U.s. Constitution

Front 1

What is Article I about?

Back 1

Legislative Branch AKA Congress

Front 2

How often are representatives elected and how long is their term of office?

Back 2

2 years

Front 3

What are the 3 requirements listed for House members?

Back 3

1. At least 30 years old

2. Citizen for at least 7 years

3. Citizen of whatever state they represent

Front 4

What is the determining basis for how many House members a state receives?

Back 4

Population count

Front 5

If there is a vacancy in the House, what happens?

Back 5

The governor calls a special election

Front 6

Who is the presiding officer of the House?

Back 6

The speaker of the House

Front 7

The House has the sole power of...

Back 7

impeachment

Front 8

How long is the term of a Senator?

Back 8

6 years

Front 9

How were Senators originally chosen? What amendment changed this?

Back 9

The state legislatures, the 17th amendment gave the right to the people

Front 10

What are the three requirements listed for Senators?

Back 10

1. At least 30 years old

2. Citizen for 9+ years

3. Citizen of the state they represent

Front 11

Who is the president of the Senate and when may that person vote?

Back 11

The vice president, only to break a tie

Front 12

Which legislative body has the power to try an impeached official?

Back 12

Senate

Front 13

Which congressional body can impeach?

Back 13

House

Front 14

Who officiates when the President is tried for impeachment?

Back 14

The chief justice of SCOTUS

Front 15

What is the required vote to convict someone who has been impeached?

Back 15

2/3rds vote

Front 16

What is the only penalty that can me imposed on someone who is impeached?

Back 16

Removal from office and prevention from holding other offices

Front 17

Who decides the times, places, and manner for holding elections for Congress?

Back 17

State governments

Front 18

What is the salary for Congress and who sets it?

Back 18

$174,000, congress sets it

Front 19

Congressmen are prevented from arrest while in session, except for what 3 reasons?

Back 19

1. Treason

2. Felony

3. Breach of peace

Front 20

In what federal body do all bills concerning taxes/revenue originate?

Back 20

House of Representatives

Front 21

What fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto?

Back 21

2/3

Front 22

What happens if the president does not return a bill in 10 days while congress is in session?

Back 22

it becomes a law

Front 23

What happens if the president does not return a bill in 10 days while congress is NOT in session?

Back 23

a "pocket veto"

Front 24

What are some "expressed," or "enumerated," powers of Congress?

Back 24

Collect taxes, regulate commerce, make roads and post offices, determine federal court system, declare war/provide and maintain a Navy and Army, determine copyright system, coin money

Front 25

What is the clause that gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers?

Back 25

"elastic clause" or the "necessary and proper clause"

Front 26

What is the "Necessary and Proper clause?"

Back 26

A clause that gives congress the power to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carry out their expressed duties. The laws given from this clause are called "implied powers."

Front 27

What are some examples of implied powers?

Back 27

Congress can coin/borrow money -> implies power to make Fed

Congress can regulate interstate commerce -> implies power to establish minimum wage (it relates to interstate commerce)

Front 28

What are the three limitations on the power of Congress to deny the people rights?

Back 28

1. Right to habeas corpus (right to give each imprisoned person a trial)

2. No bill of attainder (no individual may lose rights or property w/o a trial)

3. No ex post facto laws (nobody can be punished for something before it was made illegal)

Front 29

When may the writ of habeas corpus be suspended?

Back 29

in emergency situations

Front 30

What are three limits on the power of states?

Back 30

1. No state can enter a treaty or alliance with another country or make its own currency

2. No state may interfere with foreign trade w/o congressional approval

3. No state can levy import taxes, sign agreements or treaties with foreign nations, or enter into compacts with other states

Front 31

What is Article II about?

Back 31

The executive branch

Front 32

How old does someone have to be to be elected president?

Back 32

35

Front 33

How does the number of electors (electoral votes) for each state get determined?

Back 33

The amount of House and Senate seats in congress

Front 34

What are the requirements for president and vice president?

Back 34

natural-born citizen, 35+, lived in US for 14+ years

Front 35

What are some powers of the president?

Back 35

commander-in-chief of the military, may have a cabinet, can grant pardons (federal crimes), make executive orders, sign bills or veto, appoint officials (with senate approval), negotiate treaties with senate

Front 36

Who is CEO of the executive branch?

Back 36

The president

Front 37

What is the main duty of the executive branch?

Back 37

to enforce and carry out laws

Front 38

Which amendment limits the president to 2 4 year terms?

Back 38

22nd

Front 39

What is "advice and consent?"

Back 39

When the president negotiates treaties, appoints officials, or sets up appointments, the senate must consent to them

Front 40

What is the body of Congress that must approve a treaty the president has negotiated and the fraction they must approve it by?

Back 40

Senate, 2/3

Front 41

What must the president do "from time to time?"

Back 41

Give the State of Union address to Congress and recommend actions deemed necessary

Front 42

What can a president or other officers be impeached for?

Back 42

treason, bribery, or other high crime or misdemeanors

Front 43

What is Article III about?

Back 43

the Judicial Branch

Front 44

What is the main duty of the Judicial Branch

Back 44

Interpret the law

Front 45

What is the term of office for Supreme Court justices? When may they be removed?

Back 45

As long as they maintain good behavior, they can stay

Front 46

Who decides how many federal courts we have?

Back 46

Congress

Front 47

In which cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?

Back 47

In trials involving a state or an ambassador

Front 48

What must be necessary to convict someone of treason?

Back 48

An open confession or matching testimony of 2 witnesses

Front 49

What is Judicial Review?

Back 49

the power to determine the constitutionality of an action of the government or law

Front 50

Was judicial review initially included in the constitution?

Back 50

No, it was assumed as a power the judicial branch has

Front 51

What case established the precedent of judicial review?

Back 51

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Front 52

What is Article IV about?

Back 52

Relations between states and the obligations of the National government to the states

Front 53

What does the constitution say about how one state must regard the laws and records of another?

Back 53

They must respect and honor them (Full Faith & credit)

Front 54

What are privileges and immunities?

Back 54

States must treat all citizens equally no matter what state they reside in

Front 55

What limit is put on adding new states?

Back 55

Congress may add new states, but no new state can be made within boundaries of another without consent of the states' legislatures

Front 56

Who can states make compacts and agreements with?

Back 56

Other states, but not other nations

Front 57

What is extradition?

Back 57

States must return fugitives back to the state of their crime

Front 58

Can states have a direct democracy?

Back 58

No, they must have a republican form of government

Front 59

Who comes in the aid of states when crisis occurs?

Back 59

The national government

Front 60

What is Article V about?

Back 60

The amendment process - how the constitution is changed

Front 61

What is the most common amendment process?

Back 61

Proposal of 2/3rds of congress -> passed by 3/4 of state legislatures

Front 62

What role does the president play in amending the constitution?

Back 62

None - they cannot veto it

Front 63

What are the only limitations on what can be the basis of an amendment?

Back 63

No state can be deprived of equal representation in the Senate, nor can any amendments on slavery be made until 1808.

Front 64

What is Article VI about?

Back 64

The supremacy clause

Front 65

What qualification for holding public office is forbidden?

Back 65

Religion (Article VI)

Front 66

What is the supremacy clause?

Back 66

establishes constitution as the supreme law of the land

Front 67

What does the Constitution say about which law should dominate if there is any conflict between laws?

Back 67

The law made in accordance with the constitution (usually the national govt's law)

Front 68

What is Article VII about?

Back 68

The ratification of the constitution

Front 69

How many colonies had to ratify the constitution to make it law?

Back 69

9 out of 13

Front 70

What are the 5 basic civil liberties named in the first amendment?

Back 70

freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition

Front 71

What amendment extended the vote to 18 year olds?

Back 71

25th

Front 72

Which amendment outlaws "cruel and unusual punishment?"

Back 72

8th

Front 73

Which amendment ended slavery?

Back 73

13th

Front 74

Which amendment said that states could not prevent people from voting based on race?

Back 74

15th

Front 75

Which amendment says a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime (in the same court system)?

Back 75

5th

Front 76

When can the government take property, and what must the government give the owners? Which amendment established this?

Back 76

When it will be used for public use, and the govt must give the owner fair compensation. The 5th amendment.

Front 77

Which amendment defines citizenship?

Back 77

14th

Front 78

What are the rights of the accused?

Back 78

Speedy and public trial, writ of Habeas Corpus, to remain silent, cannot be tried twice in same court system if found guilty, no cruel and unusual punishments

Front 79

Which amendment prohibited alcohol? Which amendment repealed this?

Back 79

18th, and 21st

Front 80

Which amendment gave women the right to vote?

Back 80

19th

Front 81

Which amendment decided that a president can only be president for 2 terms?

Back 81

22nd

Front 82

On what day and time does the 20th amendment say the president shall be inaugurated? What about the new Congress?

Back 82

Jan 20th at noon, Jan 3rd

Front 83

Which amendment separated the vote for President and Vice President in the Electoral College?

Back 83

22nd

Front 84

Who shall choose the president and vice president if no one gets a majority in the Electoral College? What amendment states this?

Back 84

House chooses pres, Senate chooses VP, 22nd

Front 85

Which amendment requires a warrant to search property?

Back 85

4th

Front 86

Which amendment gave government power to impose an income tax?

Back 86

16th

Front 87

Which amendment lays out the rules of presidential succession?

Back 87

25th

Front 88

What is protected under the first amendment?

Back 88

5 basic liberties: religion (establishment and exercise), speech/expression, press/media, assembly, petition/lobbying

Front 89

What are the two components to the freedom of religion and explain each?

Back 89

Freedom from establishment - Congress cannot establish a certain religion

Freedom of exercise - People are free to exercise whatever religion they want

Front 90

What is protected under the second amendment?

Back 90

The right to bear arms

Front 91

What does the 3rd amendment prevent?

Back 91

Quartering of soldiers during peacetime

Front 92

What does the 4th amendment prevent?

Back 92

Unreasonable searches and seizures and search warrants with a probable cause (have to be a good reason and warrant to search someone's property)

Front 93

What does the 5th amendment protect?

Back 93

due process of the law, Grand Jury (enough evidence for the trial), prevents Self Incrimination (right to stay silent), double jeopardy, and allows for eminent domain

Front 94

What is eminent domain?

Back 94

The government right to seize property; however, they must give just compensation for it

Front 95

What does the 6th amendment protect?

Back 95

Right to a fair and speedy public trial (rights to be notified of accusations, confronation of accuser, obtaining own witnesses) and a lawyer

Front 96

What does the 7th amendment protect?

Back 96

Right to jury trial in civil cases (no one will go to jail)

Front 97

What does the 8th amendment prohibit?

Back 97

Cruel and unusual punishment (controversial)

Front 98

What does the 9th amendment protect?

Back 98

All basic rights not mentioned in constitution; our rights are indefinite, not limited, and the bill of rights cannot be used against us.

Front 99

What does the 10th amendment do?

Back 99

Reserve all powers not granted to the national government to the states and people (comes into direct conflict with "elastic clause") "RESERVED POWERS"

Front 100

What does the 11th amendment prevent?

Back 100

Citizens from suing states other than the one they reside in in Federal courts. They have to be a citizen of the state to do so.

Front 101

What does the 12th amendment do?

Back 101

Change the electoral college by separating vote for VP and P (1 vote for P, 1 vote for VP)

Front 102

What does the 13th amendment do?

Back 102

end slavery

Front 103

What does the 14th amendment do?

Back 103

States now must abide to the Bill of Rights

States must give all citizens equal legal protection

Defines birthright citizenship and repeals 3/5ths compromise

Limits the power of the state (they cannot take away citizens' life, liberty, and property without due process)

Front 104

How does the 14th amendment limit state power?

Back 104

It makes them abide to the Bill of Rights

Front 105

Did the Bill of Rights originally apply to states?

Back 105

NO! It originally was only for the national govt until the 14th amendment

Front 106

What are civil liberties?

Back 106

Constitutional freedoms that limit what the govt can do and protect individual rights from being violated by the constitution

Front 107

What does the 15th amendment establish?

Back 107

The right to vote cannot be based on race or color

Front 108

What does the 16th amendment create?

Back 108

Income tax

Front 109

What does the 17th amendment do?

Back 109

Establishes the direct selection of senators thru popular vote rather than being selected thru state legislatures (deprived states even more)

Front 110

What are the Progressive Era amendments?

Back 110

16-19 - in come senators with wine and women

Front 111

What did the 20th amendment do?

Back 111

Move the date congress begins to Jan 3rd and presidential inauguration to Jan 20th at noon

"lame duck" amendment

Front 112

What does the 22nd amendment do?

Back 112

Limit presidents to 2 terms

Front 113

What does the 23rd amendment do?

Back 113

Give 3 electoral college votes to Washington DC so citizens in DC can vote for president - they have 1 rep in house, yet they cannot vote

Front 114

What does the 24th amendment prohibit?

Back 114

Poll tax

Front 115

What does the 25th amendment establish?

Back 115

Rules for presidential sucession

Front 116

What does the 26th amendment do?

Back 116

Move the legal voting age to 18 (Vietnam war)

Front 117

What does the 27th amendment do?

Back 117

Make congressional pay raises to not take effect until next term of office (so if they request ridiculous raises, they will be voted out of office before it happens)

Front 118

What does the Senate and House do?

Back 118

The House is closer to the public and follows their opinion more

The Senate is more distant from public opinion and checks it