US Constitution Review

What does self-evident truth mean?

It is always true, and you don’t need a constitution to tell you if it is or not.

What are unalienable rights?

Unalienable rights are God-given rights given to you that cannot be taken away. The unalienable rights are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

What is the purpose of government?

The purpose of government is to protect citizens and their rights, which allows them to live prosperous lives.

Are the powers of the government limited or unlimited?

The powers given to the government by the people are limited. Especially in a country like ours, where we have a constitution and checks and balances that stop unlimited power from happening.

When can governments be changed?

The government should be changed when our unalienable rights are taken away and they are not protecting us

What is Federalism?

The state government and the national government share power.

What is Popular Sovereignty?

The people have the right to choose the type of government they want.

What are Checks and Balances?

The powers in the government are separated into different branches. This stops one person from having too much power.

What is Republicanism?

A representative democracy where we pick people to represent us.

What is the preamble?

The preamble is an introduction to a document that states the purpose and goals.

What are the six stated purposes of the government?

Form a more perfect union

Establish justice

Insure domestic tranquility

Provide for the common defense

Promote the general welfare

Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

What is the name of the legislative branch of government?

The name of the legislative branch is the Congress.

Who makes up the legislative branch?

The Senate and House of Representatives make up the Congress.

What is the difference between Congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives?

The Congress is the name for the entire legislative branch, which is the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives is the lower part of Congress, and the amount of representation is based on the state's population. They have to power to impeach federal officials, elect the president if the electoral college is tied, and initiate all revenue-raising bills.

The Senate is the upper part of Congress, and the amount of representation is equal for each state (2). It has the power to try all impeachments, approve or reject presidential nominations for judicial or executive offices, and ratify treaties.

What is the primary function of the Legislative Branch?

The primary function is to make laws.

What are the qualifications for members of the houses?

House of Representatives:

Age of twenty-five Years

Been a Citizen of the United States for seven years

They must be a civilian of the State they were chosen to represent.

Senate:

Minimum age of thirty Years

Have been a Citizen of the United States for nine years.

They must be a civilian of the State they were chosen to represent.

How long do people in the houses serve?

The House of Representatives serves for two years, and the Senate serves for six years.

Who is the president of the Senate? When does he/she vote?

The president of the Senate is the Vice President, and he/she gets to vote whenever the Senate is divided equally.

What are some of the powers granted to Congress?

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

What are some powers denied to Congress?

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless, in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion, the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder Law shall be passed. - This is a law that enforces the right of due process. If you are thought to be guilty of a crime, you must go to trial before being given a punishment.

No ex post facto law shall be passed. - If you break a law before it becomes illegal, the government is not allowed to charge you. This is because it was legal when you did it.

What is the elastic clause? Why is it called this?

It is called the elastic clause because it gives Congress the ability to stretch its power under authority (like an elastic band) if the laws are considered necessary and proper.

What are some powers denied to the states?

No State can enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation.

No State can lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports without the Consent of the Congress.

No State can lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace without the Consent of Congress.

Do both houses have to approve a bill for it to become a law?

Yes, both houses need to approve of a bill for it to become a law.

Who makes up the executive branch?

The president, vice president, and the electoral college.

What is the primary function of the executive branch?

The primary function of the executive branch is to approve and carry out laws.

What are the qualifications to be President?

To be the president, you have to be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen or a resident of the United States for 14 years.

How long does the President serve?

The president serves for 4 years and can serve a maximum of two terms.

How are electors determined in the electoral college?

The number of electors is based on the total number of senators and representatives in the House of Representatives.

How many electors do you need to become president?

To become president you need 270 out of 538 electoral votes.

What day is election day?

Election day is always every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

What are some of the executive powers?

They can be Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States.

They can make treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate.

They can fill up any vacancies that happen during the Recess of the Senate by granting commissions that last until the end of the next session.

If a President vetoes a bill, can it still become a law? If yes, how?

Yes, Congress can override the president's veto if two-thirds of both houses vote for it.

Who makes up the judicial branch?

Federal courts and the Supreme Court make up the branch.

What is the primary function of the judicial branch?

Their primary function is to interpret the laws.

How long do Supreme Court judges serve? Why?

As long as they exhibit good behavior, they can remain in office for life. If they show bad behavior, they can be impeached. This is because if they were being reelected during the presidential election it could cause bias votes to be casted.

What is the topic of Article IV?

The topic is about the relationship between the states.

What are some of the responsibilities between the states? (Full Faith and Credit/Privileges and Immunities)

Full faith and credit means that all government proceedings need to be documented and recorded. Privileges and Immunities mean that a state cannot discriminate against you because you are from another state.

What limitations are put on admitting new states to the Union?

No state can be created by splitting or joining states without the approval of Congress or state legislature.

What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed Amendment?

Two-thirds of both houses need to find it necessary.

What fraction of the states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified?

Three-fourths of several states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified.

What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there is any conflict between laws?

The federal law predominates if there is a conflict between federal and state laws.

How many states had to ratify the Constitution for it to become law?

Nine states had to ratify the Constitution for it to become law.

What are the rights in the amendments?

I. Civil Liberties

II. Right to Bear Arms

III. Quartering of Soldiers

IV. Unlawful Searches and Seizures

V. Due Process of Law

VI. Rights of the Acc used

VII. Trial by Jury in Civil Case

VIII. Cruel and Unusual Punishment

IX. Other Rights Retained by the People

X. Limited Government

XIII. Abolished Slavery

XIV. Citizenship/Equal Protection Under the Law

XV. African Americans Right to Vote

XIX. Women Right to Vote

XXVI. Right to Vote at 18.