Term
What six reasons are given in the Preamble for the creation of the Constitution? |
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Definition
- Form a more perfect union - Establish Justice - Insure domestic tranquility - Provide for the common defence - promote the general Welfare - Secure the blessing of Liberty to ourselves & our posterity |
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Term
In what institution is the legislative power of the United States vested? |
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Definition
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Term
What are the two houses in Congress? |
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Definition
- The house of Representatives - The Senate |
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Term
When does Congress begin its session each year? |
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Definition
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Term
How many senators are chosen from each state? |
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Definition
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Term
By whom were Senators originally chosen? |
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Definition
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Term
How are the terms of senators staggered? Why? |
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Definition
Every 2 years, 1/3 leaves office. This is so at no point do we have to whipe clean our Senate. |
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Term
What are the three constitutional qualifications for a Senator? |
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Definition
- 30 years old - 9 year citizen of the U.S. - Cannot be an inhabitant of the state the state when elected. |
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Term
How long do senators serve? |
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Definition
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Term
What is meant by the House’s sole power of impeachment? |
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Definition
The house is the only body that can accuse a government official. |
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Term
What are the three constitutional qualifications of a member of the House? |
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Definition
- 25 years old - 7 year citizen - - Cannot be an inhabitant of the state the state when elected. |
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Term
By whom is a Congressman chosen? |
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Definition
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Term
What is the term of office of a member of the House? |
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Definition
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Term
How was the number of representatives each state had determined? |
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Definition
It's based off of population. (Census) |
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Term
What was the constitutional purpose for a census every ten year? |
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Definition
So that adjustments could be made in the number of representatives each state has. |
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Term
If a state’s population, in relationship to the other states, is very small, can it totally lose its representation in the House of Representatives? |
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Definition
No, every state is guaranteed at least one representative. |
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Term
How are vacancies in the House filled? |
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Definition
By the executive Authority via Writs of Election. |
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Term
How is the Speaker of the House chosen? |
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Definition
By the Representatives themselves. |
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Term
How was the election of Senators changed by Amendment 17? |
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Definition
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Term
According to Amendment 17, how are vacancies in the Senate filled? |
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Definition
By the State's executive authority, provided that the state legislature permits temporary filling of the vacancy. |
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Term
Who is the President of the Senate? |
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Definition
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Term
When can the President of the Senate vote? |
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Definition
Only when the senate is divided. |
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Term
What is the president pro tempore of the Senate? |
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Definition
Takes the place as the President of the senate if the Vice President's unable. |
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Term
What is meant by the Senate's sole power to try impeachments? |
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Definition
Once the house has impeached an official, the Senate votes to determine if that person is guilty or innocent. |
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Term
Who presides if a President of the U.S. is tried by the Senate? |
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Definition
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Term
In trying an impeachment, what vote is needed for conviction? |
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Definition
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Term
What are the two possible punishments in cases of impeachment? |
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Definition
- Removal from office - Disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of Honor, Trust, or Profit under the U.S. |
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Term
In impeachment, what qualification is given concerning that punishment? |
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Definition
The convicted can still be prosecuted under any criminal law that applies. |
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Term
Who can initiate bills for raising revenue? |
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Definition
The House of Representatives |
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Term
Does a bill need the approval of both houses to become law? |
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Definition
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Term
What are the two ways a president can allow a bill to become law? |
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Definition
- Approving and Signing it. - Not returning the bill within 10 days. |
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Term
What are the two ways a president can kill a bill? |
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Definition
- A presidential veto - If Congress adjourns during the 10 days and the president doesn't sign it. |
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Term
How can Congress reverse a presidential veto? |
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Definition
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Term
What are the powers given to Congress in Article I, Section 8? |
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Definition
- Lay taxes - Borrow money - Regulate commerce with foreign nations - Establish citizenship - Coin Money - Punish counterfeiting - Establish Post Offices & roads - Copyrights (To promote art/science) - Declare War - Define piracy/felonies on the high seas. - Raise and support armies. |
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Term
What is the purpose of Article I, Section 9? |
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Definition
To put off the decision on slavery for another generation. |
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Term
What is the purpose of Article I, Section 10? |
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Definition
To put limits on the states, keeping them from taking actions that are the responsability of the Federal Government. |
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Term
In whom is the executive power of the United States vested? |
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Definition
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Term
What is the term of office of the president and the vice president? |
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Definition
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Term
What limit is placed on this in Amendment 22? |
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Definition
No person shall serve as president for more than two terms. |
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Term
What is the basic constitutional method by which the president and vice president are elected? (see Amendment 12) |
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Definition
The electoral college origionally voted for both on the same ballot. With ammendment twelve that changed to 2 separate ballots. |
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Term
Hhat is the basic constitutional method by which the president and vice president are elected? (see Amendment 12) |
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Definition
Washington DC gets suffrage. |
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Term
When does the president take office? (see Amend. 20) |
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Definition
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Term
What are the three constitutional qualifications of the president? |
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Definition
- Natural born citizen - 35 years old - 14 year resident |
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Term
What can the Congress do if both the president and the vice president are removed from office? |
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Definition
Congress may declare what Officer shall act as President. |
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Term
What condition is placed on the president’s compensation? |
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Definition
He has a set compensation, and he can't receive extra payment from any state. |
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Term
The President faithfully swears to: faithfully execute…[what?] |
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Definition
the Office of President of the United States |
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Term
The President swears to: preserve, protect, and defend…[what?] |
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Definition
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Term
What specific powers are given to the president in Article II, Sections 2 & 3? |
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Definition
- Commander in Chief of Military - Creation of a cabinet - Grant Pardons - Make treatis - Send/Receive Ambassadors - Give State of Union - Ensure proper execution of the laws - Commission officers |
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Term
For what reasons can a president or other officer be impeached? |
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Definition
Treason, Bribery, other High Crimes & misdemeanors. |
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Term
In what institutions is the judicial power of the United States vested? |
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Definition
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Term
In what two ways did the Founders guarantee “judicial independence”? |
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Definition
- Separation of powers (They can't be pressured by othe branches.) - Not elected, so they don't have to appease the public. |
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Term
To what kinds of questions and judicial cases does the judicial power of the United States government extend? (see also Amendment 11) |
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Definition
Cases entailing Original Jurisdiction or Appellate Jurisdiction. |
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Term
In what cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction? |
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Definition
When one of the parties is at a state or international level. |
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Term
What is meant by appellate jurisdiction? |
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Definition
Cases that are worked as a result of appeals from the lower courts. |
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Term
What two basic rights of the people were guaranteed in Art. III, Sec. 2, clause. 3? |
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Definition
Right to a trial, and a jury of peers. |
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Term
What constitutes treason? |
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Definition
- Warring agains the U.S. - Adhering to her Enemies - Aiding / comforting enemies. |
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Term
What is necessary for a conviction on charges of treason? |
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Definition
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Term
Why do you think the Founders so carefully defined and limited the act of treason? |
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Definition
They themselves had recently participated in it, but it's something that's very important to know what it is, especially as it applies to a newly forming nation. |
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Term
To what things must a state give full faith and credit? |
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Definition
To the laws, proceedings and rulings of other states. |
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Term
What is meant by the privileges and immunities clause? |
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Definition
States cannot discriminate agains citizens of other states without justification. |
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Term
How can new states be admitted to the Union? |
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Definition
With the consent of Congress. |
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Term
What power does Congress have in regards to the territory of the United States? |
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Definition
To take make rules and regulations regarding the territory or property of the U.S. |
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Term
What guarantee is given to each state regarding a republican government? |
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Definition
Each state is garanteed one. |
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Term
What are the two methods to propose an amendment? |
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Definition
2/3 of Congress, or 2/3rds of the state's legislatures. |
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Term
What are the two methods to ratify an amendment? |
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Definition
3/4 of Congress, or 3/4 of the State's legislatures. |
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Term
What does the first clause of Art. VI say about the payment of debts? |
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Definition
All debts before the constitution will still apply. |
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Term
What is the basic intent of the Supremacy Clause? |
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Definition
Establishes the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land. |
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Term
What must all legislators, executive officers, and judicial officers of the states and United States do? |
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Definition
Swear an oath to support the constitution. |
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Term
What can they never be required to do? |
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Definition
Take a religion test to qualify for office. |
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Term
How many states were required to ratify the Constitution? |
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Definition
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Term
Amendment 1 — what five rights are guaranteed in this amendment? |
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Definition
- Spech - Press - Religion - Petition - Assembly |
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