The Constitution Flashcards

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?

'in Order to form a more perfect Union' means to have states staying together, so they can operate as a single nation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the line 'Establish Justice' mean?

'Establish Justice' means to make sure that all citizens were treated equally. Signup and view all the answers

What does the line 'Insure Domestic Tranquility' mean?

'Insure Domestic Tranquility' means maintaining peace and order in the US. Signup and view all the answers

What does the line 'Provide for the Common Defense' mean?

'Provide for the Common Defense' means to protect the country and its people from foreign threats. Signup and view all the answers

What does the line 'Promote the General Welfare' mean?

'Promote the General Welfare' means to help people live healthy, prosperous, happy lives. Signup and view all the answers

What does the line 'Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Prosperity' mean?

'Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Prosperity' means to guarantee the basic rights to all Americans and future generations. Signup and view all the answers

What does the line 'Ordain and Establish this Constitution for the United States of America' mean?

'Ordain and Establish this Constitution for the United States of America' means to establish or accept. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Preamble introduce?

The Preamble introduces the Constitution and tells us why the Constitution was written. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Preamble list?

The Preamble lists the 6 goals of government. Signup and view all the answers

How many Articles are there?

There are 7 articles. Signup and view all the answers

What do the Articles establish?

The Articles establish the structure of US government. Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 1 establish?

Article 1 established Congress (Legislative). Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 2 establish?

Article 2 established the President (Executive Branch). Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 3 establish?

Article 3 established the Court System (Judicial Branch). Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 4 establish?

Article 4 established the States Powers. Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 5 establish?

Article 5 established the Amendment Process (How to change the Constitution). Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 6 establish?

Article 6 established the Supremacy Clause (the National Government is Supreme). Signup and view all the answers

What did Article 7 establish?

Article 7 established how to pass the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What do the Signatures of the Constitution establish?

The signatures established that power comes from the people (Consent of the Governed). Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Founding Fathers include the Amendments?

The Founding Fathers included the Amendments to protect rights. Signup and view all the answers

What are the first 10 amendments called?

The first 10 amendments are called the Bill of Rights. Signup and view all the answers

How many have been added later?

There have been 17 Amendments added later. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Framers of the Constitution create the Amendment process?

The Framers created the Amendment process because they knew that as the US developed, the Constitution would have to develop with it. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Framers make it hard to change the Constitution?

The Framers made it hard to change the Constitution because they liked the way it was written and didn't want it to be changed easily or often. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step of Amending the Constitution?

The first step to Amending the Constitution is the Proposal. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to propose an Amendment?

One way to propose an Amendment is by getting at least a 2/3 vote from both Houses of Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What is another way to propose an Amendment?

The other way to propose an Amendment is having it proposed at a National Convention with a vote of at least 2/3 (34 states). Signup and view all the answers

What is the second step to Amend the Constitution?

The second step to amend the Constitution is Ratification. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way an Amendment can be ratified?

One way to ratify an Amendment is by a 3/4 vote of state legislatures. Signup and view all the answers

What is another way to ratify an Amendment?

Another way to ratify an Amendment is by having a 3/4 vote at a state ratifying convention. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first Amendment about?

The first Amendment is about Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition. Signup and view all the answers

What did the second Amendment establish?

The second Amendment established the right to bear arms (own guns). Signup and view all the answers

What did the third Amendment do?

The third Amendment limited quartering soldiers. Signup and view all the answers

What does the fourth Amendment do?

The fourth Amendment limited searches and seizures. Signup and view all the answers

What did the fifth Amendment establish?

The fifth Amendment established Due Process at the national level. Signup and view all the answers

What did the sixth Amendment establish?

The sixth Amendment established the rights of a person in a criminal court case. Signup and view all the answers

What did the seventh Amendment establish?

The seventh Amendment established the rights of a person in a civil court case. Signup and view all the answers

What did the eighth Amendment prevent?

The eighth Amendment prevented unreasonable bail and/or punishment. Signup and view all the answers

What did the ninth Amendment establish?

The ninth Amendment established that all rights not listed in the Constitution go to the citizens. Signup and view all the answers

What did the tenth Amendment state?

The tenth Amendment stated that the powers not listed go to the states. Signup and view all the answers

In 1787, why was there a Constitutional Convention?

In 1787, there was a Constitutional Convention to make the Articles of Confederation better and more effective. Signup and view all the answers

What did the people at the Constitutional Convention decide to do?

At the Constitutional Convention, the people here decided to write another document, called the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Define Federalism.

Federalism is a system that divides powers between the National and State Government. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supremacy Clause establish and where was it described?

The Supremacy Clause established that the National Government is Supreme, and it was described in Article 6, Section 2. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Federalism developed?

Federalism was developed because the Framers of the Constitution wanted to distribute and limit the power from the State and National Government. Signup and view all the answers

What are Enumerated powers?

Enumerated powers are powers specifically mentioned in the Constitution that belong to the National government. Signup and view all the answers

What are Reserved Powers?

Reserved powers are powers that are reserved to the State, and they are mentioned in the 10th Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

What are Concurrent Powers?

Concurrent powers are powers that are shared between the National and State Government (Collecting Taxes, Borrowing Money, Maintaining Courts, etc.). Signup and view all the answers

What are Implied Powers?

Implied powers are powers that are not specifically listed in the Constitution, but the National government carries them out (Military Draft, Ban discrimination, Regulate/outlaw the use of some items, etc.). Signup and view all the answers

What are the three branches of Government?

The three branches of Government are the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three levels of Government?

The three levels of Government are the Local, State, and National levels. Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Legislative Branch called?

The National Legislative Branch is called The General Assembly, and it is made up of the Senate and House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Executive Branch made up of?

The National Executive Branch is made up of the President and the Cabinet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the National Judicial Branch called?

The National Judicial Branch is called the Supreme Court, and it is made up of 9 judges/justices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the State Legislative Branch called?

The State Legislative Branch is called the General Assembly, and it is made up of the House of Delegates and the VA State Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the State Executive Branch made up of?

The State Executive Branch is made up of the Governor (Ralph Norman) and the Cabinet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the State Judicial Branch called?

The State Judicial Branch is called the Virginia Supreme Court. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Local Legislative Branch called?

The Local Legislative Branch is called The Board of Supervisors (County), The City Council (City), and the Town Council (Town). Signup and view all the answers

What is the Local Executive Branch called?

The Local Executive Branch is called the County Manager (County), The City Mayor (City), and the Town Mayor (Town). Signup and view all the answers

What is the Local Judicial Branch called?

The Local Judicial Branch is called the Virginia State Courts (Local Branches of Courts). 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).

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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!