Important People
Who are the current president and vice president of the United States and what is their political party?
(Republican) Donald Trump- President, JD Vance- Vice President
How long is the term of office for President and Vice President?
4 years with term limits of two terms
Which document had the main premise that “People agree to government to protect natural rights and can remove rulers who violate these rights”?
Declaration of Independence
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as what?
The Bill of Rights
How long is the term of office for U.S. Supreme Court?
Lifetime
How many articles are in the Constitution?
7
What phrase means power is distributed among three separate and independent branches of government?
separation of powers
What title does the leader of the House of Representatives have?
Speaker of the House
How many members of the Senate are from each state and for the total Senate?
There are two members of the Senate from each state and 100 Senators total.
What was the compact of the thirteen original states that set up the first government of the United States?
Articles of Confederation
Many states only agreed to ratify the Constitution on what condition, resolving the dispute between the Federalists and Antifederalists?
That a bill of rights would be added
How many levels are there in the U.S. Court System for federal courts?
3
How many Electoral votes are needed to become president?
270
Checks and balances ensure what:
No branch of government becomes too powerful as each branch is subject to restraints by other branches
Who are the current governor and lieutenant governor for the state of Michigan and what is their political party?
(Democrat) Gretchen Whitmer- Governor, Garlin Gilchrist II- Lieutenant Governor
How justices are on the U.S. Supreme Court when no vacancies exist?
9
quartering large bodies of armed troops among the colonists
imposing taxes without consent of the colonists
transporting colonists to Great Britain to stand trial
charges made against the British government in the Declaration of Independence
Those who supported the new Constitution and wanted a stronger national government were known as what?
Federalists.
What is the ability to hear a case first in the court system?
Original jurisdiction
How many amendments are in the Constitution?
27
Which clause in Article VI (6) of the Constitution establishes the Constitution as the “supreme law of the land” and that federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws ?
Supremacy clause
Who is the current representative for Michigan’s 6th district, which covers Lincoln Consolidated Schools and what political party is this person?
Debbie Dingell (Democrat)
How long is a term of office for a U.S. House of Representatives and are there term limits?
2 years with no term limits
What is the introduction to the Constitution, which says its purpose?
Preamble
Under what grounds did Antifederalists attack the proposed Constitution?
the national government it created was too strong and did not have a Bill of Rights
What is a judicial decision is followed in future cases by setting a standard for similar situations?
precedent
For a constitutional amendment to be proposed, what must occur?
⅔ of both the House of Representatives and the Senate must vote to do this
What are the first three articles of the Constitution about?
Each of the branches of government
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
How many members of the House of Representatives are from each state and for the total House of Representatives?
The number of members in each state for the House of Representatives depends on population and there are 435 members total.
In the closing paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, what did the representatives of “the United States of America” claim to be?
a new government with all powers that official governments have as free and independent states
What was the Great Compromise?
a two-house legislature with one house giving equal representation to all states and the other based on population
What is called when a higher court reviews the decision on appeal of a lower court?
Appellate jurisdiction
For a constitutional amendment to be ratified, who must ratify it?
¾ of state legislatures
What does the principle of federalism in the U.S. Constitution refers to?
The division of power between national and state governments
Who are Michigan’s two Senators in U.S. Congress and what is their political party?
Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin and both are Democrats
How long is a term of office for a U.S. Senator and are there term limits?
6 years with no term limits
Did not allow government to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.
Did not give the National government the power to tax.
No independent leadership position to direct the government
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
To revise the Articles of Confederation so it could address national emergencies.
What is a belief of judges being hesitant to overturn precedent and tending to defer to the judgment of the legislative and executive branches to make laws?
Judicial restraint
Which article of the Constitution describes the process of amending it?
Article 5 (V)
Which Constitutional clause found in Article 1 Section 8, also known as the “elastic clause gives Congress the flexibility to carry out constitutional duties?
Necessary and proper clause