Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, & Bill of Rights Test

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.