Constitution Basics
What are the first three words of the U.S. Constitution?
We the People
Which branch makes laws?
Legislative branch
Why did the Founders create checks and balances?
To keep one branch from becoming too powerful
What do we call the first ten amendments?
The Bill of Rights
What is an amendment?
A change or addition to the Constitution
What is the Preamble?
The introduction to the Constitution
Which branch enforces laws?
Executive branch
What can the President do to stop a bill from becoming law?
Veto it
Name two freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
Speech, religion, press, assembly, or petition
Which amendment ended slavery?
The Thirteenth Amendment
What does popular sovereignty mean?
The government gets its power from the people
Which branch interprets laws?
Judicial branch
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
With a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress
Which amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures?
The Fourth Amendment
Which amendment gave citizenship and equal protection under the law to people born or naturalized in the U.S.?
The Fourteenth Amendment
Why is the Constitution called the “supreme law of the land”?
It is the highest law in the United States
What are the two houses of Congress?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
What power allows the Supreme Court to decide if a law is unconstitutional?
Judicial review
Which amendment protects the right to a fair and speedy trial?
The Sixth Amendment
Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
The Nineteenth Amendment
Why is the Constitution sometimes called a “living document”?
It can be changed through amendments and applied to new situations
What is the main job of the Supreme Court?
To interpret the Constitution and decide whether laws follow it
How does the Senate check the President’s power to appoint Supreme Court justices?
The Senate must approve, or confirm, the appointment
Which amendment protects people from cruel and unusual punishment?
The Eighth Amendment
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment