Explain the significance of the following terms from Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution as they relate to Congress: The Elastic Clause Congress can make all laws which are “necessary and proper” for them to carry out their enumerated powers.
Explain the significance of the following terms from Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution as they relate to Congress: Declaration of War: A power granted to congress
Explain the significance of the following terms from Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution as they relate to Congress: Habeas Corpus: A writ of habeas corpus is the demand to see someone who has been arrested. This law says that people cannot be held in prison without being charged for a crime.
Explain the significance of the following terms from Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution as they relate to Congress: Ex Post Facto law: A law that punishes a person for an act that was legal when it was performed. Congress can’t do this!
Article 2: The Executive (the Presidency) The Executive enforces the laws.
What is the official title of person in charge of the executive branch? How often is this person elected What are the qualifications for holding this office? Who takes over if this person dies or is removed from office? What are the specific POWERS listed of the person? What other duties are mentioned for this person? President Every 4 years -At least 35 years old -Natural Born Citizen -Has lived in the US for 14 years Vice President Commander in Chief of the military, power to make treaties and appoint ambassadors and judges, power to fill all vacancies that happen while the senate is in recess State of the Union address, Call special sessions of congress, receive ambassadors and other public ministers.
What is the name for the chief group of advisors to the Chief Executive? The Cabinet
What is the Electoral College? A group selected by the states to elect the president and vice president How is the number of electors for each state determined? The number of electors is equal to the number of senators for the state plus the number of representatives
What is impeachment? The process of accusing a public official of wrongdoing What types of crimes can a president be convicted of that would result in his removal from office? Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors
ARTICLE 3: The Judiciary _Interprets__ the laws What court is specifically created in the text of the Constitution? The Supreme Court How many judges sit on the Supreme Court? 9 What crime is specifically mentioned in Article 3? What does it mean? Treason- It means committing a crime against one’s country What is judicial review and why is it so important? A court passing judgment on the constitutionality of a law or government action that is being disputed.
Article 4: Relations Among States What sort of “full faith and credit” is being talked about in Article 4, section 1? It means all documents and court judgments made in one state are valid in the others (ex. Driver’s licenses, marriage licenses) Can a person escape criminal charges by fleeing to another state? What section explains this? No (extradition) It’s in Article 4, section 2 What body of government can admit new states to the Union? Congress What guarantees does Section 4 make to the States? A republican form of government and protection against invasion
1788: U.S. Constitution ratified. Elections for the first President and the first Vice President are held. 1789: First Congress under the Constitution meets in New York. George Washington inaugurated as first President of the U.S.A. 1791: First 10 amendments to the Constitution (the Bill of Rights) are adopted.
Article 5: Amending the Constitution What does it mean “to amend?” To change, to add something or take something away What is the process for amending the Constitution? 2/3 of both houses of Congress can call a meeting to amend the Constitution OR 2/3 of State Legislatures In order to make an amendment: ¾ of state legislatures MUST vote for the change
Article 6: Supremacy of the National Government In your own words, explain what is being said about the Constitution in section 2 of Article 6? The Constitution is the highest law in the land. No state laws can go against it.
Article 7: Ratification What does it mean “to ratify?” To Approve How many states were required to ratify the Constitution in order to establish it as the law of the land? NINE