The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution

Directions: Using Chapter Two of your text as a reference and the U.S. Constitution (found on pages 64-93 of your text), answer the following questions. You must use complete sentences!!!

PREAMBLE:

1) What is the significance of the words "We the people..."?

The words we the people show that the government is composed of the people and for the people. Those in power create and adjust the laws for the best interest of the people.

2) According to the Preamble, what are the goals of the U.S. Government?

The goals of the US government are to establish justice, keep peace, defend from assailants, promote the common good, and establish a near perfect union for the benefit of all those under the constitution.

ARTICLE I. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH:

House of Representatives:

1) What is the length of one term?

The length of one term is two years.

2) What are the qualifications to be elected?

The qualifications to be elected include: 25 years of age, 7 years citizenship, as well as be an inhabitant of the state in which he will be elected.

3) What is the title of the highest official in the House?

The highest official in the house is the Speaker of the House.

4) What is the apportionment for each state? (How many reps. Per # of people)

The apportionment for each state is one representative for every 30,000 people.

Senate:

1) What is the length of one term?

The length of one term in the Senate is six years.

2) What are the qualifications to be elected?

The qualifications to be elected includes: 30 years of age, nine years a citizen, and a inhabitant of the state they are running for.

3) What is the title of the highest official in the Senate?

The highest official in the Senate is the Vice President.

4) What is the apportionment for each state?

The apportionment for each state is two senators per state.

5) What are some important rules of procedure?

Immediately after election, the senators are split into three equal classes in which the first class is up for election at the expiration of the second year, the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third class at the expiration of the sixth year.

6) What are some of the privileges members of congress enjoy?

Members of Congress are free from arrest except for treason, felony, and breach of the peace.

7) List the eight important enumerated powers.

Collect taxes, provide for the common defense, to borrow money on the credit of the US, the regulate commerce abroad, to establish a uniform rule of naturalization, to coin money, provide for the counterfeiting federal documents, to establish post offices and roads.

8) What is the "necessary and proper clause"? Why is it also known as the "elastic clause"?

The necessary and proper clause gives congress the ability to establish laws that are necessary for the wellbeing of the US. It can be broadly interpreted or strictly interpreted giving it the title of the elastic clause.

9) What relationships are there between congress and the states concerning restrictions on power?

States cannot without the consent of Congress, tax imports or exports, as well as law any Duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State/foreign power or engage in war.

10) What are the only references to slavery in the Constitution?

The only references to slavery is in Article 1, Section 2, clause 3, which lays the three fifths clause.

11) What are ex post facto laws and what does the Constitution say about them?

Ex post facto laws literally mean "from after the action". They change the legal consequences of actions committed before the enactment of the certain law. The Constitution prevents States from enacting them.

12) What are bills of attainder and what does the Constitution say about them?

Bills of attainder declare people guilty of a crime without the benefit of a fair trial. The Constitution does not allow the States to pass them.

13) What is a writ of habeas corpus and why is it important?

The writ of habeas corpus prevents an individual from being detained without any reason. It prevents the government of holding people in jail without some sort of evidence regarding the crimes he or she had committed.

ARTICLE II. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH:

President and Vice-President:

1) What is the length of the term of office for each?

The length of one term for the President and the Vice President is four years.

2) How do you determine the number of electors per state?

The number of electors is determined by adding the total number of Senators and Representatives a state has.

3) When are Presidential elections held?

It is up to Congress to determine what day the Presidential election is held.

4) What are the qualifications for holding the office?

The qualifications