Constitution Test Review

Judicial Branch

Supreme court, interpret laws

Executive Branch

President, enforce laws

Federalism

Shared powers between federal & state governments

Amendment Process

Allows the government to change when need be.

Article 6

Supremacy clause, the federal government is the supreme law of the land, or not.

House of Reps structure

# of reps per state is dependent on a states population.

Senate

2 per state

House of Reps qualifications

Age - 25 Citizenship - 7 years Residency - Live in the district/state

Senate qualifications

Age - 30 Citizenship - 9 years Residency - live in the state

Legislative Branch

Congress, make laws

House of Rep Term Lengths

2 years - unlimited term length

Senate Term Lengths

6 years - unlimited term lengths

Congress Powers

Declare War Taxes Coin money Interstate Commerce Regulate Trade Immigration

Enumerated Powers

Powers that are clearly listed in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers that have derived from the Necessary & proper Clause - military draft

How a bill becomes a law

Step 1, bill must pass through both houses of Congress with a simple majority vote. Step 2, Bill must be signed into Law by the President

Power of the Purse

Bills that involve money need to pass through the House of Reps first.

Impeachment

impeachment charges, brought by the house of reps (simple majority)

Executive Branch structure

President, VP, Cabinet members, Executive Agencies, government corporations, US Military

Executive Branch Qualifications

Age - 35 Natural born citizen Residency - 14 years

President's military role

Commander in Chief

Chief Executive

Enforce/carry out laws

Chief Legislator

Sign bills into law

Chief Diplomat

Represents America overseas

Head of State

Image of our nation both here and abroad

Economic Planner

Required that they prepare an annual budget

Party Leader

They are the head of the Political Party

Appointment Powers of the Pres

Hiring and firing, usually needs Senate Approval

Pardoning Power

Release people of a legal Punishment

Military Powers

Make military decisions

Congress military powers

Declares war

President military powers

Use military troops/weapons to prevent a crisis under emergency

Making treaties

NEEDS Senate Approval

Executive Agreement

No Senate approval on a treaty

Convene Congress

Call Congress to a meeting (State of the Union)

Veto Power

Kill bills, stop Legislation

12th Amendment

Led to the direct election of the President & VP

20th Amendment

Inauguration day moved up to Jan 20th

22nd Amendment

President can only serve two terms.

23rd amendment

Washington DC gets (3) Electoral Votes

25th Amendment

Presidential Succession Act, who takes over upon the death or Resignation of the president.

Vice Presidential Powers

President of the Senate The tie breaking vote on Legislation Advise the President Count Electoral Votes on Jan. 6th Represent the President overseas

Judicial Branch

Interprets the law

Structure of Supreme Court

9 justices

Supreme Court Qualifications

No age, citizenship, or residency qualifications. Must be appointed by the president, then approved by the US Senate

Supreme Court Term lengths

Life term

Judicial Activism

Having a more liberal take on things, taking on controversial issues.

7th Amendment

Right to a jury in public trials

Judicial Restraint

Interpreting the Constitution as it was written in 1789 - a more conservative approach.

jurisprudence

the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

Judicial Review

The Courts power to declare laws + actions of the President as UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Precedence

When the Supreme Court rules on a case, that ruling becomes an example for all lower courts to follow.

Popular Sovereignty

the People have control over the government

4th Amendment

Freedom from unusual searches and seizures

Federalism

The gov't power is shared between federal, state, and local gov't's

When should you display the American Flag?

From sunrise to sunset, it must be illuminated after dark.

Should you display the flag in bad weather?

Not unless it's an all weather flag.

Should you let the flag touch the ground?

NEVER

What shape should the flag be folded into?

A triangle

Red on the flag means...

Courage

Blue on the flag means...

Loyalty

White on the flag means...

Freedom/Liberty

Stars on the flag represent...

States

Blue portion of the flag..

the UNION of all 50 states

10th Amendment

Powers reserved to the states

The stripes on a flag represent...

13 original colonies.

How Judicial checks legislative branch

Declare laws unconstitutional to congress

8th Amendment

Freedom from cruel or unusual punishments.

6th Amendment

Right to a quick and public trial

How Legislative checks the Executive...

Override a veto or IMPEACH a president.

How the Executive checks the Judicial

Get to nominate judges

How the Executive checks the Legislative

Can veto a bill.

Checks and Balances

Each of the three branches (judicial, legislative, executive), has the power to check the other branches.

Executive

Veto Bills

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms

Judicial

Can judge things that are unconstitutional

Legislative

Can impeach

How the Legislative checks Judicial...

Have to approve judges/justices that the president appoints.

Limited Government

Government shouldn't be too powerful. Can't govern all aspects of our lives.

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, press, and petition

3rd

Soldiers cannot stay in your house

How Judicial checks Executive branch

Declare presidential acts unconstitutional

5th Amendment

Right to remain silent

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to non-specific rights, not listed in the Constitution

Separation of Powers

Powers are shared between different governments