U.S. Constitution and Government Study Notes
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Questions and Answers

In which city was the Constitution written?

Philadelphia

What is the minimum age requirement to serve as the U.S. President?

35 years old

How many members serve in the House of Representatives?

435 members

What is the term for the distribution of governmental powers among three branches?

<p>Separation of powers</p> Signup and view all the answers

List one goal of the Preamble of the Constitution.

<p>Establish justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the first three words of the U.S. Constitution?

<p>We the people</p> Signup and view all the answers

What article number includes the Supremacy Clause?

<p>Article VI (6)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Is taxation an example of expressed, reserved, or concurrent powers?

<p>Concurrent powers</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does an umbrella diagram illustrate about the levels of government?

<p>It shows the hierarchy of power distribution, with the Constitution at the top, followed by national and then state governments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List the six principles of the Constitution.

<ol> <li>Popular Sovereignty, 2. Limited Government, 3. Separation of Powers, 4. Checks and Balances, 5. Federalism, 6. Judicial Review.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Provide two pros and two cons of the Electoral College.

<p>Pros: It ensures smaller states have a voice and encourages nationwide campaigning. Cons: A candidate can win without the popular vote, and it focuses campaigns on swing states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the two-step impeachment process.

<p>The House of Representatives approves articles of impeachment by a simple majority, followed by a trial in the Senate requiring a two-thirds majority to convict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two steps involved in the amendment process?

<p>An amendment is proposed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress and must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between layer cake and marble cake federalism.

<p>Layer cake federalism implies distinct separation of powers between levels, while marble cake federalism illustrates intermingled responsibilities among federal, state, and local governments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main argument of Brutus No. 1?

<p>Brutus No. 1 opposed the Constitution, arguing it would lead to a too-powerful national government and weaken state powers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the argument presented in Federalist No. 10.

<p>Federalist No. 10 claims factions threaten democracy, but a large republic can control them and protect democratic principles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List four powers of Congress outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

<ol> <li>The power to tax, 2. To borrow money, 3. To regulate commerce, 4. To declare war.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Identify any four powers of the president detailed in Article II of the Constitution.

<ol> <li>To act as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, 2. To appoint judges and ambassadors, 3. To negotiate treaties, 4. To ensure laws are faithfully executed.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What does Federalist No. 51 emphasize regarding government structure?

<p>Federalist No. 51 emphasizes the importance of checks and balances and separation of powers among the branches of government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

<p>The Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with no power to enforce laws or collect taxes, requiring a 67% approval for amendments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of Federalist No. 78.

<p>Federalist No. 78 argues for an independent judiciary to resolve conflicts and maintain checks on the legislative and executive branches.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Flashcards

When was the Constitution written?

The Constitution of the United States was written in 1787.

Who is considered the 'Father of the Constitution?'

James Madison is considered the 'Father of the Constitution' because he wrote a majority of the document.

Where was the Constitution written?

The Constitution was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

What was a major problem for the new U.S. in the 1780s?

One of the serious problems facing the young U.S.A in the 1780s was the lack of national unity, with states acting independently.

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Which branch enforces the law?

The Executive branch of government is responsible for enforcing the laws passed by Congress.

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Which level of government includes the Governor and the General Assembly?

Both the Governor and the General Assembly belong to the state government, which comprises two branches: executive and legislative.

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What is the minimum age to be President?

The minimum age requirement for someone to serve as the U.S. President is 35 years old.

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What is the term for the three branches of government?

The three branches of government are: legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation of powers ensures a balanced system.

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Umbrella Diagram

A visual representation showing the distribution of power among different levels of government, with the Constitution at the top, followed by the national, state, and local levels.

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Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed, meaning citizens hold ultimate authority through voting and participation.

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Limited Government

The principle that limits government power and ensures it operates within the rule of law, protecting individual rights.

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Separation of Powers

The principle that divides government authority into three branches – legislative, executive, and judicial – each with distinct responsibilities to prevent abuse of power.

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Checks and Balances

The principle that ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch the ability to check the actions of the others.

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Federalism

The principle that divides power between the national government and the states, allowing flexibility and local decision-making while maintaining national unity.

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Judicial Review

The principle that gives the judicial branch the power to review laws and actions of the government, ensuring they align with the Constitution.

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Electoral College

A system where a candidate can win the presidency even if they lose the popular vote, focusing on swing states rather than the overall national vote.

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Impeachment Process

This process involves two steps: impeachment by the House of Representatives and trial and conviction by the Senate. The House requires a simple majority to impeach, while the Senate needs a two-thirds majority to convict and remove the official.

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Amendment Process

The Amendment process involves two steps: proposal and ratification. A two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate is needed for proposal, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states.

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Marble Cake Federalism

A type of federalism where national and state governments work together, blending their powers and cooperating on common issues.

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Layer Cake Federalism

A type of federalism where national and state governments operate separately with distinct powers and responsibilities.

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Declaration of Independence

The document that established fundamental principles for the U.S., listed grievances against Great Britain, asserted the equality of all men, and declared government derives its power from the consent of the governed.

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Articles of Confederation

America's first national government framework, which was weak, gave excessive power to the states, struggled to enforce laws, and faced challenges in enacting and ratifying amendments.

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Brutus No. 1

A document written by Robert Yates arguing against the ratification of the Constitution, fearing it would create an overly powerful national government and weaken state governments.

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Study Notes

U.S. Constitution and Government Study Notes

  • Constitution Writing: The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787 in Philadelphia.

  • Father of the Constitution: James Madison is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" for his significant role in drafting the document.

  • Early U.S. Challenges: In the 1780s, the young U.S.A faced serious problems, primarily stemming from the states' limited unity, effectively acting like independent nations within the "United States."

  • Branches of Government:

    • Executive: Enforces laws.
    • Legislative: Creates laws.
    • Judicial: Interprets laws.

  • Government Levels:

    • National (Federal)
    • State

  • Presidential Age Requirement: The minimum age requirement to serve as U.S. President is 35 years old.

  • Chief Justice: The current Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court is John Roberts.

  • West Haven City Council Members: The West Haven City Council has 13 members.

  • House of Representatives Terms: Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.

  • Supreme Court Justice Terms: Supreme Court Justices serve life terms.

  • U.S. Senate Senators: There are 100 Senators in the U.S. Senate, with two senators per state.

  • Separation of Powers: The division of government power among three branches is called the separation of powers.

  • Federalism: The division of governmental power among national and state levels is known as federalism.

  • Preamble: The first three words of the U.S. Constitution are "We the People." The preamble lists the six goals of the Constitution.

  • Supremacy Clause: Article VI (6) of the Constitution establishes the Supremacy Clause, making national laws superior to state laws.

  • Full Faith and Credit Clause: Article IV (4) of the Constitution includes the Full Faith and Credit Clause, requiring states to respect each other's laws, court rulings, and public records.

  • Concurrent Powers: Taxation is an example of concurrent power, signifying a shared authority between the federal and state governments.

  • Umbrella Diagram: The umbrella diagram is used to visualize levels of government power. The top illustrates the Constitution, followed by the national level and then the state level.

  • Constitutional Principles:

    • Popular Sovereignty: Power derived from the people.
    • Limited Government: Restrained governmental power.
    • Separation of Powers: Division of government into branches.
    • Checks and Balances: Each branch limits other branches.
    • Federalism: Division of power between national and state governments.
    • Judicial Review: Courts' power to deem laws unconstitutional.

  • Electoral College:

    • Pros: Smaller states have a voice, candidates campaign nationwide.
    • Cons: A candidate can win the presidency without winning the popular vote, and the focus on swing states can ignore other areas. A possible conclusion regarding the Electoral College would be advocating for its evaluation or reform.

  • Impeachment Process:

    • House: Simple majority vote to impeach an official.
    • Senate: Two-thirds majority vote to remove an official.

  • Amendment Process:

    • Proposal: Two-thirds majority in both House and Senate.
    • Ratification: Three-fourths of state legislatures.

  • Primary Documents: Information is provided on the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Brutus No. 1, Federalist No. 10, Federalist No. 51, Federalist No. 70, and Federalist No. 78, including their authors, dates, main arguments, and significance.

  • Marble Cake vs. Layer Cake Federalism:

    • Layer Cake: Separate levels of government.
    • Marble Cake: Intertwined levels of government.

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This quiz covers the essential topics related to the U.S. Constitution and the structure of American government. Learn about historical figures like James Madison, the functions of the three branches of government, and the challenges faced by the early United States. Test your knowledge on key details and landmarks in U.S. history and its governance.

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