Civics 360: Constitution Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

The __________ is the 1st part of the Constitution that lists 6 purposes for the document.

Preamble

What phrase in the US Constitution's preamble refers to the fact that the government gets its powers to govern from its citizens?

We the People

__________ is the idea that the power to govern ultimately comes from the people being governed.

Popular sovereignty

What phrase in the US Constitution's preamble indicates that the Constitution was meant to create a government that was a fair and honest system for all?

establish justice Signup and view all the answers

__________ - the idea that everyone must follow the law, including the leaders and the police.

Rule of law Signup and view all the answers

What phrase in the US Constitution's preamble indicates that the Constitution was meant to create a government that was better than that created by the Articles of Confederation?

to form a more perfect union Signup and view all the answers

What phrase in the Constitution's preamble indicates that the new government will have the power to put down rebellion?

insure domestic tranquility Signup and view all the answers

What phrase in the Constitution's preamble indicates that the new central government had the power to raise and maintain an army and a navy?

provide for the common defense Signup and view all the answers

__________ government is a government based on a written framework that defines how that government is organized.

Constitutional Signup and view all the answers

The __________ is the highest law of the land.

Constitution Signup and view all the answers

A government that doesn't have total power, but is restricted in what it can do by a constitution and/or a bill of rights is known as a what?

limited government Signup and view all the answers

The US has a government that has been __________ in power by its Constitution.

limited Signup and view all the answers

Because the Constitution set up three different but equal branches of government, the different branches act as __________ against each other in an attempt to prevent the abuse of power.

checks and balances Signup and view all the answers

The Constitution created three branches of government so that there was a __________.

separation of powers Signup and view all the answers

What procedure is used to remove the President (and other high-ranking officials like Federal judges) from office for committing 'Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors'?

impeachment Signup and view all the answers

__________ - the power of the judicial branch to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches and determine whether or not they are unconstitutional.

judicial review Signup and view all the answers

__________ - U.S. Supreme Court case that established judicial review.

Marbury v. Madison Signup and view all the answers

Congress can propose amendments to the Constitution with a __________ vote in both houses.

2/3 Signup and view all the answers

If __________ of state legislatures vote to do so, they can call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments.

2/3 Signup and view all the answers

Amendments are ratified and added to the constitution if __________ of state legislatures vote to do so.

3/4 Signup and view all the answers

Amendments are ratified and added to the constitution if __________ of states successfully hold ratification conventions.

3/4 Signup and view all the answers

__________ of the Constitution explains how to propose and ratify amendments.

Article V Signup and view all the answers

Article IV, section 4 of the US Constitution requires that all states have a __________ form of government.

republican Signup and view all the answers

Both the US and Florida constitutions begin with the phrase '__________'.

We the People Signup and view all the answers

While the US Constitution has 7 articles, the Florida Constitution has __________.

12 Signup and view all the answers

While the US Constitution now has a Bill of Rights, the Florida Constitution has a __________.

Declaration of Rights Signup and view all the answers

__________ of the US Constitution contains the Supremacy Clause.

Article VI Signup and view all the answers

The __________ (found in Article VI) states that the US Constitution is the 'supreme Law of the Land'.

Supremacy Clause Signup and view all the answers

The US Constitution has __________ amendments.

27 Signup and view all the answers

Changes to the Florida Constitution must be approved by at least __________% of voters in an election.

60 Signup and view all the answers

There are __________ ways to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution.

5 Signup and view all the answers

__________ powers are powers shared by the Federal and state governments.

Concurrent Signup and view all the answers

In what city was the current US Constitution written?

Philadelphia Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts of the U.S. Constitution

Preamble: The introductory statement listing six main purposes of the Constitution.
"We the People": Reflects the principle that governmental power is derived from the citizens.
Popular Sovereignty: Asserts that the authority to govern originates from the governed population.
Establish Justice: Indicates the Constitution's goal to create a fair and honest government system.
Rule of Law: Emphasizes that everyone, including leaders, must adhere to the law.

Objectives of the Constitution

To Form a More Perfect Union: Aims for an improved government compared to the Articles of Confederation.
Insure Domestic Tranquility: Authorizes the government to maintain peace and order, addressing weaknesses of the Articles.
Provide for the Common Defense: Empowers the central government to maintain military forces for national security.

Government Structure

Constitutional Government: Based on a written framework defining government organization.
Limited Government: Power is restricted by a constitution or bill of rights, preventing total governmental authority.
Checks and Balances: Establishes a system where different branches of government can regulate each other's powers.
Separation of Powers: Divides government responsibilities into three distinct branches.

Legal Processes and Amendments

Impeachment: A procedure for removing high-ranking officials like the President for misconduct.
Judicial Review: The judicial branch's power to evaluate the constitutionality of actions by the executive and legislative branches; established through Marbury v. Madison.
Marbury v. Madison: Landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Amendment Process

Proposing Amendments: Requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or two-thirds of state legislatures to initiate a constitutional convention.
Ratifying Amendments: Needs approval from three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions to add amendments to the Constitution.

Articles and Clauses

Article V: Details the methods for proposing and ratifying amendments.
Article IV, Section 4: Mandates that every state maintains a republican form of government.
Article VI: Contains the Supremacy Clause, establishing the Constitution as the highest form of law.
Supremacy Clause: Declares the U.S. Constitution as the "supreme Law of the Land."

State Constitution Comparisons

Florida Constitution: Comprises 12 articles and has a Declaration of Rights instead of a Bill of Rights.
Ratification Percentages: Changes to the Florida Constitution require at least 60% voter approval.

Constitutional Facts

Total Amendments: The U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments.
Proposal Methods in Florida: There are five ways to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution.
Concurrent Powers: Powers shared between federal and state governments.
Historical Context: The current U.S. Constitution was drafted in Philadelphia.

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Description

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the Constitution, focusing on terms such as the Preamble and Popular Sovereignty. Ideal for students studying civics or preparing for exams, each card provides definitions to enhance understanding of the foundational principles of the U.S. government.