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United States Constitution
To help study for Constitution Test
86
History
Not Applicable
05/23/2005

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Term
The Bill of Rights guarantees what rights?
Definition
- Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
- The right to bear arms.
- Freedon from unreasonable search and seizure.
- No person to be deprived of life, liberty or property without process of law.
- The right to a fair and speedy trail.
- The right to a trail by jury.
- Protection against excessive bail or unusual punishment.
Term
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution are know as...?
Definition
The Bill of Rights.
Term
Recite the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independance.
Definition
"We hold there truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from consent of the governed."
Term
Recite the Preamble.
Definition
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Term
What major event happened in 1763?
Definition
England decides on a program of taxation and control of the colonies.
Term
What major events happened in 1765?
Definition
Teh American colonists begin organized protests against British rule. Patriotic groups such as the Sons of Liberty were fromed. Laws such as the Quartering Act, Stamp Act, nad Sugar Act angered the colonist, who were forced to pay unjust taxes and to provide supplies to British troops.
Term
What major events happened in 1767?
Definition
Parliameny continued to tax colonies without proper representation and the colonists continue their boycott of British imports. The British pass the Townshend act, which taxed galss,lead, paper, and tea.
Term
What major events happened in 1770?
Definition
Colonists reduced their boycott of British goods when they withdrew all of the Townshend Act, except the tax on tea. The Boston Massacre occured when an angry crownd of citizens surrounded a group of soldiers causing them to open fire.
Term
What major events happened in 1775?
Definition
With Americans learned that the British planned on seizing their guns and ammunition. Paul Revere was sent to alert the countryside and gather the Minute Men. An unidentified shot triggered this Battle at Lexington. This started the American Revolution. This also led to another famous battle, Bunker HIll.
Term
What major events happened in 1773?
Definition
With American colonists still angry over the British tax policies, an uprising called the Boston Tea Party occured.
Term
What major events happened in 1774?
Definition
In reponse to the Boston Tea Party, the Parliament passed several acts to punish Massachuestts. The colonies named delegates to a congress, The First Continental Congress. On September 5th, 12 of the 13 colonies sent a total of 56 delegatesto meet in Philidelphia mainly to deal with Britian's actions.
Term
What major events happened in 1776?
Definition
On July 4th The Second Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence (written by Thomas Jefferson and a comittee) A few days later the Liberty Bel was rung in Philidelphia to call the people to the first public reading of the Declaration.
Term
What events happened in 1777?
Definition
ON June 14th, Congress declared that the flag of the United States would consist of 13 alternating red and white stripes, and a blue field with 13 white stars.
Term
What major event happened in 1781?
Definition
The Articles of Confederation are adopted by the states.
Term
What major events happened in 1887?
Definition
On May 14th, The Constitutional Convention met in Philidelphia, it lasts until September 17th. Here the delegates reviewed and approved the Constitution.
Term
What major event happened in 1788?
Definition
11 states ratify the Constitution and it is put into effect. America prepares to be run under this new document.
Term
What major events happened in 1789?
Definition
On March 4th, the new federal government was inaugurated in New York. In April the first House of Representatives was organized. George Washington was elected as the first President on April 6th. He was later inaugutated on April 30th. And on September 25th the first ten amendments (Bill of Rights) were adopted by Congress.
Term
What major event happened in 1790?
Definition
North Carolina and Rhode Island became the last two of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution.
Term
What major event happened in 1791?
Definition
On December 15th, Virginia ratifies the Bill of Rights, making it part of the United States Constitution.
Term
When was the 13th Amendment made and what is it about?
Definition
1865-Abolished slavery
Term
When was the 14th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1868-All persons born or naturalized in the United States enjoy full rights.
Term
When was the 15th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1870-Cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, creed, or color.
Term
When was the 16th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1913-Income tax amendment
Term
When was the 18th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1919-Prohibition. No alcoholic beverages to be bought or sold in the United States.
Term
When was the 19th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1920-Gives women the right to vote in all states.
Term
When was the 21th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1933-Repeales prohibition. Amendment 18 is void. Only amendment to repeal another amendment.
Term
When was the 26th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1971-Sets voting age at eighteen.
Term
When was the 27th Amendment make and what was it about?
Definition
1992-Forbids pay raises to Congress until next Congressional election after pay raise is passed by Congress.
Term
How many members are in the House of Representatives? How is this number determined?
Definition
There are 435 member in the House of Reperesentatives. The number is determined by population.
Term
How many members are in the Senate? How is this number determined?
Definition
There are 100 member in the Senate, two for each state.
Term
How long is a Senators term? What fraction of the Senate is newly elected?
Definition
6 year terms. one-third is newly elected every two years.
Term
How long is a member of the House of Representatives term? And what fraction is eleced?
Definition
2 year terms. All of the House is newly elected.
Term
What are the three branches of government?
Definition
Judicial, Executive, and Legislative. (Think of it as J.E.L.)
Term
What does the Legislative branch do? What two groups are there inside of it?
Definition
The Legislative branch makes the laws. The two groups inside of the Legislative branch is the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Term
What does the Executive branch do? Who is the main man?
Definition
The Executive branch enforces the laws. The Presdient is the main men in this branch of government.
Term
What does the Judicial branch do? What are the two main things in this branch?
Definition
The Juditial branch interprates the laws. There is the Supreme Court and the other courts.
Term
What three roughly classified powers does Congress have?
Definition
Money, Defense, and Miscellaneous.
Term
What power does Congress have with dealing with money?
Definition
Congress has the power to raise, borrow, and coin money. It sets the value of money and punishes counterfeiters. Raising money is done through taxes and borrowing is done through government bonds.
Term
What power does Congress have dealing with Defencse?
Definition
Congress can raise and support armed forces. It also has the power to declare war and send troops to trouble spots.
Term
What does Congress do dealing with miscellaneous things?
Definition
Congress regulated immigration, issues copyrights and patents. Congress also governd commerce between states and between the United States and foreign countries.
Term
What is the Elastic Clause?
Definition
The Elastic Clause means that Congress has the power to carry out the spirtit of the Constitution. (Basicly says, "OK, I know I'm not going to be able to think of every senario, so do the best you can to make good laws.)
Term
What things can Congess NOT do?
Definition
Congress cannot pass a law that makes something a crime after the crime has been commited (ex post facto law), no person holding a federal office is permitted to accept a title of nobility from a foreign country, Congress cannot suspend the right of Habeas Corpus except under sertain circumstances, Congress cannot tax any goods exported from another state or foreign country. Last but not least, neither the House nor the Senate can adjourn or move to another place without the consent of the other house.
Term
Who were the first 5 Presidents? (In order please)
Definition
1-George Washington
2-John Adams
3-Thomas Jefferson
4-James Madison
5-James Monroe
Term
Who were the 14,15,16,17,and 18th Presidents? (In order please)
Definition
14-Franklin Pierce
15-James Buchanan
16-Abraham Lincoln
17-Andrew Johnson
18-Ulysses S. Grant
Term
Who were are last five Presidents? (In order please starting with our current president)
Definition
43-George W. Bush
42-William Clinton
41-George Bush (Sr.)
40-Ronald Reagan
39-Jimmy Carter
Term
What happens if the President becomes sick or dies and can no long do his duties?
Definition
The Vice-President takes his place.
Term
How many members are there in the Presidents Cabinet?
Definition
There are 15 members of teh Presidents Cabinet.
Term
What is an ex post facto law?
Definition
An ex post facto law, is a law that makes a crime illegal after it has been commited. For example, you go to the store and buy prunes and get arrested for buying them, because the next day a law is passed that says you can't buy prunes. It's just an unfair law.
Term
What is Habeas Corpus?
Definition
Habeas Corpus is an order to the jailer to bring a prisoner to court or to set the prisoner free on bail.
Term
Name all the Presidents Cabinet members' jobs.
Definition
The Secretary of State
The Attorney General
The Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of the Interior
The Secretary of Agriculture
The Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Commerce
The Secretary of the Treasury
The Secretary of Health and Human Services
The Secretary of Education
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Decelopment
The Secretary of Transportation
The Secretary of Energy
The Secretary of Veterans' Affairs
The Secretary of Homeland Security
Term
What does The Secretary of State do?
Definition
The Secretary of State is in charge of foreign affairs, including participation in the United Nations, issuing passports, and running our foreign embassies.
Term
What does The Attorney General do?
Definition
The Attorney General enforces the laws of the United States in the federal courts, conducts suits in which the United States is concerned, and is chief legal officer of federal government. This individual conducts investigations and suits concerning monopolies, anti-trust laws and organized crime.
Term
What does The Secretary of Defense do?
Definition
All provitions for the defencse of the United States are carried out in this department, including the operation of the armed forces.
Term
What does The Secretary of the Interior do?
Definition
Charged with all natural resources of teh nation, scenic and historical regions, hte National Park System, Native American affairs, and dams and water power.
Term
What does The Secretary of Agriculture do?
Definition
Aids wage earners, enforces labor standards and laws, runs employment bureaus, mediates strikes and suggests legiglation.
Term
What does The Secretary of Commerce do?
Definition
Promotes all phases of commerce, industry, trade, and business.
Term
What does The Secretary of the Treasury do?
Definition
Manages our nation's finances, responsible for coinage and printing money, enforces money laws, and runs the Secret Service.
Term
What does The Secretary of Health and Human Services do?
Definition
Takes care of health matter and many programs that effect the lives of American citizens. Agencies include Public Health Service, Socail Security, Food and Drug Administration, th Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and many other programs affecting children, aged and other Americans.
Term
What does The Secretary of Education do?
Definition
Manages all the federal education programs in teh nation and oversees educational grants to the states.
Term
What does The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development do?
Definition
Seeks solutions to the many problems of urban life. Its additon is an example of the growing needs of urban living.
Term
What does The Secretary of Transportantion do?
Definition
Transportation has become a vital problem to a complex society like ours. All methods and use of transportation come under this jurisdiction, as well as the Coast Guard.
Term
What does The Secretary of Energy do?
Definition
Charged with establishing an energy policy for the United States. Any issue involving energy is the responsibility of this department.
Term
What does The Secretary of Veterans' Affairs do?
Definition
This positionis responsible for taking care of all matters haveing to do with veterans.
Term
What does The Secretary of Homeland Security do?
Definition
This is the newest Caabinet position (established in December of 2002). This Cabinet position will combine 170,000 workers from 22 agencies including Border Patrol, Coast Guard, Secret service, and Custons Service.
Term
What is the Electoral College?
Definition
The Electoral College is a group of individuals from the states appointed by the state legislations.
Term
The number of electoral votes each state get is determined by what?
Definition
It is determined by the population of the state.
Term
How many stripes does our flag have?
Definition
The United States flag has 13 stripes.
Term
How many stars does our flag have?
Definition
The United States flag has 50 stars.
Term
What are the most important checks and balances in our government?
Definition
1. The executive branch can check the legislative branch by vetoing laws.
2. The legislative branch can check the exectutive branch by passing laws over teh veto by two-thirds vote in each house.
3. the judicial branch can check both the legislative and the executive branches by declaring laws unconstitutional.
Term
What are the two methods of proposing constitutional amendments?
Definition
1.By Congress by two-thrids vote of both houses.
2.By national convention called by Cangress at the request of two-thirds vote of state legislatures.
Term
What are the two methods of ratifying constitutional amendments?
Definition
1.By state legislatures in three-fourths of the states.
2.By state conventions in three-fourths of the states.
Term
How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
Definition
There are 9 Supremem Court Justices
Term
When was the Declaration of Independance signed?
Definition
It was signed on July 8th, 1776.
Term
What were the weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Definition
1. No national courts, only state courts.
2. No power to tax.
3. No real power to regulate commerce.
4. All changes in the Articles had to be approved by all the states.
5. All important laws had to be approved by nine states.
6. No real president, only a president of Congress who was like a chairman.
Term
Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
Definition
The Constitutional Convention was held in Annapolis in 1786.
Term
What are the two main political parties?
Definition
The two main political parties are Democrats and Republicans.
Term
How many states had to ratify (approve) the Constitution before it was put into affect?
Definition
Nine states had to ratify the Constitution before it was put into affect.
Term
Why has the Constitution lasted so long?
Definition
1. It provides for a government by the people.
2. It provides for a government that can act when in danger.
3. It provides for a federal union where people retain certain rights and powers in their own states.
4. It guarantees individual rights, even when the individuals views are unpopular in the minority.
5. It has preserved the union.
6. It provides the leaders of our government an opportunity to interpret the Constitution and to apply it to changing times.
7. It has provisions for orderly changes.
Term
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Definition
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Term
Where would you find the goals of the Constitution?
Definition
The goals are stated in the Preamble.
Term
What are the requirements to be in the Senate?
Definition
You have to be atleast 30 years old, a US citizen for 9 years, and must live in the state it represents in the senate.
Term
What are the requirements to be in the House of Representatives?
Definition
You have to be atleast 25 years old, have been a US citizen for 7 years, and must live in the state it represents.
Term
What are the requirements to be the President and Vice-President?
Definition
You have to be a natural born citizen, be atleast 35 years old, and have lived in the US for atleast 14 years.
Term
The Virgina Plan was proposed by who and what did it do?
Definition
The Virginia Plan was proposed by James Madison, the plan said that the two houses of Congress be based on population. This was very good for the large states, but not for the small states. The large states would get all the power.
Term
The New Jersey Plan was proposed by who and what did it do?
Definition
The New Jersey Plan was proposed by William Patterson, the plan said that there would be one house in Congress and an equal number of representatives for each state. This favored small states and made it more like the Articles of Confederation.
Term
What was The Great Compromise and who thought of it?
Definition
The Great Compromise was basicly the combineding of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. It made it so the House of Representatives who be based on population, while the Senate would give each state equal representation. It was thought of by Roger Sherman.
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