thomas jefferson
who wrote the declaration of independence
1776
philadelphia
when and where was the declaration signed
acted as the 1st constitution for the US
what are the articles of confederation
-no way to service state conflicts
-no taxing power
breifly describe some of the problems our country experienced under the articles
1787 (may-september)
-philadelphia
when and where did the constitutional convention meet
-representation
-proposed 2 houses of congress based on population
what major problem had to be solved during the constitutional convention between the large states and the small states, and what was the solution?
it needed a bill of rights
what did jefferson think of the new constitution
-introduction
-listed the goals
what was the purpose of the preamble
seven
how many articles?
article 2
which article gives information about the president
article 5
which article tells you how to amend the constitution
27
how many amendments?
people electing those who represent them
what is meant by "representative" government
so theres never an inexperienced amount of people on the senate
why are there staggered terms of office in the senate
governor appointment
what happens if a senator cannot finish a term
vice president
who is president of the senate
100
how many senators?
2
how many senators does each state have
6 years
how long is a senators term?
unlimited
how many times can a senator be re-elected
-30 years old
-citizen for 9 years
-reside in state of representation
qualifications:senators
-25 years old
-citizen for 7 years
-reside in state of representation
qulaifications:representative
-bill introduced
-voted on by committee
-approved or vetoed by president
lawmaking process:
-each time house of reps starts a new term
explain how sessions of congress are numbered
-expostfacto laws
-pass a bill of attainer
-tax goods
congress CANNOT:
-every state must accept the statutes, records, and decisions of all other states
what is the "full faith and credit" clause?
enforce laws
what is the resposibility of the executive branch
president and vice president
who are the two most important officials in the executive branch
-35 years old
-resident of the US for 14 years
qualifications:president and vice president
4 years
presidents term is how long
2
how many terms may a president serve
congress adjourns before the 10-day period is up and the president has not acted on the bill
what is a pocket veto
-commander in cheif
-power to commit war effort
what military powers does the president have
senate
which house of congress must approve presidential appointments
senate
which house of congress must approve treaties
president
who may call a special session of congress
vice president becomes president temporarily
what happens if a president is unable to serve because of illness
system of electors
what is the electoral congress
january 20
on what date does the president take office
-foreign affairs
-domestic and military administration
-legislation
-judicial functions
what re the five areas of presidental duties
-the supreme court
-court of appeals
-justice courts
name the three highest federal courts
9
how many judges does the supreme court have
appointed by the president
how are federal judges selected
life long
how long do federal judges serve
how the judicial branch interprets constitutionality of laws
explain what judicial review is and how it affects the constitution
supreme
which court would rule on the constitutionality of a federal court?
cheif justice
what is the title of the supreme court cheif official
requires 38 states
describe 2 ways an amendment may be ratified
states
the stars on the flag stand for..
the president
after a bill has gone through both houses of congress successfully, it is sent to
22nd
which amendment explains that the president may only serve two terms
2
how many senators from each state?
1
each state receieves at least__representative(s) in the US house of reps
the vice president
the president of the senate is the
the president
the united states budget is presented by
-press
-speech
-religion
in the first amendment, we have the freedom of:
electoral college
the vote of what group really decides who will be president
elastic clause
what is described in article 1, section 8 of the constitution giving congress broad powers to write laws about new situations
congress
which body has the power to raise, borrow, and coin money
legislative branch
has two houses
judicial branch
is the court system of our country
legislative branch
makes the laws
executive branch
enforces laws
both the senate and the house
meet in the capitol building
house of reps
elected every two years
house of reps
has 435 members
sentate
approves or rejects treaties
both the senate and the house
passes bills they hope will become laws
senate
has 100 members
attorney general
cheif legal officer
secretary of human services
manages social security
secretary of defense
carries out a war plan
secretary of labor
settles a strike
secretary of state
deals with foreign affairs
secretary of homeland security
deals with secret service