Compromise
A compromise where large and small states were somewhat satisfied–large states got House of Representatives where representation was based on population, small states got Senate where there was equal representation in all states
Popular Sovereignty
Government based on people’s consent–power is not real if it does not regard the wants and needs of the citizens. The people have the power.
Judicial Review
The ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive in violation of the Constitution. For example, if Congress were to pass a law violating a part of the Constitution, the Court can declare this unconstitutional.
Note 
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