U.S. Constitution TEST REVIEW
Q- PRINCIPLES: Popular sovereignty
A-the government gets its power from the people; PEOPLE RULE! HOW? PEOPLE VOTE.
Q- PRINCIPLES: Federalism
A-the dividing of power between the federal and state governments
Q- List the 6 Goals of the Constitution
A- 1.Form a more perfect Union 2.Establish justice 3.Insure domestic tranquility 4.Provide for the common defense 5.Promote the general welfare 6.Secure the blessings of liberty
Q- 5th Amendment
A- AMENDMENT provides several protections for people accused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be started by a grand jury. A person cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) or have property taken away without just compensation. People have the right against self-incrimination and cannot be imprisoned without due process of law (fair procedures and trials.)
Q- 10th Amendment
A- AMENDMENT says that the Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn't listed, it belongs to the states or to the people.
Q- 9th Amendment
A- AMENDMENT states that listing specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out.
Q- 2nd Amendment
A- AMENDMENT that Protects the right to keep and bear arms.
Q- 8th Amendment
A- AMENDMENT that bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
Q- 4th Amendment
A- AMENDMENT that bars the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property.
Q- 7th Amendment
A- AMENDMENT that extends the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases.
Q- 3rd Amendment
A- AMENDMENT that prevents the government from forcing homeworkers to allow soldiers to use their homes. No Quartering.
Q- 1st Amendment
A- AMENDMENT that protects rights to religion, speech, press, to assemble, to protest, and to ask the government to fix problems.
Q- 6th Amendment
A- AMENDMENT that provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges. Witnesses must face the accused, and the accused is allowed his or her own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer.
Q- What are the seven sections of the U.S. Constitution called?
A- Articles
Q- How is the President elected?
A- Electoral college (a group of electors from every state who meet every four years to vote for the President and Vice President of the United States based on the popular vote of the people on election day)
Q- domestic tranquility
A- Peace at home
Q- Give some examples of "checks and balances".
A- The President can veto (reject) bills based on Congress. Congress can override (overrule) the President's veto with 2/3 vote of both houses. The judicial branch can repeal (do away with) a law that is unconstitutional.
Q- general welfare
A- Well-being of all citizens
Q- PRINCIPLES: Limited government
A- the government only has the powers that the Constitution gives it
Q- How many judges make up the Supreme Court?
A-1 Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices
Q- 3 ways one may be a citizen of the U.S.
A-1. Born in the U.S. (or at least one parent is a citizen). 2.Became naturalized by completing the official legal process. 3.Were 18 years or younger when your parents were naturalized
Q- In what year was the Declaration of Independence written?
A-1776
Q- In what year was the Constitution written?
A-1787
Q- Which Amendment gave women the right to vote (women's suffrage)?
A-19th (1920)
Q- Which Amendment lowered the voting age from 21-18? Why?
A-26th (1971)- Vietnam War
Q- How many Constitutional Amendments are there?
A-27
Q- What is an "amendment"?
A-A change made to the Constitution
Q-Define a "citizen."
A-A person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protections
Q- What was the name of the first constitution?
A-Articles of Confederation
Q- What powers are given to the executive branch?
A-Carry out the laws. Direct foreign policy. Make treaties. Appoint ambassadors, judges, cabinet members. Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Suggests and works for new laws. Grants pardons and paroles. Calls special sessions.
Q-What are the Amendments 13-15 called and why?
A-Civil War Amendments- protect the rights of former slaves
Q- Describe the national court system set up by the Judiciary Act of 1789.
A-District courts- a federal trial court that hears civil and criminal cases in which a jury or judge renders a decision based on evidence.
Q- What part of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) states that Congress can "make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper" for carrying out its specific duties?
A-Elastic Clause
Q- PRINCIPLES Republicanism
A-Government in which citizens elect representatives to carry out their will
What set up the federal court system that is still in place today?
A-Judiciary Act of 1789
Q- Supreme Court
A-Nation's highest court that reviews decisions of lower courts; also decides cases involving the U.S. Constitution and federal laws
Q- In what city was the Constitution written?
A-Philadelphia
Q- How can an amendment be "proposed"?
A-Proposed by CONGRESS by a 2/3 vote of each house. Proposed by NATIONAL CONVENTION called by CONGRESS at the request of 2/3 of the state legislatures (this method has never been used)
Q- How can an amendment be "ratified?"
A-Ratified by Legislatures in ¾ of the STATES. Ratified by Conventions in ¾ of the STATES
Q- What do Amendments Five through Eight protect?
A-Rights of the Accused
Q- Which 2 bodies is Congress made up of?
A-Senate and the House of Representatives
Q- Which of the Constitutional principles do these 3 branches reflect?
A-Separation of Powers
Q- Why did the framers of the Constitution add a system of checks and balances?
A-So that no one branch of government could become too powerful or abuse its powers
Q-Which compromise determined that the House of Representatives would be based on a state's population while the Senate would be composed of 2 Senators from each state?
A-The Great Compromise
Q- What do the first three Articles of the U.S. Constitution describe?
A-The three branches of the U.S. government: legislative (Art. I), executive (Art. II), and judicial (Art. III)
Q- How do the Second, Third, and Fourth Amendments reflect the colonists' experiences under British rule?
A-They protect citizens against abuses colonists suffered under the rule of Great Britain and King George III.
Q- Why did the founding fathers include a method to change the Constitution?
A-They wanted to create a formal process to allow the nation to deal with issues they could not have foreseen. They knew the Constitution would need to change as times changed.
Q- Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
A-Thomas Jefferson
Q-Please be familiar with the responsibilities of citizens.
A-Voting. Obeying the laws. Defending the nation. Serving on a jury. Serving the community. Being informed.
Q- Court of Appeals
A-a federal court that hears appeals originating in federal district courts; can review decisions made by federal administrative agencies
Q- FUNCTION of the Executive branch
A-carries out the laws
Q- PRINCIPLES: Separation of powers
A-dividing the government into different branches
Q- FUNCTION of the Judicial branch
A-interprets the laws
Q- FUNCTION of the Legislative branch
A-makes laws
Q- PRINCIPLES: Checks and balances
A-safeguard of the Constitution that gives each branch the power to check the other 2 branches
Q-Know the steps of becoming a naturalized citizen.
A. Establish a 5-year residency. Apply for citizenship Submit application and fee. Get fingerprinted for a background check. Go through the interview process. Take English and civics tests. Answer questions about background and character. Take an oath of allegiance.
