Examine the Constitution
The best way to learn about the Constitution is to actually read it! It's short. It's important. Although it is very deep, it is also not hard to read.
The Constitution of the United States of America http://constitutioncenter.org/constitution/full-text
A copy of the Constitution with explanation http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm
Use the Constitution to complete the following outline
The Preamble to the Constitution
The Preamble describes purpose of establishing the Constitution and describes the responsibilities of our government.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Bonus questions regarding the preamble are found at the end of this assignment.
List the function of each Article
Article I: __________________________________________________
Article II: __________________________________________________
Article III: __________________________________________________
Article IV: __________________________________________________
Article V: ___________________________________________________
Article VI: __________________________________________________
Article VII: __________________________________________________
Article I The Legislative Branch
What are the qualifications for members of the House of Representatives?
1.
2.
3.
What are the qualifications for members of the Senate?
1.
2.
3.
List some of the powers or responsibilities of the members of Congress
House of Representatives
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
The Senate
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
Both Houses of Congress
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________
7. ________________________________________________
What title is given to the leader of the House of Representatives? __________________________ __________
What other title/position does the President of the Senate hold? _________________________ ____________
List five powers that are denied to Congress by the Constitution.
1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________
List five powers that are denied to the States by the Constitution.
1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________
Article II The Executive Branch
What is the function of the Electoral College? __________________________
What formula is used to determine how many electors each state will have?
What are the qualifications for the president?
1.
2.
3.
List five Powers or Duties of the President as described in the Constitution.
1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________
Under what circumstances can the president be removed from office?
1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
Article III The Judicial Branch
What is the term of a federal judge? _________________________________ Under what circumstances does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction? _______________________________________________________________ Describe the process through which a federal judge gets his or her position. _______________________________________________________________ What is the definition of Treason?___________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Describe the following requirements of each position; Minimum Age, Years a Citizen, Term of Office
President
House of Representative
Senate
Supreme Court
Article IV Relations among the States
What is extradition? ____________________________________________________________
What branch of government admits new states? ______________________________________
What is meant by the term: republican form of government?
Article V Amendment Procedures
Describe the process by which the Constitution is amended.
Article VI Supremacy of the Constitution
What is the ‘Supreme law of the land’? ____________________________ ____________________________
What does that phrase mean?
How does the concept “Supreme law of the land” apply to everyday issues; please include an example to clarify your statement.
Article VII Ratification
How many states must ratify the Constitution in order for it to be adopted?__________
Bonus explain each phrase found in the Preamble
A. WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, __________________________________________________________
B. IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION
__________________________________________________________
C. ESTABLISH JUSTICE
__________________________________________________________
D. INSURE DOMESTIC TRANQUILITY
__________________________________________________________
E. PROVIDE FOR THE COMMON DEFENCE
__________________________________________________________
F. PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE
_________________________________________________________
G. SECURE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY
_________________________________________________________
H. TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY
________________________________________________________
I. DO ORDAIN AND ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA _________________________________________________________