Constitution Test Flashcards

study (27 cards)

1
Q

What is the Preamble? What does it say?

A

Introduction or opening statement to the Constitution.
Lists the six goals
Starts with “We the People”

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2
Q

Explain the six goals of the Constitution.

A

Form a more perfect Union: to make a better country (ex: having one currency for the entire nation instead of each state having its own money)

Establish justice: create fairness (ex: having a court system)

Ensure domestic tranquility: have peace within the country (ex: National Guard)

Provide for the common defense: protecting the nation from outside threats (ex: military)

Promote the general welfare: providing services to meet people’s needs (ex: food stamps, health care, education)

Secure the blessings of liberty: protect people’s freedoms now and in the future

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3
Q

What section of the Constitution sets up the Legislative Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?

A

Article I
Congress represents citizens, makes laws, declares war
House of Representatives: tax bills must begin in this branch, can call for impeachment inquiry of President or Supreme Court Justice
Senate: approves Presidential appointments, approves treaties, holds impeachment proceedings and votes on guilt or innocence

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4
Q

What does it mean to Impeach? Who has that power?

A

to bring up on formal charges of wrongdoing. Congress

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5
Q

How is the Legislative Branch set up?

A

Bicameral- 2 houses/chambers
Senate- Equal Representatives
House of Representatives- proportional representatives based on population

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6
Q

How many Senators does each state have?

A

2 per state
a total of 100

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7
Q

How long is the term for a Senator? Who does a Senator represent?

A

Six year term
Their entire state

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8
Q

What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for Senator?

A

At least 30 years old
A citizen for 9 years

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9
Q

How do they determine the number of Representatives for each state in the House of Representatives?

A

Proportional- based on population.
1 per 30K

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10
Q

How many Representatives are in the House of Representatives?

A

435

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11
Q

How long is the term for a Representative? Who does a Representative for the House represent?

A

Two years
The citizens of their district only

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12
Q

What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for Representative?

A

At least 25 years old
A citizen for at least 7 years

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13
Q

What is a Bill? What does it mean if it becomes ratified?

A

a proposed/ rough draft of a law
Ratify - to approve (as in when the President signs a bill and it becomes law)

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14
Q

How do the Elastic Clause and Amendments help the Constitution adapt to changing times?

A

Allows the Constitution to adapt to changing times with Amendment process
It stretches the power of Congress

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15
Q

What section of the Constitution sets up the Executive Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?

A

Article II
Enforce laws
President:Commander in Chief of military, vetoes or ratifies laws, negotiates treaties, pardons criminals, updates Congress on the country
Vice President: President of the Senate, advises and helps President, first in line of succession
Cabinet: run executive departments, advise and report to the President

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16
Q

What does it mean to Veto something?

A

to reject (as in the President rejecting a proposed law)

17
Q

What are the requirements for a person to be eligible for President?

A

Born a citizen of the US
At least 35 years old

18
Q

How long is a Presidential term? How many terms can a President serve?

A

Four year term
Maximum of two terms

19
Q

Who makes up the Executive branch? (it’s not just one person!) What does the term Cabinet mean?

A

President
Vice President
Cabinet. Cabinet: the heads of the different executive departments

20
Q

What section of the Constitution sets up the Judicial Branch and outlines its powers? What are some of the powers?

A

Article III
Settles disputes between state governments, settles disputes between citizens in different states, settles disputes between the federal government and citizens or states
Judicial Review (see definitions)

21
Q

What is Judicial Review?

A

the most important power of the Supreme Court: the power to declare laws unconstitutional (to strike them down)

22
Q

How many justices are in the Supreme Court? How long is their term?

A

Nine justices
Serve life terms (until the retire or pass away)

23
Q

What is a Federalist?

A

a person who supported ratifying the Constitution - wrote the Federalist Papers to explain why it should be ratified

24
Q

What is an Anti-Federalist?

A

a person who did not support ratifying the Constitution without adding a list of protected individual rights (Bill of Rights)

25
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten Amendments to the Constitution
26
What does the Bill of Rights give us?
A list of freedoms and rights that the government must protect and cannot take away Ex: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to a trial by a jury of your peers
27
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists argued against ratifying the Constitution because they believed the government was still too strong They wanted a list of individual freedoms and rights added.