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Loading...When was the U.S. Constitution signed?
easySeptember 17, 1787
What is the supreme law of the land?
easyThe Constitution
How many articles are in the Constitution?
easy7
What are the first ten amendments called?
easyThe Bill of Rights
What does the Preamble begin with?
easy"We the People of the United States"
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
medium27
What is the process to amend the Constitution?
hardProposed by 2/3 of both houses of Congress (or convention), ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures
What document preceded the Constitution as the first governing framework?
mediumThe Articles of Confederation
What was the Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention?
hardCreating a bicameral legislature with the House (by population) and Senate (equal representation)
Who is called the 'Father of the Constitution'?
mediumJames Madison
What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
easyLegislative, Executive, Judicial
Which branch makes the laws?
easyLegislative (Congress)
Which branch enforces the laws?
easyExecutive (President)
Which branch interprets the laws?
easyJudicial (Courts)
What are the two chambers of Congress?
easyThe Senate and the House of Representatives
How many U.S. Senators are there?
easy100 (2 per state)
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
medium435
What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
medium6 years
What is the term length for a member of the House?
medium2 years
How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?
easy9
Who is the head of the Executive Branch?
easyThe President
What is judicial review?
hardThe power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional
Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
What is the system of checks and balances?
mediumEach branch has powers to limit the other branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful
What is the President's term length?
easy4 years (maximum 2 terms)
What is the presidential line of succession (first 3)?
hardVice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate
What does the First Amendment protect?
easyFreedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
What does the Second Amendment protect?
easyThe right to keep and bear arms
What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?
mediumUnreasonable searches and seizures
What does the Fifth Amendment protect?
mediumRight against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process
"Pleading the Fifth"
What does the Sixth Amendment guarantee?
mediumRight to a speedy and public trial, impartial jury, and legal counsel
Which amendment abolished slavery?
medium13th Amendment (1865)
Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
medium19th Amendment (1920)
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
hard26th Amendment (1971)
What does the Tenth Amendment state?
hardPowers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people
What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?
mediumEqual protection under the law and due process for all citizens
What is federalism?
mediumA system of government where power is divided between a central (federal) government and state governments
What are enumerated (expressed) powers?
mediumPowers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government
What are reserved powers?
mediumPowers kept by the states, not given to the federal government (10th Amendment)
What are concurrent powers?
mediumPowers shared by both federal and state governments (e.g., taxation, building roads)
What is the Supremacy Clause?
hardArticle VI states that the Constitution and federal law are the supreme law of the land
How is the President elected?
mediumThrough the Electoral College — electors from each state cast votes based on the state's popular vote
How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?
medium270 (out of 538)
How many total electoral votes are there?
medium538
What is the minimum age to be President?
easy35 years old
What is the minimum age to be a U.S. Senator?
medium30 years old
What are unalienable rights according to the Declaration of Independence?
easyLife, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
easyThomas Jefferson (primary author)
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
easyJuly 4, 1776
What philosophical concept influenced the Founders' view of government?
hardNatural law and natural rights — the idea that certain rights come from God, not government
Influenced by John Locke and biblical principles
What were The Federalist Papers?
hard85 essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay arguing for ratification of the Constitution
What is the concept of 'consent of the governed'?
mediumGovernment derives its power from the people it governs
What is the rule of law?
mediumThe principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law