U.S. Constitution Key Principles, Articles, Amendments, and Government Structure

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from the U.S. Constitution study guide lecture notes.

Preamble Goals

The six core goals contained in the Preamble: a) Form a more perfect union, b) Establish justice, c) Ensure domestic tranquility, d) Provide for common defense, e) Promote the general welfare, f) Secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.

What are some REPUBLIC aspects to the US government

There is no monarch, and representatives are elected by the people to govern on their behalf.

What are some DEMOCRATIC aspects to the US government

A form of government characterized by deriving power from the people and holding elections.

Article I

The article of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the Legislative branch.

Article II

The article of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the Executive branch.

Article III

The article of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the Judicial branch.

Article IV (four)

The article of the U.S. Constitution detailing the relationships between states and the federal government.

Article V (five)

The article of the U.S. Constitution that details how to make changes (amending the Constitution).

Article VI (six)

The article of the U.S. Constitution declaring federal government power as the "supreme law of the land".

Article VII (seven)

The article of the U.S. Constitution specifying ratification requiring 9 out of 13 colonies.

How many total amendments are there

There are 27 total amendments in the U.S. Constitution.

what are the first 10 amendments called

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect fundamental individual rights and liberties.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

Third Amendment

Prohibits forced quartering of soldiers.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable search and seizure; requires warrants and probable cause.

Fifth Amendment

Guarantees due process, the right to plea the fifth, and requires a grand jury for capital crimes.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, legal counsel, and the right to confront witnesses.

Seventh Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in all civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishments.

Ninth Amendment

States that the rights listed in the Constitution are not exhaustive.

Tenth Amendment

Establishes that powers not delegated to the federal government are vested in the people and the states.

What needs to happen for a proposal to amend the constitution

Can be proposed by Congress with a 2/3 vote in both houses, or by a national convention called by 2/3 of states.

What needs to happen to ratify a proposed amendment

Can be ratified by state legislatures (approved by 3/4 of state legislatures) or state conventions (approved by ratifying conventions in 3/4 of states).

House Qualifications

25 years old, 7-year citizen, and resident of the state.

Senate Qualifications

30 years old, 9-year citizen, and resident of the state.

Current Session of Congress

119th Congress.

Congressional Term Lengths (House and Senate)

Members of the House serve for 2 years; members of the Senate serve for 6 years.

House of Representatives Composition

435 voting members, with the number determined based on state population.

Senate Composition

100 total Senators, calculated as two per state.

New Jersey Congressional Representation

New Jersey has 12 districts (Hopewell is in the 12th district). House representative: Bonnie Watson Coleman. Senate representatives: Cory Booker and Andy Kim.

Article 1, Section 8

Expresses the powers granted to Congress.

Elastic Clause

Article 1 Section 8, Clause 18; gives Congress implied powers to stretch its powers when needed and permits Congress to do things not explicitly stated.

Impeachment Process

The House has sole power to formally investigate and charge a federal officer (simple majority needed); the Senate is responsible for trial and conviction (2/3 majority needed).

Legislative Branch

Consists of the Senate and House; responsible for writing, debating, and passing new laws.

Executive Branch

Consists of the President, Vice-President, and Cabinet; enforces laws, commands the military, and makes appointments.

Judicial Branch

Consists of the Supreme Court and lower courts; interprets laws, applies them, upholds the Constitution, and conducts judicial review.

Presidential Qualifications

35 years old, natural born citizen, and resident of the US for 14 years.

Presidential Veto Override

A presidential veto can be overridden if both houses approve it at a 2/3 margin.

Electoral College

A group of electors who cast a vote for the president representing their state. There are 538 total electoral votes available, and 270 are needed to win.

Federal Court System Establishment

Lower courts were established by the Legislative branch; the Supreme Court was established by the Constitution / Judicial branch.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

John Roberts.

Associate Justices of the Supreme Court

Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayer, Elena Kagen, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires court rulings to be enforced across state borders, stopping people from fleeing a court ruling by moving. (article 4)

Federalism

Splits government power between national, state, and concurrent levels; it is built into the Constitution, though not stated directly.