Questions and Answers
Name our country's first constitution.
Articles of Confederation
What year did the Constitution Convention meet?
1787
What city did it meet in?
Philadelphia
In what building did they hold the meeting?
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What two things did the Articles of Confederation not provide for?
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What is the main reason for wanting to change the Articles of Confederation?
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Who was the president of the meeting?
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What man did the final wording?
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How many men signed the Constitution?
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How many states were represented by the signers?
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The U.S. government has how many branches?
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Who heads the executive branch?
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What is another word for legislative branch?
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What does the judicial branch consist of?
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How many amendments were first added to the Constitution?
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When was the Constitution ratified?
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What body is in charge of making the laws?
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How are representatives determined?
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How long is a term for a House of Representatives?
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How old must a representative be?
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For how many years must they be a citizen?
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How often do we count the population?
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Who chooses the Speaker of the House?
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Who tries an impeachment?
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Who elects senators?
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How many Senators does each state have?
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How long is a Senator's term in office?
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How often is there an election to replace Senators?
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How old must a Senator be?
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How long must a Senatorial candidate be a citizen of the U.S.?
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Who is the president of the Senate?
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Who makes the rules of citizenship for the U.S.?
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Who has the power to coin money?
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Who has the power to declare war?
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What is a bill of attainder?
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Congress cannot place a tax on what types of items?
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What are states forbidden to do?
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Who is the judge in an impeachment trial?
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How many Senators will make a conviction in an impeachment trial?
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How often must Congress meet?
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How many members of Congress must be present to conduct business?
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How many votes are needed to expel a congressman?
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How many are needed to get a copy of the votes?
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What are the rules of adjournment?
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Where do tax bills begin?
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How many congressional votes are needed to override a Presidential veto?
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The President must send back a bill within how many days or it will become law?
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What is the order that makes jailers show the reason for keeping a man in jail?
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Study Notes
Constitution Overview
- The first constitution of the United States was the Articles of Confederation.
- The Constitutional Convention took place in 1787.
- The meeting was held in Philadelphia, specifically in Independence Hall.
Articles of Confederation (AOC)
- AOC lacked provisions for taxation and law enforcement.
- The primary reason for changing AOC was the need for a stronger government.
Key Figures in the Constitution
- George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention.
- Gouverneur Morris was responsible for the final wording of the Constitution.
- A total of 39 men signed the Constitution, representing 12 states.
Structure of the U.S. Government
- The U.S. government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
- The executive branch is headed by the President.
- The legislative branch is also known as Congress.
- The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court.
Constitutional Amendments and Ratification
- The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.
- The Constitution was ratified in 1788.
Congress and Lawmaking
- Congress is responsible for making laws and is determined by population size for representatives.
- A House of Representatives member serves a term of 2 years and must be at least 25 years old and a citizen for 7 years.
- The U.S. conducts a population count (census) every 10 years.
- The Speaker of the House is elected by the House of Representatives.
Senate Structure and Elections
- Senators are elected by the voters of their respective states, with each state having 2 senators.
- A senator serves a term of 6 years, with elections held every 2 years for one-third of the seats.
- Senators must be at least 30 years old and have been citizens for a minimum of 9 years.
Legislative Powers and Restrictions
- The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate.
- Only Congress has the authority to make rules for U.S. citizenship, coin money, and declare war.
- Congress cannot impose taxes on exports.
Impeachment Process
- The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court acts as the judge in impeachment trials.
- A conviction in impeachment requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.
Congressional Operations
- Congress must meet at least once a year.
- A quorum is necessary to conduct business, meaning a minimum number of members must be present.
- A congressman can be expelled by a vote of one-fifth of the members.
- Tax bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
Legislative Procedures
- Overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds vote in Congress.
- The President has 10 days to return a bill or it automatically becomes law.
- Habeas corpus is a legal order requiring jailers to present reasons for detaining an individual.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution with our comprehensive flashcards! This quiz covers the Articles of Confederation, key historical dates, and important locations related to the Constitution Convention. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike.
