Constitution test

Bicameral

Separating Congress into two different and distinct groups. The House is based on population, and the Senate where each state gets two Senators.

Federalism

System in which the national government shares power with state and local governments.

Amend

To make changes. In terms of the Constitution, it means to add amendments to the original document. There are 27 Constitutional amendments.

Checks & Balances

Allows the three branches of govt. To check the power of others. Example: The President is Commander in Chief, but only Congress has power to declare war.

Articles of Confederation that made them fail?

1. Couldn’t collect taxes.

2. No major central government (lack of a true leader)

3. No common currency

4. One vote per state no matter the size

5. No executive or judicial branch

Powers of Congress (HOUSE AND SENATE) legislative

Controls Interstate Trade

Issues Money & Sets Value of Money

Declare War

Raise & Collect Taxes

Borrow Money

Control Immigration

Elastic Clause - To make laws necessary for the execution of any other expressed power

Impeach the President

Powers of the Executive Branch

Grants Pardons & Reprieves

Commander in Chief

Can Veto Bills from Congress

Negotiate Treaties with Foreign Countries

Nominates Cabinet Heads & Supreme Court Justices

Powers of the Judicial Branch

Responsible for the interpretation of laws

Can declare laws unconstitutional

Amendment I

1.  Having freedom of your religion

2. Freedom of speech, there is limits

3. The right of the press/people to publish things.

4. Right to assemble/protests.

5. Right to petition the goverment, allowed to speak your opinion

Amendment II

Right to bear arms/right to own guns.

Amendment III

Don't have to let people/soldiers live in your house. The goverment does not make anyone stay in their house. (quartering act!!)

Amendment 4

No one is allowed to unreasonably search you or take your things without a warrant.

“Probable cause or a warrant.”

No unreasonable searches.

Amendment 5

1.  You have the right to remain silent/not say anything if you plead the 5th.

2. Double jeopardy, can't be trials for the same crime twice.

3. Eminent domain is when the goverment can take your stuff, but you will get paid.

Amendment 6

1. Right to speedy trial does not mean fast! Means there is no set length.

2. You always have the right to have a lawyer. Even if you can't pay. 

3. Jury of peers. 

Amendment 7

If you are suing someone or are being sued, it can be a trial.

Amendment 8

1. Can not have excessive fines or bail. Means the bail can't be too expensive and has to match up with their case.

2. No cruel or unusual punishment, like taking food or killing.

Amendment 9

We have freedoms that are not listed in the Constitution. They can't put everything down, so there are other things you have the right to, like to marry and have kids, etc.

Amendment 10

Every single power goes to the states and people UNLESS it is specifically given to the federal goverment. (federalism)

Magic number

the total amount of electoral college votes needed to become President (currently, 270 is the magic number)

Electoral college vote, how does it work?

Each state’s electoral college vote total is the sum of the number of seats in the House plus its two Senate seats.

Article I

The Legislative Branch

• Establishes Congress, which is composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

• Defines the powers of Congress, such as its role in making laws, setting the budget, and overseeing the other branches.

• Details the qualifications, election, and procedures for both the House and the Senate. 

Article II

The Executive Branch

Establishes the presidency and the powers and responsibilities of the President.

• Outlines the process for the election of the President.

• Details duties like executing laws, acting as commander-in-chief, and making appointments. 

Article III

The Judicial Branch

• Establishes the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary.

• Defines the scope of the judicial power and the types of cases the courts can hear.

• Outlines the crime of treason. 

Article 4

States, Citizenship, and New States 

defines the relationship between the states and federal goverment

Article 5

The Amendment Process

• Details the process for amending the Constitution.

• Explains how amendments can be proposed and ratified

Article 6

Supremacy Clause and Debts 

• Establishes the Constitution as the "supreme Law of the Land".

• Outlines the requirements for oaths of office and the validity of debts and engagements. 

Article 7

Ratification

• Established the process by which the Constitution was to be ratified by the states. 

• (Ratification means excepted)

legislative

Controls Interstate Trade

legislative

Issues Money & Sets Value of Money

legislative

Declare War

legislative

Raise & Collect Taxes

legislative

Borrow Money

legislative

Control Immigration

legislative

Elastic Clause - To make laws necessary for the execution of any other expressed power

legislative

Impeach the President