The 7 Articles
This opening part, famously opening with, We The People," of the Constitution introduces the document and sets forth its overall goals.
What is the Preamble?
He earned the title "Father of the Constitution" for developing the Virginia Plan and taking detailed daily notes during the convention.
Who is James Madison?
Found in Article II, Section 2, this title makes the President the head of the military forces.
What is Commander in Chief (of the Army and Navy)?
Flag burning is protected as symbolic speech under this amendment.
What is the First Amendment?
To be eligible for election to the House of Representatives, a person must be at least this age.
What is 25 years old?
Article I lays out the structure and powers of this branch of government.
What is the Legislative Branch (or Congress)?
Representing Connecticut, this merchant and public official introduced the Great Compromise.
Who is Roger Sherman?
According to Article I, Section 7, all bills aimed at raising revenue (such as income taxes) must originate in this house of Congress.
What is the House of Representatives?
This amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures of their person or property without a warrant or probable cause.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
Originally, senators were chosen by state legislatures, but this amendment changed the rule so that citizens vote for them directly.
What is the 17th Amendment?
According to Article III, Section 1, this is the length of time Supreme Court justices serve.
What is for life (during good behavior)?
This New York lawyer advocated for a national government with unlimited power over states and co-wrote *The Federalist* papers.
Who is Alexander Hamilton?
Listed at the end of Article I, Section 8, this clause stretches the powers of Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its duties.
What is the Elastic Clause (or Necessary and Proper Clause)?
The 5th Amendment prevents an individual from being tried twice for the exact same crime, a concept known as this.
What is double jeopardy?
Article II, Section 3 requires the President to periodically deliver this report or speech to Congress.
What is the State of the Union address?
According to Article V, an amendment must be ratified by this fraction of the states.
What is 3/4?
Representing Delaware, he supported the Great Compromise and previously signed the Articles of Confederation.
Who is John Dickinson?
Article I, Section 9 prohibits Congress from passing these laws, which make an act a crime *after* it has already been committed.
What are ex post facto laws?
Banned by the 24th Amendment in 1964, this payment was previously used by several southern states to prevent citizens from voting.
What is a poll tax?
This amendment restricts a President from serving more than two terms.
What is the 22nd Amendment?
Article VII states that this specific number of states was required to ratify the Constitution for it to become legal.
What is 9 states?
This Pennsylvania representative pushed for presidential appointment of senators and drafted the final wording of the Constitution.
Who is Gouverneur Morris?
nder Article II, Section 2, the President has the power to negotiate treaties, but they do not take effect until ratified by this body.
What is the Senate?
Passed in 1971, the 26th Amendment lowered the national voting age to this.
What is 18 years old?
A state's total number of electoral votes is calculated by combining its seats in the House of Representatives with its seats in this body.
What is the Senate (2 seats)?