Questions and Answers
Who is the 'father of the Constitution'?
James Madison
What were the essays urging ratification during the New York ratification debates known as?
The Federalist Papers
Name two authors of 'The Federalist Papers'.
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison
How many states were required to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect?
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Which were the last two states to ratify after the new government had already begun to function?
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How often is the number of congressional districts per state determined?
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According to Article I, Section 2, how were slaves to be counted when determining the number of congressional districts per state?
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Who has the sole power of impeachment?
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Who has the sole power to try officials who have been impeached?
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When the president of the U.S. is tried for impeachment, who presides at the trial?
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According to the Constitution, a writ of habeas corpus may not be suspended except under what conditions?
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The first article of the Constitution places limits on the states. Name one.
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Name two congressional limits on the President according to the Constitution.
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Which article of the Constitution defines the powers of the President?
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For what office mentioned in the Constitution must a person be a natural-born citizen?
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Name three powers of the President as stated in the Constitution.
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Which branch(es) of the federal government is responsible for establishing lower federal courts?
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What is the Vice-President's only constitutional responsibility?
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What is the only condition specified by the Constitution concerning the nature of state governments?
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What is the only crime defined by the Constitution?
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What does the Constitution require to convict a person of treason?
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How does Article VI of the Constitution resolve possible conflicts between state laws and federal laws?
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What does Article VI say about administering religious tests to candidates for public office?
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When is it possible for a constitutional convention such as the Convention of 1789 to occur?
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Can the president introduce, ratify, or veto a constitutional amendment?
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What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
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There are five basic rights mentioned in the First Amendment. Name three.
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Name five of the rights guaranteed to all citizens in the Bill of Rights.
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What does the tenth amendment say about the delegation of powers to the states?
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Which amendment established the federal income tax?
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The Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, passed in what year?
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People who fought for the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment were called?
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According to the Twentieth Amendment, if the President-elect dies before the beginning of his/her term, who becomes President?
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Name the only amendment that specifically repeals another amendment.
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What was the purpose of the most recent amendment to the Constitution?
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The argument that 'anyone old enough to fight for his country, is old enough to vote' secured passage of what amendment?
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What is the term (number of years) served by a member of the House of Representatives?
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What is the term served by a member of the Senate?
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What is the minimum age for a Representative?
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What is the minimum age for a Senator?
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What is the minimum age for a President?
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Which amendment banned slavery?
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Which amendment declared all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. to be citizens?
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Which amendment established due process and equal protection under the law?
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Which amendment established suffrage for black Americans?
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What is the exception to the Thirteenth Amendment's abolition of involuntary servitude?
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The Twenty-fifth Amendment says a president unable to discharge the powers of his/her office must declare this in writing to two people. Who are they?
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Which branch of government is given constitutional responsibility for regulation of trade?
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Study Notes
Founding Figures and Documents
- James Madison is recognized as the "father of the Constitution."
- "The Federalist Papers," authored by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, advocated for ratification during New York's debates.
Ratification Process
- Nine states were necessary for the Constitution to become effective.
- North Carolina and Rhode Island were the last to ratify the Constitution after the new government began functioning.
Congressional Structure and Representation
- Congressional districts in each state are recalibrated every ten years.
- Slaves were counted as 3/5ths of a person for determining congressional representation.
Impeachment Powers
- The House of Representatives holds the exclusive authority to impeach.
- The Senate has the sole authority to conduct trials for impeached officials.
- The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over presidential impeachment trials.
Constitutional Safeguards
- A writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended in cases of rebellion or invasion.
- States are prohibited from making treaties as per Article I of the Constitution.
Presidential Powers and Responsibilities
- The powers of the President include serving as Commander-in-Chief, appointing department heads, and granting pardons for federal crimes.
- Article II, Section 2 outlines presidential powers and requires that the President be a natural-born citizen.
Role of Congress
- Congress is responsible for establishing lower federal courts and regulating trade.
- The Vice President's sole constitutional role is as the president of the Senate.
State Governments and Conflicts
- The Constitution mandates that state governments maintain republican forms.
- Federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws.
Constitutional Amendments and Protections
- The first ten amendments are collectively known as the Bill of Rights.
- The First Amendment safeguards freedoms such as religion, speech, and the press.
Rights of Citizens
- The Bill of Rights guarantees rights like the right to bear arms, protection from unlawful search and seizure, and a fair trial.
- The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states.
Significant Amendments
- The 16th Amendment instituted federal income tax; the 13th Amendment abolished slavery.
- The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920, supported by suffragettes.
Succession and Terms of Office
- If a President-elect passes away, the Vice President-elect assumes the office, as per the Twentieth Amendment.
- A House member serves a term of 2 years; a Senator serves for 6 years.
Voting Age and Citizen Rights
- The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18, based on the premise that anyone old enough to fight should be able to vote.
- The 14th Amendment defines citizenship for all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.
Additional Amendments
- The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, which had established Prohibition.
- The 25th Amendment outlines procedures for presidential succession, requiring written declaration to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.
Involuntary Servitude and Constitutional Responsibilities
- The only exception to the abolition of involuntary servitude under the 13th Amendment is for criminal punishment.
- Congress holds the constitutional responsibility to regulate trade.
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Test your knowledge on the foundational aspects of the U.S. Constitution with our scavenger hunt flashcards. Learn about key figures, important documents, and the ratification process in a fun and engaging way.
