U.S. Constitution Flash Cards

U.S. Constitution Flash CardsMake these cards and you will do great on the test!Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?Thomas JeffersonWho was the President of the Constitutional Convention?George WashingtonWhat are the two symbols of the two major political parties?Democrats = DonkeyRepublicans = ElephantThe PreambleBeginning of the Constitution and states the goals of document

(Remember PRE beginning)Six Goals of PreambleGoalsForm a more perfect unionEstablish JusticeInsure domestic tranquilityProvide for the common defensePromote the general welfareSecure the blessings of libertyWhat are the three branches of government?1. Legislative2. Executive3. JudicialHow many articles are in the Constitution?SevenHow many amendments are in the Constitution?27What is the job of the Legislative Branch?Make the lawsWhat is the job of the Executive Branch?Enforce the LawsWhat is the job of the Judicial Branch?Interpret or Carry Out the LawsWho makes up the legislative branch?Congress:The House of Representativesand the SenateWho makes up the Executive Branch?The President, Vice President, and the CabinetWho makes up the Judicial Branch?Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, and District CourtsWhat type of government is the United States?Democratic RepublicWhat is FEDERALISM?Sharing of power between national government and the states.Checks and BalancesDistribution of powers among the three branches to prevent one from getting too much power. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH FLASH CARDSThe following are flashcards for the Legislative BranchHow many Senators are there from every state?TwoHow many representatives are there from every state?At least ONE*depends on populationWho calls SPECIAL sessions of Congress?The PresidentWhere does Congress meet?The Capitol Building in Washington D.C.Where are the notes and bills from daily meetings in Congress kept?The Congressional RecordHow many Senators are there?100*Two from each stateWho are Illinoiss two Senators?Dick Durbin and Mark KirkWhat are the the qualifications of a Senator?- Must be 30 years old-A U.S. citizen for at least 9 years-Live in state he/she represents in SenateWho is the PRESIDENT of the Senate (leader)?The Vice President

-Looks over Senate but does not vote or debate on issuesUnless there is a tieWhat is a BILL?A proposed law by CongressWhat are important powers of the Senate?- Approve treaties made by president-Approves Selections of federal officers by president-Jury for impeachment trialsHow many representatives are there in the House of Representatives?435How many representatives are there from Illinois?19What are the qualifications for a Representative?-Must be 25 years old-A U.S. citizen for at least seven years-Live in the state he/she representsWho is the leader of the House of Representatives?The Speaker of the HouseWho is the Speaker of the House?John BoehnerWhat are important powers of the House of Reps.?- Start all bills on revenue or concerning money-House has sole power of Impeachment against any federal officer (the Senate decides case).Where do all money BILLS begin?In the House of RepresentativesWhat is the census?A count of U.S. population to help determine government spending.How often is the census taken?Every 10 yearsWhat is impeachment?When a federal officer is ACCUSED of committing a crimeWho has the sole power of IMPEACHMENT?Only the House of Representatives can impeach or accuse a federal officer of wrongdoing.Who is the jury for an impeachment trial?The Senate serves as the jury and must vote 2/3 guilty to convict.What happens if a federal officer is convicted of impeachment charges?They are removed from office and cannot serve another government job.Habeas CorpusA person cannot be denied a right to be brought to court for trial in front of a judge. *Cannot lock someone up without telling their what he or she was charged with.Bill of AttainderGovernment cannot declare someone or a group guilty of a crime without trial*Example: German government saying Jews were enemies of the state.Ex Post Facto LawCant make a law illegal to have done something that was not illegal when it was done.

*Drink alcohol at the age of 18 when it was legal to drink alcohol.Where do all money bills start?The House of RepresentativesWhen a bill makes it to Congress, where does it get placed?The HopperIn order for a bill to make into Congress, what must happen?A member of Congress must sponsor the bill.Who must sign a bill before it gets placed on the presidents desk?The Vice President and Speaker of the HouseHow long does the President have to make a decision on a bill?10 daysWhat three things can president do with a bill?1. Sign the bill2. Veto the bill3. Pocket veto- becomes law if Congress is session.EXECUTIVE BRANCHFLASH CARDSWhat is the title of the chief executive?President, Chief law enforcementHow long is a presidents term?4 yearsHow many terms can president serve in office?2 terms (23rd ammendment)Who actually elects the President?The Electoral CollegeHow is the number of electors decided for the electoral college for each state?It is the total amount of members in Congress for each state

ILLINOIS = 21

19 House of Representatives2 SenatorsHow many total elector votes are there?538 total

435 House100 Senate+ 3 Wash. D.C._________________538 totalHow many electoral votes are needed to win for President?270 electoral votes needed to be PresidentWhat happens if a candidate does not get enough electoral votes in an election?The House of Representatives vote if there is a tieWhen is election day?The Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November every four yearsWhat are the THREE qualifications to become president?-Must be 35 years old-Natural born citizen-U.S. Citizen for 14 yearsWhat is the Presidents salary?$400,000plus $150,000 in expensesWhat are the MAIN duties of the President?1. Foreign Affairs2. Domestic Administration3. Leader of the Armed Forces4. National Budget5. Legislation Suggestions6. Acts on Bills7. Appoints officials and supreme courtWho must approve all treaties?The Senate by a 2/3 voteWhat is a reprieve? What is a pardon?Reprieve- A delay in punishmentPardon- Excused of punishment without penaltyWhat are the duties of the Vice President?-Take over duties of President when necessary-President of the SenateWhat does the Oath of Office say?President will carry out the duties and uphold the Constitution.

(Oath means to be sworn in)Who are the primary successors to the President?1. Vice President2. Speaker of the House3. President Pro Tempore of Senate4. CabinetWhat is the CABINET?They are Presidential AdvisorsHow many departments are in the Cabinet?15The Department of StateIn charge of foreign affairsThe Department of TreasuryIn charge of all the money(Think Treasure)The Department of the InteriorIn charge of all natural resources and National Parks(Remember inside the country)The Department of AgricultureIn charge of all agriculture and farming programsThe Department of JusticeIn charge of enforcing all laws of the U.S. in federal courts. The Attorney General is Eric H. Holder Jr.The Department of LaborIn charge of labor standards and aids wage earnersThe Department of CommercePromotes all phases of commerce, industry, and businessThe Department of DefenseIn charge with defending country and armed forces.The Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentCreates solutions in urban/city lifeThe Department of TransportationIn charge of nations transportation systemsThe Department of EnergyEstablishes energy policiesThe Department of EducationManages education policiesThe Department of Health and Human ServicesOversees health matters and programs that affect peoples lives (Social Security, Food and Drug Admin.)The Department of Veterans AffairsDepartment focuses on problems American veterans face.The Department of Homeland SecurityFocuses on potential terrorist attacks and was created after 9/11When is inauguration day?January 20th of election yearJUDICIAL BRANCH FLASH CARDSHow many justices (judges) are in the Supreme Court?NineWho selects Supreme Courts Justices? Who approves appointments?The President chooses and the Senate approvesHow long is a judges term?They can serve for life or deathCan also retire when they wantWho is the current Supreme Court Justice?Justice John G. RobertsWhat are the three areas the Supreme Court hears cases about?1. Any issue involving the Constitution2. Federal Laws3. Federal AgreementsWhat is ORIGINAL JURISDICTION?Where a case begins for the 1st time.

ORIGINAL= STARTINGWhat is APPELLATE JURISDICTION?Cases that come to a court by appeal from a lower court.What is a TREASON?Betraying ones own country. Helping enemies of the U.S.What is JUDICIAL REVIEW?-The power to declare a law unconstitutional.-To decide if the law follows the Constitution.How many Federal Courts are there below the Supreme Court?89 District Courts in 50 States13 Circuit Courts of Appeal1 Supreme CourtFull Faith and CreditEach state must honor court decisions, laws, and licenses of other states.ExtraditionAn accused person must be brought back to state where the crime took place.What are the two ways that the Constitution can be AMENDED?PROPOSED= 2/3 of Congress agreeor 2/3 State Legislatures

VOTED= State Legislaturesor of states pass it at Special Convention

EITHER WAY STATES NEED TO APPROVEDoes the President sign amendments passed by Congress?NO!How many states have to approve an amendment for it to become part of the Constitution?3/4Can a state law go against the Constitution?NO! Constitution Supreme!IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT CASES (page 38)Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)Declared Missouri Compromise Unconstitutional and slave are not citizens in U.S.Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)Separate is Equal for all black and white facilitiesBrown v. Board of Education (1954)Separate is NOT equal. Desegregation of all white and black facilitiesMiranda v. Arizona (1966)Ruled that suspect of crime must be informed of their rights.Roe v. Wade (1973)Protects a womans choice in decision about abortion and also gives strict regulations.Make Flash Cards for these Amendments1-182-194-215-238-2412-2615-2717Illinois State Constitution Flash CardsWhen was Illinois admitted as a state?1818How many capitols has Illinois had?3True or False: Illinois has a Bill of RightsTRUEHow many ILLINOIS House of Reps are there?118How many ILLINOIS State Senators are there?Who is Our Skokie State House of Representative?15th District: John DAmico59Who is Skokies Illinois State Senator?8th District: Ira I. SilversteinWhat is the term for an Illinois House of Rep.?2 yearsWhat is the term for a ILLINOIS State Senator?2 or 4 yearsTRUE OR FALSE: Illinois Senators, House of Reps, and Supreme Court Judges are elected by the people.TRUEThe GovernorPat QuinnLieutenant GovernorSheila SimonAttorney GeneralLisa MadiganTreasurer Dan Rutherford