Test on Notes for US Constitution

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Questions and Answers

Who acts as the commander in chief of the military?

  • The Vice President
  • The Supreme Court
  • The President (correct)
  • The Congress

Article 3 of the Constitution establishes the Legislative Branch.

False (B)

What guarantees the right to bear arms?

2nd Amendment

The _____ Amendment abolished slavery.

<p>13th</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the amendments to their descriptions:

<p>1st Amendment = Right to bear arms 4th Amendment = Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures 6th Amendment = Right to a fair trial 10th Amendment = Powers to states not delegated to the federal government</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

<p>26th Amendment (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Bill of Rights consists of the first 15 amendments to the Constitution.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Article 5 of the Constitution?

<p>To establish the process for amending the Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

The federal government is considered _____ to the states when laws conflict.

<p>superior</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following amendments granted women the right to vote?

<p>19th Amendment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for creating the Articles of Confederation?

<p>To establish a weak central government and prioritize state autonomy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The original Articles of Confederation proved effective in addressing challenges faced by the young nation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the three key principles incorporated into the Constitution to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful?

<p>Separation of powers, checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

The first part of the Constitution, known as the _____, outlines the document's purpose and the goals of the government.

<p>Preamble</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following Articles of the Constitution with their descriptions:

<p>Article 1 = Establishes the legislative branch, Congress Article 2 = Establishes the executive branch, the presidency Article 3 = Establishes the judicial branch, the Supreme Court Article 4 = Outlines the relationships between states Article 5 = Describes the process for amending the Constitution Article 6 = Ensures the Supremacy Clause, making the Constitution the supreme law of the land Article 7 = Describes the ratification process for the Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the legislative branch?

<p>Appointing federal judges (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The House of Representatives provides equal representation to all states, regardless of population.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the system of government where legislative power is divided between two chambers, like in the U.S. Congress?

<p>Bicameral</p> Signup and view all the answers

The President, as head of the ______ branch, enforces the laws passed by Congress.

<p>Executive</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

<p>To ensure individual freedoms and rights that the government cannot take away (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is the US Constitution?

A set of rules that establishes the structure, powers, and limitations of the US government.

What is the Bill of Rights?

A collection of principles that protect individual freedoms and rights from government interference.

What is separation of powers?

The process of dividing governmental power among three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.

What are checks and balances?

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.

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What is the Preamble?

The first part of the Constitution that outlines its purpose.

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What is a bicameral legislature?

The system where the legislative branch has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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What is the Legislative Branch?

The body of government responsible for making laws.

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What is the Executive Branch?

The body of government responsible for carrying out and enforcing laws.

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What is the Judicial Branch?

The body of government responsible for interpreting laws and resolving disputes.

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Who are Representatives?

The group of people who represent their specific region or district in the House of Representatives.

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Executive Branch

The branch of government that enforces laws and is headed by the President.

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Article II

The part of the Constitution that outlines the powers and responsibilities of the President, including acting as Commander-in-Chief of the military and negotiating treaties.

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Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and consists of the federal court system.

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Article IV

The part of the Constitution ensuring states respect each other's laws and rights, preventing discrimination against citizens from other states.

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Article V

The part of the Constitution outlining the process to amend (change) the Constitution.

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Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee basic rights and liberties to all U.S. citizens.

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1st Amendment

Guarantees the right to practice any religion, express opinions freely, publish information, assemble peacefully, and petition the government.

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2nd Amendment

Guarantees the right to bear arms, protecting individual and collective self-defense.

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3rd Amendment

Prohibits the government from forcing citizens to house soldiers in their homes.

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4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, ensuring government agencies need warrants to conduct searches.

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Study Notes

Articles of Confederation

  • Initial governing document of the US
  • Created a weak central government due to fear of tyranny
  • Ineffective in coordinating the states, protecting freedoms, and maintaining a strong economy

United States Constitution

  • Established a stronger federal government
  • Implemented separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent concentration of power
  • Includes individual rights through the Bill of Rights
  • Three main parts: Preamble, Articles, and Amendments

Preamble

  • Outlines the purposes of the Constitution and government
  • Emphasizes a stronger union and protection of liberty

Articles

  • Define the structure of the government
  • Article 1: Legislative Branch
    • Creates a bicameral (two-house) legislature: House of Representatives (representation based on population) and Senate (equal representation for each state)
    • House members serve 2 years, Senators 6 years
    • Congress makes laws, manages finances, conducts foreign affairs, and sets up courts
  • Article 2: Executive Branch
    • Establishes the President and Vice President as the executive power
    • Presidential duties include commanding the military, negotiating treaties, and appointing officials
  • Article 3: Judicial Branch
    • Creates federal courts to interpret laws
    • Courts review lower court decisions and ensure laws comply with the Constitution
  • Article 4: State Relations
    • Ensures cooperation and mutual respect among states
  • Article 5: Amending the Constitution
    • Defines the process for altering the Constitution
  • Article 6: Supremacy Clause
    • Establishes the federal government's supremacy over state laws if there's a conflict
    • Acknowledges prior national debt
  • Article 7: Ratification
    • Outlines the process for approving the Constitution

Amendments

  • Changes to the Constitution
  • Bill of Rights (first 10 Amendments):
    • Protects fundamental rights like freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to bear arms, a fair trial
    • Ensures protections against governmental intrusion on individual liberties
  • Subsequent Amendments:
    • Expanding individual freedoms and rights (e.g., abolishing slavery, granting voting rights to women and lowering the voting age)(13th, 19th, 26th)

Key Concepts

  • Separation of powers
  • Checks and balances
  • Bicameral legislature
  • Bill of Rights

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