Practice for Constitution Test

1. Practice for Constitution Test Part I

2. Who is the "father of the Constitution" and why? James Madison made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. In later years, when he was referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison protested that the document was not "the off-spring of a single brain," but "the work of many heads and many hands."

3. How many states were required to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect? • According to Article VII, the Constitution was required to be ratified by 9 of the 13 states before it went into effect. All 13 eventually ratified, the last two being North Carolina (1789) and Rhode island (1790).

4. According to Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution, how were slaves to be counted when determining the number of congressional districts per state? The 3/5ths Compromise The southern states wanted to count slaves in the population of the nation, so that they could have more seats in the Congress, thereby increasing their political power. The northern states, on the other hand, were against including slaves in the population for the fear of increased Congressional seats in the southern states On 12th June, 1787, finally it was signed which stated that three-fifth of the slave population of America can be counted as the population of the nation

5. Define habeas corpus. According to the Constitution, a writ of habeas corpus may not be suspended except under what conditions? Habeas Corpus, literally in Latin "you have the body and ensures that a prisoner be brought before the court to determine whether the government has the right to continue detaining themAccording to Article One of the Constitution, the right to a writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended "in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety."

6. What limits on states rights does the first article of the Constitution place? States may not exercise certain powers reserved for the federal government: they may not enter into treaties, alliances or confederations, grant letters of marque or reprisal, coin money or issue bills of credit (such as currency).

7. What are the responsibilities of the 3 branches of government?

8. Which article of the Constitution defines the powers of the President? Article 2 in the constitution defines the powers of the president • Must be natural born citizen and 35 • Can pardon people • Gives the State of the Union • Commander and Chief of Army • Power to veto bills

9. What is the Vice-President's only constitutional responsibility? • Senate pro-tempore= head of senate

10. What is the only crime defined by the Constitution?Define and explain how a person is convicted Treason

11. What does Article VI say about state vs federal laws? Federal law, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, to enforce anything in the Constitution

12. 1st 10 Amendments of the Constitution Bill of Rights • First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. • Second Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. • Third Amendment: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. • Fourth Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. • Fifth Amendment: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. • Sixth Amendment: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. • Seventh Amendment: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. • Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. • Ninth Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. • Tenth Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

13. Sample Questions • The authors of the United States Constitution believed that the voice of the people should be heard frequently. Which part of the Government was created to respond and represent the people most quickly and directly? • Senate • House of Representatives • Supreme Court • Presidency

14.  The system of checks and balances is best illustrated by the power of • The House, Senate and the President must sign a bill for it to become law • Congress to can remove one of its members • a governor to send the National Guard to stop a riot • State and Federal governments to collect taxes

15. At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, representatives from the small states most strongly supported the idea of • establishing a strong national executive • levying taxes on exports • popular election of Senators • equal representation for the states in the national legislature

16. ` • One way in which the authors of the Constitution tried to create “limited government” was by providing for • a two-party system • a division of power between the national and state governments • the establishment of naturalization laws • the popular election of Federal judges

17. Which feature of the Presidency is a result of a constitutional amendment? • two-term limit in office • power to appoint ambassadors • duty to act as Commander in Chief • responsibility to nominate Justices to the Supreme Court

18. Many Constitutional amendments have been proposed, like forbidding abortion, immigration reform removing the death penalty, etc. The fact that amendments can be added show that the constitution is… • the Constitution is an flexible document • amending the Constitution is a simple process • some people disagree with certain Supreme Court decisions • American society has been unwilling to deal with complex social issues

19. The fact that thousands of amendments have been proposed but only twenty-seven have been passed demonstrates that… • the Constitution is an inflexible document • amending the Constitution is very difficult • some people disagree with certain Supreme Court decisions • American society has been unwilling to deal with complex social issues

20. During the debates over the ratification of the United States Constitution, Federalists (supporters of Hamilton) and Anti-Federalists (supporters of Jefferson) disagreed most over the • division of powers between the national and state governments • process for admitting new states to the Union • distribution of power between the Senate and the House of Representatives • how they would of amending the Constitution

21. When the United States Constitution was written, which compromise was reached by the writers to get support of the states with small populations? • Congress would have both a House of Representatives and a Senate. • Five enslaved persons would be counted as three free persons for the purpose of taxation • The President would be selected by the direct vote of the people. • Exported goods could not be taxed, but imported goods could be taxed.

22. When the United States Constitution was written, which compromise was reached by the authors to get support from both Northern and Southern States? • Congress would consist of both a House of Representatives and a Senate. • 3/5th Compromise • The President would be selected by the direct vote of the people. • Exported goods could not be taxed, but imported goods could be taxed.

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24. “No person shall be detained without being informed specifically of what the committed crime is and without seeing a judge in a timely manner.” This quote is giving the definition for… • Miranda Rights • The right to a fair and speedy trial • Habeas Corpus • The right to remain silent

25. "The privilege of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."This statement is an example that the writers of the United States Constitution • wanted the President to have unlimited power during wartime • wanted a balance between individual liberty and loyalty to the United States • did not trust the common people to obey the laws • expected the American people to go against most government policies

26. Once an amendment has been added to the United States Constitution, which process must be used to change that amendment? • adding a new amendment • convincing the states to ignore the amendment • having Congress pass a law repealing the amendment • having the President issue an executive order canceling the amendment

27. Soon after the Constitution of the United States was ratified, the first ten amendments were added because many citizens felt the need for • strengthening the power of the federal government and courts • making a division of powers between the state and federal governments • establishing a national bank • protecting citizens civil liberties and natural rights from abuses by the federal government

28. The Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution to • provide the president with the power to enforce the laws • protect individuals’ civil liberties • establish a presidential cabinet • guarantee voting privileges to all citizens

29. Speaker A:"States must be represented in the national government solely on the basis of population. It is indeed the only fair situation."Speaker B:"The national government must be based on equal representation of the states to protect the interests of the small states."Speaker C:"States must accept the laws of the national government on all issues; otherwise, the system will fail."Speaker D:"The national Congress should consist of two houses: one in which representation is based on population, and one in which states are equally represented."Which speaker’s idea about representation was actually included in the U.S. Constitution? • Speaker A * Speaker B • Speaker C • Speaker D

30. Why is James Madison considered the “Father of the Constitution?” • Because he was known for listening to many ideas and then finding a compromise • He was the oldest and most educated of the all the men who wrote the Constitution • James Madison was very inspired by ideas from the Enlightenment and therefore people respected him • Actually, Thomas Jefferson was the “Father of the Constitution”

31. The 3/5 Compromise stated • The every person, including slaves, Native Americans, women and children would be counted as 3/5 of a person • Stated that slaves would count as 3/5 of a person when counting a state’s population • Declares that when a bill gets passed through the Senate, it must pass with 3/5 vote • All people will count as 3/5 of a vote

32. According to Article I of the Constitution, a state may not • Sign a treaty with a nation • Coin their own money • Accept a loan from another country • All of the above

33. Which of the following is true of the President of the United States? • He or she must be a Republican or Democrat • He or she must be a natural-born citizen • He or she must be a Christian • He or she must not have a criminal record

34. “Declaring war against the United States or giving comfort or aide to those who are at war with the United States is the only crime defined in the Constitution and is punishable by death.” This quote is discussing the crime of… • Anarchy • Radical Islam • Radical Christianity • Treason

35. House of Representatives D. Vice-President • Senate • President • Must be a natural-born citizen to be in this position • Must be at least 30 years old and serves a term of 6 years • Is the head of the Senate • Serves a two-year term and must be at least 25 years of age • This group just had the highest turnover in US history going from a Democratic majority to a Republican

36. Thomas Jefferson • Alexander Hamilton • James Madison • “People are inherently evil and must be told what to do and how to act by a select few that are smarter and more educated.” • “ If left to their own and given the correct tools, people will ultimately make the right choices and there is no need for the federal government to interfere!” • “This nation shall be built on the compromising of many men and their many awesome ideas.”

37. 13th Amendment • 14th Amendment • 18th Amendment • 19th Amendment • “After one year from the ratification of this article forbids the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors” • “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States” • “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” • ” All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”