US Constitution

Q: What does Article I of the U.S. Constitution establish?
A: The Legislative Branch (Congress: Senate and House of Representatives).

Q: What powers are granted to Congress in Article I?
A: The power to make laws, regulate commerce, declare war, and collect taxes.

Q: What is the purpose of Article II in the U.S. Constitution?
A: It establishes the Executive Branch, defining the powers of the President and the Executive.

Q: What powers does the President have under Article II?
A: Enforces laws, commands the military, makes treaties, and appoints officials.

Q: What is defined in Article III of the U.S. Constitution?
A: The Judicial Branch, including the creation of the Supreme Court and lower courts.

Q: What does Article IV of the U.S. Constitution cover?
A: The Full Faith and Credit Clause and the admittance of new states.

Q: What is the purpose of Article V in the Constitution?
A: It defines the process for amending the Constitution.

Q: What does Article VI of the Constitution address?
A: The Supremacy Clause, stating that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Q: What is described in Article VII of the Constitution?
A: The process for ratifying the Constitution.

Q: What are Enumerated (Expressed) Powers?
A: Powers explicitly granted to the government, such as the power to declare war and collect taxes.

Q: What are Implied Powers?
A: Powers not explicitly listed but necessary to carry out enumerated powers (e.g., creating a national bank).

Q: What is the process for amending the U.S. Constitution?
A: Amendments can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in Congress or a constitutional convention and ratified by three-fourths of the states.

Q: What does the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments) protect?
A: Individual rights such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Q: Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
A: The 19th Amendment.

Q: What is the significance of the 14th Amendment?
A: It grants equal protection under the law and ensures due process of law at the state level (incorporating the Bill of Rights to apply to the states).

Q: What does the 10th Amendment state?
A: It reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states or the people.

Q: What did Federalists argue in favor of?
A: A strong national government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Q: What did Anti-Federalists argue against?
A: A strong national government and the lack of a Bill of Rights in the original Constitution.

Q: How did the Bill of Rights address Anti-Federalist concerns?
A: It guaranteed individual rights and freedoms, helping secure the ratification of the Constitution.

Q: What is the Supremacy Clause?
A: The provision in Article VI that states that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties, is the supreme law of the land.

Q: What does the Commerce Clause do?
A: It grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Q: What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)?
A: It gives Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.

Q: What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
A: It requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Q: What is the Emoluments Clause?
A: It prohibits the President from receiving gifts or payments from foreign states without Congress's consent.

Q: How did the 15th Amendment impact civic participation?
A: It granted African American men the right to vote.

Q: What is the significance of the 24th Amendment?
A: It abolished poll taxes, making it easier for low-income citizens to vote.

Q: How did the 26th Amendment change voting rights?
A: It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

Q: What role does the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause play in civil rights?
A: It ensures that all citizens are treated equally under the law, particularly in cases involving discrimination.