Social Studies 8th Grade - The Constitution

What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?

The Bill of Rights.

1st Amendment

People have the freedoms of religion, speech, and the press. They also have the right to meet together peacefully and to bring a matter of concern to the government's attention.

2nd Amendment

People have the right to own guns and protect themselves.

3rd Amendment

The government cannot force people to keep soldiers in their homes.

4th Amendment

People or their property cannot be searched or seized without a warrant based on a good reason.

5th Amendment

People accused of crimes have certain rights. They can't be held for a crime without an indictment from a grand jury. They can't be tried twice for the same capital or other serious crime. They don't have to testify against themselves in court.

6th Amendment

People accused of crimes have the right to fair trials and have a lawyer defend them.

7th Amendment

In civil cases, a person is guaranteed a trial by jury.

8th Amendment

People accused of crimes cannot be treated cruelly. Excessive fine, excessive bail, or cruel and unusual punishment are not allowed.

9th Amendment

People have many other rights not listed in the Constitution.

10th Amendment

States have powers not belonging to the national government.

The first government of the United States was created by the __________________________________________________.

Articles of Confederation

Which power creates schools?

Reserved.

Which power prints money?

Enumerated.

Which power taxes?

Concurrent.

Which power of Congress is not listed in the Constitution?

Implied.

Which power interprets laws?

Judicial Review.

The Articles of Confederation established a government with ________________________________________________.

strong state governments.

Daniel Shays began his rebellion in Massachusetts because ________________________________________________________________________.

the tax policy was unfair to farmers.

The concept of Federalism is best defined as ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

the distribution of power between a national government and state governments.

Which of the following were key federalist leaders? Answer with a number.
1. Washington and Patrick Henry
2. Hamilton and Jefferson
3. Hamilton and Madison
4. Hamilton and Patrick Henry

3

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because ______________________________________________________________________________________________________.

rights must be listed so that they can be protected.

Which branch can veto laws?

Executive.

Which branch can declare war?

Legislative.

Which branch can confirm federal judges?

Legislative.

Which branch can review congressional acts?

Judicial.

Which branch of government oversees impeachment?

Legislative.

Which branch of government's members serve for life?

Judicial.

Which branch of government appoints cabinet members?

Executive.

Which branch of government can declare executive orders unconstitutional?

Judicial.

Which branch of government can negotiate foreign treaties?

Executive.

Which branch of government can propose laws?

Legislative.

Which branch of government can override a veto?

Legislative.

Which branch of government can pardon federal offenders?

Executive.

Which branch of government can raise taxes?

Legislative.

What is the special group responsible for electing the President and Vice-president?

Electoral College.

A presidential veto can be overridden by ________________________________________________________________.

2/3 of both the Senate and House.

True or false? Constitutional amendments can be proposed by either the Congress or the states.

True

What is the purpose of the Elastic Clause?

Allows the government to deal with new issues over time.

True or false? Amendments to the Constitution can be approved by 3/4 of Congress.

False

True or false? The 3/5 Compromise stated that each state would count 3 out of every 5 people for the purpose of representation in the House.

False

True or false? The southern states wanted to count ALL slaves as population.

True

True or false? Alexander Hamilton supported the Constitution because he feared a strong central government.

False

Identify the rights you have as an American citizen from the list below. Answer with your numbers listed.
1. Freedom of expression.
2. Innocent until proven guilty.
3. Right to own any weapon desired.
4. Freedom to criticize the government.
5. Guaranteed employment.
6. Speedy and public trial.
7. Privacy from the government in our homes.

1

Identify the rights you have as an American citizen from the list below. Answer with your numbers listed.
1. Can't be forced to testify against yourself in court.
2. Able to keep anything you want in your school locker.
3. The right to protest anywhere and anytime.
4. The right to an attorney if accused of committing a crime.
5. The right to your own religious beliefs.
6. The right to wear a t-shirt that states your political beliefs in school.

1

Which of the following is NOT a part of the Articles of Confederation? Answer with a number.
1. Power to tax the states.
2. Power to print money.
3. Power to negotiate treaties.
4. Power to oversee the sale of land in the western territories.

1

The Virginia Plan called for which of the following? Answer with a number.
1. Proportional representation in both the Senate and House.
2. Equal representation in both the Senate and House.
3. A one-part Congress with proportional representation.
4. A one-part Congress with equal representation.

1

The New Jersey Plan called for which of the following? Answer with a number.
1. Proportional representation in both the Senate and House.
2. Equal representation in both the Senate and House.
3. A one-part Congress with proportional representation.
4. A one-part Congress with equal representation.

4

Which amendment protects citizens from double jeopardy?

5th

Which amendment prohibits the government from searching our homes without a warrant?

4th

Which amendment allows citizens to own guns?

2nd

Which amendment states that rights not listed in the Bill of Rights are still protected?

9th

Which amendment provides for a fair and speedy trial?

6th

Which amendment protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishments or excessive fines?

8th

Why did the framers create three branches of government?

They feared a federal government that was too powerful and wanted to ensure that the power of government would be limited.