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Basic Principles
Constitutional Parts and Powers
The Bill of Rights
Making Amends
Federalism
100
According to this Constitutional principle, all political power resides in the people.
Popular Sovereignty
100
What section of the Constitution describes the legislative branch?
Article I
100
What amendment guarantees citizens the right to "keep and bear arms".
the 2nd Amendment
100
How many times has the United States Constitution been amended?
27 times
100
What are "implied powers"?
implied powers are powers not clearly written in the Constitution. Instead, they are "implied" or assumed.
200
According to this Constitutional principle, no government is "all-powerful" and must live by the rules set forth in the Constitution.
Limited Government
200
What branch of government is described by Article II and Article III?
Article II = the Executive Branch; Article III = the Judicial Branch
200
Name three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.
Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom the press, right of peaceable assembly, right to petition the government for redress.
200
What kind of vote is needed in BOTH the House of Representatives and the Senate to propose a constitutional amendment?
2/3 vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
200
The national government is a government of "delegated powers". What does this mean?
The national government only has powers delegated to them, or given to them, by the Constitution.
300
How can the President "check" the powers of Congress, and how can Congress "check" the powers of the President?
The President can veto acts of Congress. Congress can ignore a presidential request for legislation, override a veto, or if needed, impeach the President.
300
Recite the presidential oath of office from Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
300
What amendment prohibits "illegal search and seizures" and what amendment guarantees citizens a "speedy and public trial"?
4th Amendment (prohibits illegal search and seizures); 6th Amendment (guarantees a speedy and public Trial)
300
What kind of vote is needed to ratify a constitutional amendment at the state level? (in the state legislatures or through special state conventions)
3/4 of the states approval is needed to ratify an amendment.
300
What are "expressed powers" and what are three expressed powers granted to Congress?
Expressed powers are those expressly written in the Constitution. Examples are many... see Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
400
Name three social issues that have been resolved by the Supreme Court through the constitutional principle of "judicial review".
What is segregation, abortion, gun control, the death penalty, etc.
400
According to Article I of the Constitution, how long are terms in the House of Representatives and how long are term in the Senate?
House = 2 year terms; Senate = 6 year terms
400
What is "double jeopardy" and what amendment protects against it?
Double jeopardy is being tried for the same crime twice. The 5th Amendment protects against it.
400
What amendment ended slavery?
the 13th Amendment
400
What is another name for the "elastic clause" and why is it called the elastic clause?
The elastic clause is another name for the "necessary and proper clause". It is called the elastic clause because it allows Congress to "stretch" its powers to meet the needs of the county.
500
Describe Federalism and give an example of Federalism in action.
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between national and state governments. An example is taxation at each level, laws at each level, and courts of law at each level (there may be other examples).
500
What is the 3/5 Compromise, listed in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, and what Amendment caused it to be "struck", or removed, from the Constitution?
The 3/5 Compromise states that states could could add 3 people for every 5 slaves, or "all other Persons", living in their state. The 13th Amendment ended slavery and thus, struck the 3/5 Compromise from the Constitution.
500
What Amendment is being violated in the following scenario? "After being arrested for armed robbery, his first offense, Rob was tried a a jury of his peers, was found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison. "
The 8th Amendment is being violated, because it prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.
500
What amendment established Prohibition and what amendment repealed it?
18th Amendment established Prohibition; 21st Amendment repealed it
500
What are "inherent powers" and what are two inherent powers the United States, and all sovereign nations, possess.
Inherent powers are powers held by all sovereign nations simply because the are sovereign. Examples include regulating immigration, deporting aliens, acquiring new territory, to grant diplomatic recognition, and to protect the nation against rebellion or other threats.