Constitution Test Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

How long is a House of Representative's term?

2 years

How long is a Senator's term?

6 years

How long is a President's term?

4 years

What was the name of the United States' first form of Government?

Articles of Confederation Signup and view all the answers

Why was America's first form of government a failure?

The states had too much power, and the central government was too weak Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention?

To create a central court system, ensure people within the country, create an army, allow people to choose their leaders, protect the rights of people, and to make a government Signup and view all the answers

What was the New Jersey Plan?

The government would be made of 3 parts and each state would have the same number of representatives in Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Virginia Plan?

The government would be made up of 3 parts to make laws, Congress would be bicameral. The lower house would be elected by voters, the upper house would be chosen by the members of the lower house, and the number of people in the state would decide how many people in Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Great Compromise?

There would be a bicameral Congress where the Senate would have 2 senators per state, and the amount of House of Representatives would be decided by the population of each state. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 3/5th Compromise?

The population of slaves would count as 3 people for every 5 slaves when counting the population in states. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the main author of the Constitution?

James Madison Signup and view all the answers

What is the Preamble?

The intro to the Constitution that states the goals Signup and view all the answers

What does the word bicameral mean?

Two houses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Legislative branch?

To make laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Executive branch?

To enforce and carry out laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Judicial branch?

To interpret law Signup and view all the answers

What are the requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives?

Must be 25 years old, citizen of United States for 7 years, resident of your state Signup and view all the answers

What are the requirements to be a Senator?

30 years old, resident of your state, citizen of USA for 9 years Signup and view all the answers

What are the requirements to be President?

35 years old, lived in USA for 14 years, born a US citizen Signup and view all the answers

What are the powers of the President?

Commander of military, nominate Federal judges, ambassadors, and other high ranking officials, negotiate treaties, pardon citizens (forgive a crime), represent the United States to other countries Signup and view all the answers

What are the powers of Congress?

Regulate trade, raise and support a military, declare war, establish a post office. Signup and view all the answers

How many Supreme Court Justices are there?

9 Signup and view all the answers

How long is a Supreme Court Justice's term?

For life Signup and view all the answers

What is the main job of the Supreme Court?

To interpret the constitution and make sure the country follows the laws of the constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Why are the Supreme Court Justices' terms so long?

So they can make tough decisions without fear of losing their job. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

John Roberts Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 levels of federal Supreme Court?

District Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court Signup and view all the answers

What does the word appeal mean?

To ask a more powerful court to change a decision Signup and view all the answers

What part of government has to approve all the Supreme Court Justices?

The Senate Signup and view all the answers

What is Judicial Review?

The ability of the Supreme Court to interpret the constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

The right to keep and bear arms. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 3rd Amendment protect?

No quartering of soldiers in your houses. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

House of Representatives and Senate Terms

House of Representatives serve a term of 2 years.
Senators serve a term of 6 years.

Presidential Term

A President's term lasts for 4 years.

Initial Government Structure

The first form of government in the United States was the Articles of Confederation.
This initial structure failed due to an imbalance of power, with too much authority granted to states and insufficient power for the central government.

Constitutional Convention Goals

Established to create a strong central court system.
Aimed to ensure internal security, form an army, allow for popular leadership choices, protect individual rights, and construct an effective government.

New Jersey and Virginia Plans

The New Jersey Plan proposed a government with 3 branches and equal representation for each state in Congress.
The Virginia Plan suggested a 3-branch government with a bicameral Congress, where representatives would be based on state population.

Compromises in Government Formation

The Great Compromise created a bicameral Congress: each state has 2 Senate representatives, while the House of Representatives is based on state population.
The 3/5 Compromise counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for state population counts.

Constitution Authors and Structure

James Madison is known as the main author of the Constitution.
The Preamble serves as the Constitution's introduction, outlining its purposes.
Bicameral refers to a legislative body with two houses.

Roles of Government Branches

The Legislative branch's primary function is to create laws.
The Executive branch's main role is to enforce and carry out laws.
The Judicial branch interprets laws.

Qualifications for Government Positions

House of Representatives members must be at least 25 years old, have been U.S. citizens for 7 years, and reside in their state.
Senators must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for 9 years, and reside in their state.
The President must be 35 years old, have lived in the U.S. for 14 years, and be a born citizen.

Presidential Powers

The President serves as Commander-in-Chief of the military.
Responsibilities include nominating federal judges, ambassadors, and other officials, negotiating treaties, granting pardons, and representing the U.S. internationally.

Congressional Powers

Congress can regulate trade, support military raised, declare war, and establish post offices.

Supreme Court Structure

The Supreme Court consists of 9 justices who serve lifetime terms.
The primary role is to interpret the Constitution and ensure laws comply with it.
Supreme Court justices' lengthy terms help them make impartial decisions without job insecurity.

Judiciary Levels and Approval

The three levels of the federal court system are District Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court.
Appeals involve requesting a higher court to revise a lower court's decision.
Senate approval is required for all Supreme Court justices.

Judicial Review

Judicial Review is the Supreme Court's authority to assess the constitutionality of laws.

Constitutional Amendments

The 1st Amendment protects freedoms of religion, speech, press, petitioning, and assembly.
The 2nd Amendment ensures the right to keep and bear arms.
The 3rd Amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the United States Constitution with these flashcards. This quiz covers key terms related to the terms of office for Representatives, Senators, and the President, as well as historical details about America's first government. It's perfect for students preparing for tests on constitutional topics.