Constitution Basics
This written plan of government is the highest law of the United States and sets up how our government is organized.
What is the Constitution?
This phrase in the Preamble means uniting the states more effectively so they can function as a single nation for the good of all.
What is “to form a more perfect Union”?
Article I of the Constitution creates this lawmaking branch of government, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives.
What is the legislative branch?
Only this branch of government has the power to declare war, collect taxes, and regulate interstate and foreign trade.
What is a Congress?
The first ten amendments, which protect freedoms like speech, religion, and due process, are known by this name
What is the Bill of Rights?
This introduction to the Constitution explains why it was written and lists the goals of the government.
What is the Preamble?
This purpose of the Preamble means creating a fair system of laws and courts and making sure all citizens are treated equally.
What is “to establish Justice”?
Article II of the Constitution creates this branch, which enforces the laws and is headed by the president.
What is the executive branch?
This individual in Scripps Ranch HS is the ultimate authority for CA-935.
Who is Dr. Matt Lawson?
This amendment guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
These seven major sections of the Constitution explain how the government works and outline the structure and powers of each branch.
What are the Articles?
This Preamble goal means keeping peace and order within the country and protecting citizens and their property from harm.
What is “to insure domestic Tranquility”?
Article III of the Constitution creates this branch, which interprets the laws and includes the Supreme Court.
What is the judicial branch?
This presidential power allows the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless overridden.
What is a veto?
This amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
What is the Thirteenth Amendment?
These additions and changes to the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, allow the document to be updated over time. There are 27 of them.
What are amendments?
This Preamble phrase means helping people live healthy, happy, and prosperous lives.
What is “to promote the general Welfare”?
This group within the legislative branch has 100 members, two from each state, who serve six-year terms
What is the Senate?
This “elastic clause” gives Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper” for carrying out its listed powers.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
This amendment guarantees women the right to vote.
What is the Nineteenth Amendment?
James Madison, who played a leading role in writing and defending the Constitution, is often called this.
Who is the “Father of the Constitution”?
This Preamble goal means protecting the freedom and basic rights of all Americans, including future generations.
What is “to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”?
This group in the legislative branch is based on population and members are elected every two years.
What is the House of Representatives?
This phrase in Article VI says that the Constitution and federal laws are above state laws when there is a conflict.
What is the “supreme Law of the Land”?
This amendment lets Congress collect an income tax without dividing it among the states by population.
What is the Sixteenth Amendment?