Constitution Test Overview

Constitution Test How long is a House of Representative's term? 2 years How long is a Senator's term? 6 years How long is a President's term? 4 years What was the name of the United States first form of Government? Articles of Confederation Why was America's first form of government a failure? The states had too much power, and the central government was too weak What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention? To create a central court system, ensure people within the country, create an army, allow people to chose their leaders, protect the rights of people, and to make a government What was the New Jersey Plan? the government would be made of 3 parts and each state would have the same number of representatives in congress. What was the Virginia Plan? The government would be made up of 3 parts to make laws, Congress would be bicameral. The lower house would be elected by voters, the upper house would be chosen by the members of the lower house and the number of people in the state would decide how many people in congress. What was the Great Compromise? There would be a bicameral congress where the senate house would have 2 senates per state, and the amount of House of Representatives would be decided by the population of each state. What was the 3/5th Compromise? The population of slaves would count as 3 people for every 5 slaves when counting the population in states. Who was the main author of the Constitution? James Madison What is the Preamble? the intro to the Constitution that states the goals What does the word Bicameral mean? Two houses What is the primary role of the Legislative branch? to make laws What is the primary role of the Executive branch? to enforce and carry out laws What is the primary role of the Judicial branch? to interperate law What are the requirements to be a member of the House of Representatives? must be 25 years old, citizen of United States for 7 years, resident of your state What are the requirements to be a Senator? 30 years old, resident of your state, citizen of USA for 9 years What are the requirements to be President? 35 years old, lived in USA for 14 years, born a US citizen What are the powers of the President? Commander of military, nominate Federal judges, ambassadors, and other high ranking officials, negotiate treaties, Pardon citizens (forgive a crime), Represent the United States for other countries What are the powers of Congress? Regulate trade, raise and support a military, declare war, establish a post office. How many Supreme Court Justices are there? 9 How long is a Supreme Court Justice's term? for life What is the main job of the Supreme Court? To interpret the constitution and make sure the country follows the laws of the constitution. Why are the Supreme Court Justice's term so long? So they can make tough decisions without fear of losing their job. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? John Roberts What are the 3 levels of federal Supreme Court? District Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court What does the word appeal mean? To ask a more powerful court to change a decision What part of government has to approve all the Supreme Court Justices? The Senate What is Judicial Review? The ability of the Supreme Court to interpret the constitution. What does the 1st Amendment protect? Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly. What does the second Amendment protect? The right to keep and bear arms. 1/2 What is the 3rd Amendment protect? No quartering of soldiers in your houses. What is the 4th Amendment protect? Government can't search your property without a search warrant. The 5,6, and 7th Amendment protect you rights in........ The rights you have in court. What is the 8th Amendment? No excessive penalties. What does the 9th Amendment claim? Specifying certain rights "shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people." In other words, the rights of one person or people cannot come into conflict or deny another person's or people's rights. What type of government does the 10th Amendment protect? State's government, so if anything that isn't specifically given to a government it'll go to the state court. What is the Bill of RIghts? It's the name of the first ten Amendments. Who is the president of the United States of America? George W. Bush Who is the Vice President of the United States of America? Richard Chaney Who represents Massachusetts in the United States Senate? Ted Kennedy and John Kerry Who represents Wellesley in the House of Representatives? Barney Frank Who is the Governor of Massachusetts? Deval Patrick What are the two ways to amend the Constitution? 2/3 of the congress vote to amend or 3/4 of the state's government can vote to amend. What does it mean to "amend" the Constitution? to change or add on the laws What are the three levels of government in the United States? Executive branch, congress, and Supreme Court The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech unless... it encourages violence, or forces people to do something they don't want to do. What is another name for the Executive Department? The cabinet What is the main job of the Executive Departments? To help the president carry out the laws and to advise the president. What does the Depart of Defense oversee? the military. What does the state department oversee? Relations with other countries. What does the Treasury Department oversee? Supervises the collection of taxes and the printing of money. What does the Department of Interior oversee? Protects natural resources and wildlife. Supervises Native American reservations. What does the Department of Homeland security oversee? Protecting the country from terrorism. What does the Justice Department oversee? Enforces the U.S. governemnt's laws. 2/2