The Parts
This part of the constitution begins with the words "We the People"
What is the preamble?
Although similar to our Constitution, these articles fell short because did not grant the national government to tax or to regulate trade
What are the Articles of Confederation?
Article I lays out the powers of this branch of government.
What is the legislative branch?
This branch of government carries out and enforces the law.
What is the executive branch?
Article IV establishes this.
What is "states rights" or "the relationship between the states and the national government"?
This is the main part that describes how the government is set up.
What are the Articles?
In order for the Constitution to be ratified, this number of states had to agree to make it the law of the land
What is nine?
These are the specific powers listed in the Constitution. An example would be the power to coin money.
What are expressed powers?
This institution is responsible for electing the President of the United States.
What is the "Electoral College"?
This article explains the relationship between states and national goverment
What is article IV?
This is the opening paragraph to the Constitution.
What is the Preamble?
This phrase means that the power lies with the people of our nation
What is popular sovereignty?
Powers that can be used only by state governments
What are reserved powers?
This branch of government is responsible for interpreting and applying the law.
What is the judicial branch?
This article specifies the process of amending the Constitution
What is article V?
These are the additions or changes to the Constitution.
What are the Amendments?
Presidential veto of laws, Congressional power to impeach, the Supreme Courts power to declare a law null and void are all examples of this
What are checks and balances?
Powers of the Congress that are not listed in the Constitution
What are implied powers?
Article III establishes this as the "highest court in the land".
What is the Supreme Court?
A fundamental purpose of the Constitution is to establish this
What is justice?
He is called "the Father of the Constitution" because he penned it.
Who is James Madison?
The name of Americans that opposed the Constitution and wanted more power given to the states
What are anti-federalists?
This is when the President refuses to sign a bill into law.
What is a veto?
This clause in the Constitution resolves conflicts between the laws of a state and the laws of a nation
What is the supremacy clause?
This means the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land. All citizens or government officials must abide by the laws of our land.
What is the Rule of Law?