Constitutional Basics
Explain the Bill of Rights (what it is, where it is in the Constitution)
The Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments, 1791) was added to limit central government power (it restricts what the government can do)
How many years is a House of Representatives term?
2 years
What is the president’s power to reject a bill?
Veto
What power did Marbury v. Madison give the Supreme Court, and why does it matter?
Judicial review: it lets the Court strike down laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution.
How does the Preamble show the idea of popular sovereignty?
It begins with “We the People,” showing that government power comes from the citizens, not a king or ruler.
Name one goal from the Preamble and give a modern example.
Ex: “Establish justice” – fair courts
“Ensure domestic tranquility” – FEMA
What is the name for Congress having two chambers? Name the chambers
Bicameral legislature
Senate, House of Representatives
What role lets the president command the armed forces?
Commander in Chief
Walk through how the Supreme Court decides which cases to hear — include the term for the process.
They grant writs of certiorari; only about 1% of cases are accepted. Both sides file briefs (plus amicus briefs), oral arguments follow, and the justices meet to vote and write opinions.
What is federalism, and how does the amendment process reflect it?
Federalism divides power between national and state governments. The amendment process shows shared power — Congress proposes (national) and states ratify (state level).
Which part of the Constitution explains how to change it over time?
Amendment process
What clause lets Congress stretch its powers beyond those written?
Necessary & Proper (Elastic) Clause
The President’s Cabinet is made up of what type of officials?
The heads of executive departments (e.g., Secretary of Defense, Education, etc.)
Explain how the Supreme Court both protects and limits rights, using one case example for each.
Protects (e.g., Loving v. Virginia, Miranda v. Arizona) — expanded civil rights/liberties.
Limits (e.g., Plessy v. Ferguson, Dobbs v. Jackson) — restricted certain protections.
Article that describes each branch of government, as well as the leader of the branch.
Article 1-Legislative (Congress-house/senate)
Article 2: Executive (President)
Article 3: Judicial (Supreme Court Justices/Federal Judges)
What clause says federal law outranks state law when they conflict?
Supremacy Clause
Name one barrier that can stop a bill from becoming a law.
Dying in committee, filibuster, veto, gridlock
What are two ways Congress can check the President’s power?
Override vetoes with 2/3 vote, reject appointments or treaties, control funding, or impeach/remove the president
Compare originalism and pragmatism as judicial philosophies. How could those lead to different outcomes in the same case?
Originalism = interpret Constitution as framers intended
Pragmatism = interpret based on modern realities.
Originalists may limit rights not written in the text, while pragmatists may expand them to fit today’s issues.
How do the Constitution’s structures (separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism) all work together to prevent tyranny?
They divide power between (federal/state) and (three branches). Each can limit the others, ensuring no single person or group gains total control.
Name two Enlightenment thinkers who influenced the Bill of Rights and what idea they contributed.
Locke–natural rights; Mason–Virginia Declaration; Jefferson–religious freedom
Explain the difference between standing, select, joint, and conference committees.
Standing = permanent by topic
Select = temporary special issue
Joint = both chambers routine/investigations
Conference = compromise House & Senate bills
How do the President’s formal powers differ from informal powers, and give one example of each.
Formal = written in Constitution (e.g., veto, commander-in-chief).
Informal = evolved powers (e.g., executive orders, bully pulpit).
Name the three levels of the federal court system in order and describe what type of cases each handles.
District (trial/start), Appeals (reviews trial decisions), Supreme Court (final authority).
Two influences on Congress