U.S. Government & Constitution Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which one was created first? Articles of Confederation or The Constitution?

The Constitution

Articles of Confederation (correct)

Which one of the two provides the framework for today's government? Articles of Confederation or The Constitution?

The Constitution (correct)

Articles of Confederation

Name the 3 branches of government

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

What does the Legislative Branch do?

makes the laws Signup and view all the answers

What does the Executive Branch do?

enforces the laws Signup and view all the answers

What does the Judicial Branch do?

interprets the laws Signup and view all the answers

How many houses are in the Legislative Branch?

2 houses - Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Federalist Arguments

favored a strong national government and felt the Bill of Rights was needed Signup and view all the answers

What is Federalism?

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments Signup and view all the answers

What is the Separation of Powers?

each branch has power over one aspect of government Signup and view all the answers

What are Checks and Balances?

each of the three branches can check the power of the others Signup and view all the answers

What is Popular Sovereignty?

A government in which the people rule by their own consent. The power of the people. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ratify mean?

to approve Signup and view all the answers

What is a bicameral legislature?

Two house legislature Signup and view all the answers

What is Impeachment?

To accuse government officials of misconduct in office Signup and view all the answers

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition Signup and view all the answers

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

27 amendments Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age requirement to serve in the Senate?

30 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum age requirement to serve as President?

35 years old Signup and view all the answers

If elected to the U.S. SENATE, what is the maximum number of terms you can serve? How many years per term?

6 years, two terms Signup and view all the answers

If elected to the President, what is the maximum number of terms you can serve? How many years per term?

4 years, two terms Signup and view all the answers

How many Supreme Court Justices are there?

9 Signup and view all the answers

How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?

270 Signup and view all the answers

The legal voting age in the United States is

18 years old Signup and view all the answers

How many senators serve in the U.S. Senate?

100 (2 from each state) Signup and view all the answers

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

435 Signup and view all the answers

How many houses are in the legislature? (Congress)

2 Signup and view all the answers

What does the first 10 amendments to the Constitution do?

protect civil liberties and essential rights Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of the Constitution prevents one branch of the national government from becoming too powerful?

Separation of Powers Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to be affected when census numbers show changes in a state's total population?

the state's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives Signup and view all the answers

To bring charges against a government official for punishment is known as

impeachment Signup and view all the answers

Why did the framers design a system of checks and balance?

to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful Signup and view all the answers

When are the two ways a bill actually becomes a law?

After both the House and Senate have approved it and the bill is sent to the President and they have approved it. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 3/5 compromise?

Determined 3/5 slaves would count towards population for representation in Congress Signup and view all the answers

True or False: The U.S. Constitution is the law of the land in the United States.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

U.S. Government & Constitution Study Notes

Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution: The Articles of Confederation came first, but the Constitution provides the current framework for U.S. government. The articles had a single-house legislature, while the Constitution has a bicameral (two-house) legislature.
Branches of Government: The U.S. government has three branches:
- Legislative: Makes laws, composed of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives).
- Executive: Enforces laws, headed by the President and the Cabinet.
- Judicial: Interprets laws, headed by the Supreme Court.
Federalism: Power is divided between national and state governments.
Separation of Powers: Each branch has its specific powers and responsibilities.
Checks and Balances: Each branch can limit the power of the others to prevent abuse.
Popular Sovereignty: The people are the ultimate source of governmental power.
Ratify: To approve a document, such as a constitution.
Impeachment: To formally accuse a government official of misconduct.
Amendments: The Constitution has 27 amendments. The first 10 are the Bill of Rights protecting basic rights.
1st Amendment: Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms.
3rd Amendment: No quartering of soldiers.
4th Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
5th Amendment: Right to due process, protection against self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.
6th Amendment: Right to a speedy trial, legal representation, and an impartial jury.
7th Amendment: Right to a jury trial in civil cases.
8th Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishment.
Minimum Age Requirements:
- President: 35 years old.
- Senator: 30 years old.
Senate Terms: 6 years per term, maximum of two terms.
Presidential Terms: 4 years per term, maximum of two terms.
Supreme Court Justices: 9 justices.
Electoral Votes: 538 electoral votes are needed to win the presidency.
Voting Age: 18 years old
Congress Members:
- Senate: 100 members (2 per state)
- House of Representatives: 435 members
Bill Becoming Law: The bill must be passed by both the House and the Senate and signed by the President.
3/5 Compromise: Determined that enslaved people would count as 3/5 of a person for the purposes of representation in Congress..
Constitution as Law: This document is the supreme law of the U.S.
Census and Representation: Changes in state populations, as reflected in the census, can affect the number of representatives a state has in the House.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the foundational elements of the U.S. government and Constitution. This quiz will cover key concepts such as the Articles of Confederation, the three branches of government, federalism, and the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.