U.S. Constitution: Articles, Principles, and Amendments Overview

What is the purpose of the Preamble?

To outline the objectives and responsibilities of government.

What does bicameral mean?

A legislative body comprised of two chambers.

What is the composition of the House of Representatives?

Proportional to the state's population, with 435 voting representatives.

How long is a representative's term?

2 years, with no term limits.

What qualifications are needed to be a representative?

Must be 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and live in the state represented.

Who is the chief officer of the House?

The Speaker of the House.

What is an important power of the House?

Has the authority to impeach federal officials.

What is the composition of the Senate?

2 representatives per state, totaling 100 senators.

How long is a senator's term?

6 years, with no term limits.

What qualifications are needed to be a senator?

Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and live in the state represented.

What is the role of the Vice President in the Senate?

Serves as President of the Senate and can vote only in the event of a tie.

What are some important powers of the Senate?

Tries impeached officials, provides advice and consent to treaties, and confirms presidential appointees.

What is the legislative process?

All revenue bills originate in the House; all bills must pass through both chambers.

What powers are granted to Congress?

Lay and collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, declare war.

What powers are denied to Congress?

Cannot suspend a Writ of Habeas Corpus, pass a bill of attainder, or grant titles of nobility.

What powers are denied to states?

Cannot enter treaties, coin money, or keep troops in peacetime.

What does the Necessary & Proper Clause say?

Congress can pass laws deemed necessary and proper to carry out its duties.

What are the President's and Vice President's terms of office?

4 years, with a maximum of two terms.

What qualifications do the President and Vice President need?

Must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years.

How are the President and Vice President elected?

Elected by the Electors in the Electoral College.

What are the powers of the President?

Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, can grant pardons, make treaties, and appoint officials.

What is the State of the Union?

The President's annual address to Congress detailing the legislative agenda.

What does it mean to impeach?

To charge a government official with misconduct.

Under what circumstances can the President and VP be impeached?

If guilty of treason, bribery, or other high crimes/misdemeanors.

What is the term of a Supreme Court justice?

Can serve for life, or until they retire, resign, or are removed.

How are Supreme Court justices chosen?

Nominated by the President and approved by the Senate.

What does original jurisdiction mean?

A court's authority to hear a case for the first time.

What does appellate jurisdiction mean?

The authority to review and change decisions of lower courts.

What powers belong to the states?

Powers not explicitly given to the federal government.

What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause say?

States must recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause state?

States must recognize and respect the laws, proceedings, and judgments of other states.

What is meant by Privileges and Immunities?

Citizens are entitled to the same rights and immunities as citizens in other states.

What does Section 2, Clause 2 refer to?

Extradition; a person charged with a crime in one state who flees to another must be returned.

What guarantees are made to the states?

A republican form of government, protection against invasion, and protection against domestic violence.

How are new states admitted?

New states must be admitted by Congress and not by any one state.

What is the amendment process?

2/3 of each house of Congress can propose amendments or 2/3 of the states can call a convention.

What is required for ratification of an amendment?

3/4 of the state legislators or conventions in 3/4 of the states must approve.

What is the Supremacy Clause?

It establishes that the federal Constitution and federal law take precedence over state laws.

What did the Articles of Confederation create?

A 'league of friendship' between the states.

What power does Congress have regarding commerce?

Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

Congress can make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers.

What does the Extradition Clause entail?

A state can capture and return a fugitive to the original state for justice.

What does the Constitution declare as the Supreme Law of the Land?

The Constitution and its amendments.

What is the significance of the ratification process?

9 out of 13 states were needed to ratify the Constitution.

What does the clause about taxation state?

Congress has the right to lay and collect taxes to pay debts and provide for the welfare of the U.S.

What does the clause about a national judiciary establish?

It establishes a Supreme Court and lower courts to handle state disputes.

How is representation determined in the House of Representatives?

Based on population size as per the Virginia Plan.

How is representation in the Senate determined?

Two representatives per state regardless of size as per the New Jersey Plan.

What is the significance of the bicameral Congress?

It was established through The Great Compromise.

What does the clause about coining money state?

Congress has the right to coin money and regulate its value.

What is popular sovereignty?

The authority of government is derived from the consent of the governed through their elected representatives.

What are elections?

Officials are granted authority by the people who vote for them.

What are referendums?

People are given the power to weigh in on political issues.

What is a recall election?

In some states, citizens are allowed to recall elected officials.

What is limited government?

The idea that the government holds only the power granted to it by the Constitution and by the people.

What is the separation of powers?

The distribution of powers provided in the Constitution to prevent concentration of power.

What is the Bill of Rights?

A statement of rights that citizens are entitled to, limiting the powers of the U.S. government.

What are the three branches of government?

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

To grant each branch individual powers to check the other branches and prevent one from becoming too powerful.

What is republicanism?

A political system based on the idea of a representative government where elected officials represent citizens' beliefs and interests.

What is federalism?

The division of government power between national and state governments.

What are individual rights?

Rights granted to every US citizen that cannot be violated or taken away.

What does the First Amendment guarantee?

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

What does the Second Amendment protect?

The right to keep and bear arms.

What does the Third Amendment prohibit?

The quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent.

What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures.

What rights does the Fifth Amendment guarantee?

Rights of individuals accused of crimes, including the right to remain silent and due process.

What does the Sixth Amendment ensure?

The right to a fair and speedy trial by an impartial jury.

What does the Seventh Amendment guarantee?

The right to a trial by jury in civil cases.

What does the Eighth Amendment prohibit?

Excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.

What does the Ninth Amendment state?

Individuals possess rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution.

What does the Tenth Amendment affirm?

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

What did the Thirteenth Amendment accomplish?

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

What does the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee?

Equal protection under the law and due process to all citizens.

What does the Fifteenth Amendment prohibit?

Denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

What did the Seventeenth Amendment establish?

The direct election of United States Senators by popular vote.

What did the Nineteenth Amendment grant?

Women the right to vote.

What does the Twenty-Second Amendment limit?

The presidency to two terms.

What does the Twenty-Third Amendment provide?

Residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote for President and Vice President.

What does the Twenty-Fourth Amendment prohibit?

Poll taxes as a condition for voting in federal elections.

What does the Twenty-Fifth Amendment clarify?

The process for presidential succession and addressing presidential incapacity.

What did the Twenty-Sixth Amendment change?

Lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.

What does the Twenty-Seventh Amendment state?

Changes to the salary of Congress members take effect only after the next election.