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Constitution Study G
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Name our unalienable rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence. | Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. |
| What was the name of our FIRST Constitution? | The Articles of Confederation. |
| Name the 6 weaknesses to the Articles of Confederation | 1. No power to tax 2. No executive branch 3. No national court system (judicial branch) 4. No power to regulate interstate commerce 5. 9/13 states needed to pass any law 6. 13/13 (unanimous) vote needed to amend the Articles |
| Who is the Father of the Constitution? | James Madison. |
| What year was the Constitution written? | 1787. |
| What was the Virginia Plan? | A proposal for a bicameral (two-house) legislature where representation in both houses would be based on population. (Favored large states). |
| What was the New Jersey Plan? | A proposal for a unicameral (one-house) legislature where representation would be equal for all states. (Favored small states). |
| What was the Great Compromise? | Created a bicameral legislature (Congress) with: 1. The House of Representatives (representation based on population) and 2. The Senate (equal representation, 2 per state). |
| Describe the purpose for each of the 3 parts of the Constitution. | 1. Preamble: The introduction; states the goals and purpose of the government. 2. The Articles (7): The "body"; establish the structure and powers of the 3 branches. 3. The Amendments (27): Changes or additions to the Constitution. |
| What are the 3 Branches of the Government? | Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. |
| Why is there a "separation of powers"? | To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This system allows for "checks and balances." |
| What are the 3 purposes of the Preamble? | (Any 3 of the 6): To form a more perfect union, Establish justice, Ensure domestic tranquility, Provide for the common defense, Promote the general welfare, Secure the blessings of liberty. |
| Which Branch is described in Article I? | The Legislative Branch (Congress). |
| What is the main duty of the Legislative Branch? | To make (create) laws. |
| What are the qualifications to be a U.S. Senator? | Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent. |
| Name 3 duties ONLY the Senate has? | 1. Try all impeachment cases 2. Confirm presidential appointments 3. Ratify (approve) treaties with foreign countries. |
| How does someone become the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate? | By tradition, this person is the most senior (longest-serving) senator from the majority party. |
| Who are the 2 Senators from Illinois? | Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. |
| How long is the term for a U.S. Representative? | 2 years. |
| Name 3 duties ONLY the U.S. House of Representatives have? | 1. Originate (start) all revenue/tax bills 2. Bring articles of impeachment 3. Elect the President if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College. |
| What is the title for the leader of the House of Representatives? | The Speaker of the House. |
| Who is your representative in the House? | Based on Park Ridge, IL: Jan Schakowsky (IL 9th) or Mike Quigley (IL 5th). |
| Know these 2 enumerated powers of Congress: Establish rules on naturalization & immigration; Declare war | This is a study note. (These are powers explicitly given to Congress). |
| What does it mean to "grant titles of nobility"? | Congress cannot create a system of royalty (like a King, Duke, or Earl). |
| What is a Writ of Habeas Corpus? | A court order demanding that an official deliver an imprisoned person to the court and show a valid reason for their detention. (Prevents unlawful imprisonment). |
| What is an Ex Post Facto Law? | A law that makes an act illegal *after* it was committed. (This is banned). |
| What is a Bill of Attainder? | A law declaring a person guilty of a crime *without* a trial. (This is banned). |
| What 3 things are all states guaranteed under the Constitution? | 1. A republican form of government 2. Protection from invasion 3. (On request) Protection from domestic violence. |
| What branch of government is discussed in Article II? | The Executive Branch. |
| What are the qualifications for President and Vice President? | Must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and a resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years. |
| How long is the term for President and Vice President? | 4 years. |
| How many times can a President be reelected? | Once. (The 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms). |
| What is the role of the Secretary of State/State Department? | Manages the nation's foreign policy, foreign relations, and diplomacy. |
| List, in order, the first 4 steps in the succession to the Presidency? | 1. Vice President 2. Speaker of the House 3. President Pro-Tempore of the Senate 4. Secretary of State |
| What happens if there is a vacancy in the Vice Presidency? | The President nominates a new VP, who must be confirmed by a majority vote of both houses of Congress (25th Amendment). |
| How is it decided how many electoral votes a state will get? | Number of Representatives + Number of Senators (always 2). |
| Know these Powers of the President: Commander- in- Chief of military, Appoints judges, Head of State, Head of Executive Branch | This is a study note. (These are key powers of the Executive Branch). |
| Which branch of government is discussed in Article III? | The Judicial Branch. |
| What is the duty of the Judicial Branch? | To interpret laws and administer justice. |
| How many judges are there on the Supreme Court? | 9. (One Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices). |
| What is Judicial Review? | The power of the courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional. |
| How many witnesses to the same act must there be for someone to be convicted of treason? | Two. |
| Know the Cheif Justice of the Supreme Court presides over an Impeachment case of the President in the Senate. | This is a study note. (The current Chief Justice is John Roberts). |
| What is the title for Article V? | "Amending the Constitution" or "The Amendment Process." |
| What is the most common way an Amendment to the Constitution can be proposed? | By a 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress (House and Senate). |
| What are the 1st 10 Amendments called? | The Bill of Rights. |
| What is the 1st Amendment? | Guarantees 5 freedoms: Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition. |
| Know these parts of the 5th Amendment: No double jeopardy, no witness against yourself | This is a study note. (No double jeopardy; no self-incrimination / "right to remain silent"). |
| Know these parts of the 6th Amendment: Right to a trial by jury in all criminal cases, Right to hear all witnesses for and against and call witnesses in your defense | This is a study note. (Right to a speedy, public trial by jury; right to confront your accusers and have your own witnesses). |
| What is the 8th Amendment? | Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. |
| What is the 17th Amendment? | Allows for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people of their state. |
| What is the 19th Amendment? | Gave women the right to vote (women's suffrage). |
| What is the 21st Amendment? | Repealed the 18th Amendment (Prohibition), making the sale and consumption of alcohol legal again. |
| What is the 26th Amendment? | Lowered the national voting age from 21 to 18. |
| Scenario Question 1: Be able to identify the checks & balances each branch of government has over each other. | Example: President vetoes a bill (Executive checks Legislative). Example: Congress overrides a veto (Legislative checks Executive). Example: Supreme Court rules a law unconstitutional (Judicial checks Leg/Exec). |
| Scenario Question 2: Be able to identify 1st Amendment, 5th Amendment & 8th Amendment rights which are violated or guaranteed in a situational scenario. | Example: 1st (protesting), 5th ("pleading the fifth"), 8th (objecting to a punishment as "cruel and unusual"). |
Created by:
tonyglib