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Constitutional Theory
Constitutional History
Constitutional Powers
Articles of the Constitution
Amendments
100
This French social commentator and political thinker lived during the Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of governmental powers into branches of government
Who is the Baron de MONTESQUIEU
100
He was a leading rebel during the American Revolution, as well as the creator of the "Virginia Plan", and the "Father of the Constitution," and the reluctant "father of the Bill of Rights."
Who is James Madison?
100
Command and control of all US military forces, and their deployment, is given to this branch or office of the US Government
What is President as Commander-in-Chief under Article II, or the Executive Branch?
100
The governmental branch created by Article I
What is the LEGISLATIVE Branch
100
No "excessive bail" or "cruel or unusual punishment"
What is the 8th Amendment
200
The idea of "separation of powers" promotes a government structure divided into Branches; what is the process that allows each branch to act as a "brake" or a "babysitter" on the other branches?
What is the process of "checks and balances"
200
This uprising of angry farmers in Massachusetts in 1786-87 scared Americans enough to get serious about Changing our constitution and form of government.
What was Shays' Rebellion?
200
What allows the powers of the US government to expand and meet new, unforeseen needs not addressed specifically in the Constitution?
What is the "necessary and proper" clause or the "elastic" clause?
200
2/3 to propose, 3/4 to ratify . . . what are we talking about
What is Article V (5) the Amendment Article
200
List all five (5) of the Rights listed in the First Amendment
What are the freedoms of: 1) Religion 2) Speech 3) Press 4) Petition 5) Assembly
300
Name at least two political philosophers who promoted the idea of a "SOCIAL CONTRACT" in which individuals voluntarily give up some freedoms to obtain security and order from a government
Who were Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau
300
The Connecticut Compromise allowed this deal between competing plans of government.
What is a bicameral legislature upper house (Senate) with equal representation of the States and the lower House with varying representation based on the size of a state's population
300
These Powers are shared by both the national or federal government and by the state governments also.
What are Shared or Concurrent Powers?
300
The Debate between the two views is as old as the Constitution itself. . . Explain the difference between "loose interpretation " and "strict interpretation" of our Constitution.
Those advocating a "loose interpr. want federal or national power EXPANDED through implied powers and the "elastic" clause. On the other hand, those who favor a "strict " interp. want the federal gov't limited to mostly enumerated powers and point to the TENTH Amend.'s giving implied powers to the STATES.
300
Women were, by this amendment ratified in 1920, finally recognized as having the right to vote.
What is the 19th Amendment?
400
Freedoms of Conscience and Speech are considered to be the "inalienable rights" that are the most fundamental and basic. Who was the Enlightenment philosopher who was most focused and outspoken on these freedoms of Speech and belief?
Who was Voltaire?
400
Did the Articles of Confederation ever do ANY good or do anything positive? Give an example
I decide the quality of the answer
400
those "self-evident" powers of the government that are seen as obvious or "automatic" . . . DUH!
What are "Inherent powers"?
400
Which Article says State laws can't conflict with Federal laws, if they do the state law doesn't count and cannot be enforced?
What is Article VI (6)? /or/ what is the "Supremacy Clause" ?
400
This amendment about what to do about a disabled, but NOT dead president is sometimes called "the ticking time bomb in the Constitution"
What is the 25th Amendment?
500
The old and proven ideas that government should be LIMITED, its powers shared, and that the LAW itself is above the government NOT the government above the law, are all ideas found in this foundational document signed in 1215.
What is MAGNA CARTA ?
500

author of the New Jersey or "small state" Plan to represent all of the states equally in the new Federal legislature . . .

Who was William Patterson?

500

These guys have the power to approve or to disapprove a president's choices for appointments to office (like the Supreme Court) or to treaties  that the President has signed with other countries

What is 

the SENATE?

500
Treason is defined and discussed in this Article
What is Article III (3) ?
500
in the 2012 election anyone voting for Barack Obama for President was also, automatically, voting for Joe Biden for V.P. Which amendment says we vote for a Presidential and vice-presidential candidate TOGETHER, as a team or "TICKET"?
What is the 12th Amendment?