Questions and Answers
What does the line 'We the people in order to form a more perfect union' refer to?
The weakness in the Articles of Confederation.
Recite the Preamble of the Constitution.
We the people in order to form a more Perfect Union, Establish Justice, Ensure Domestic Tranquility, Provide for the Common Defense, Promote the General Welfare, and Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our prosperity, to Ordain and Establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
What does the line 'We the People...' establish?
'We the People' establishes how the people give the government power.
What does the line 'in Order to form a more perfect Union' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the line 'Establish Justice' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the line 'Insure Domestic Tranquility' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the line 'Provide for the Common Defense' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the line 'Promote the General Welfare' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the line 'Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Prosperity' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the line 'Ordain and Establish this Constitution for the United States of America' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Preamble introduce?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the Preamble list?
Signup and view all the answers
How many Articles are there?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the Articles establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Article 1 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Article 2 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Article 3 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Article 4 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Article 5 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Article 6 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Article 7 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the Signatures of the Constitution establish?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the Founding Fathers include the Amendments?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the first 10 amendments called?
Signup and view all the answers
How many have been added later?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the Framers of the Constitution create the Amendment process?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the Framers make it hard to change the Constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the first step of Amending the Constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one way to propose an Amendment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is another way to propose an Amendment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the second step to Amend the Constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one way an Amendment can be ratified?
Signup and view all the answers
What is another way to ratify an Amendment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the first Amendment about?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the second Amendment establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the third Amendment do?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the fourth Amendment do?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the fifth Amendment establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the sixth Amendment establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the seventh Amendment establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the eighth Amendment prevent?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the ninth Amendment establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the tenth Amendment state?
Signup and view all the answers
In 1787, why was there a Constitutional Convention?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the people at the Constitutional Convention decide to do?
Signup and view all the answers
Define Federalism.
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Supremacy Clause establish and where was it described?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was Federalism developed?
Signup and view all the answers
What are Enumerated powers?
Signup and view all the answers
What are Reserved Powers?
Signup and view all the answers
What are Concurrent Powers?
Signup and view all the answers
What are Implied Powers?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three branches of Government?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the three levels of Government?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the National Legislative Branch called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the National Executive Branch made up of?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the National Judicial Branch called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the State Legislative Branch called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the State Executive Branch made up of?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the State Judicial Branch called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Local Legislative Branch called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Local Executive Branch called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Local Judicial Branch called?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Preamble and Purpose
- "We the People" signifies the authority granted to the government by its citizens.
- The Preamble introduces the Constitution and outlines the reasons for its creation, including the establishment of justice and promoting general welfare.
- The six goals stated in the Preamble guide the functions of government.
Articles of the Constitution
- The Constitution consists of 7 Articles which lay out the framework of the U.S. government.
- Article 1 establishes the Legislative Branch (Congress).
- Article 2 defines the Executive Branch, led by the President.
- Article 3 establishes the Judicial Branch and the court system.
Amendment Process
- Article 5 describes the Amendment Process, allowing the Constitution to adapt over time.
- An Amendment can be proposed by a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Congress or at a National Convention with two-thirds state approval.
- Ratification requires a three-fourths majority either through state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
Bill of Rights
- The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, protect individual liberties.
- Important rights include freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to bear arms, as established in the First and Second Amendments.
Powers of Government
- Federalism divides powers between National and State governments to prevent any one entity from becoming too powerful.
- Enumerated powers are specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution.
- Reserved powers are those not specifically listed, granted to the states, as articulated in the Tenth Amendment.
- Concurrent powers are shared by both national and state governments.
Structure of Government
- The U.S. government is divided into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
- Each level of government operates on Local, State, and National levels, with specific legislative, executive, and judicial branches at each level.
Federalism and Supremacy
- Federalism was designed to limit power across state and national governments.
- The Supremacy Clause in Article 6 establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law.
The Constitutional Convention
- The Constitutional Convention was convened in 1787 to improve the Articles of Confederation, leading to the creation of the Constitution.
- The outcome was a new governing document designed to address weaknesses in the previous system.
Amendments and Change
- Seventeen amendments have been added to the Constitution since the Bill of Rights.
- The Framers made it difficult to amend the Constitution in order to maintain stability and consistency in governance.
Local Governance
- Local governments have their own branches: Legislative (e.g., Board of Supervisors, City Council), Executive (e.g., County Manager, Mayor), and Judicial (e.g., local courts).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge about the U.S. Constitution with these flashcards. The quiz covers key phrases and concepts, including the Preamble and the foundations of American democracy. Perfect for students of government and civics!