Chapter 4 Study Guide
1. What does the phrase “insure domestic Tranquility” mean?
The government would establish peace and order in the nation
2. What was the purpose of the Preamble to the Constitution?
To set out the goals of the national government formed by the
constitution
3. Why is it significant that this preamble begins with "We the People"?
To signify that the power and authority in this nation comes from
the people
4. Which branch of government does Article I explain?
Legislative Branch
5. What are the qualifications to be a member of the House of
Representatives?
Must be resident of the state he/she represents, 25 years or older,
U.S. citizen for at least 7 years.
6. According to the Three-Fifths Compromise, included in Article I, three
fifths of which group counted toward a state's population?
Slave population
7. Which governing body has the power to impeach officials?
House of Representatives
8. What does Article VI say about the issue of debts incurred under the
Articles of Confederation?
The new government under the Constitution would consider those
debts valid and would pay them
9. What does it mean that the Constitution is the supreme "Law of the
Land"?
When state laws conflict with federal laws, the federal law will
win
10. What do Senators and Representatives need to do in order to take office?
Take an oath swearing their allegiance to the constitution
11. According to the First Amendment, how may Congress address the issue
of religion?
Congress cannot declare any official religion and must let citizens
practice their religion freely
12. What does the Third Amendment say about the quartering of soldiers?
Soldiers need the owners permission to be quartered in citizen’s
homes during peacetime
13. Which amendment protects citizens against the unlawful search or
seizure of private property by police or other authorities?
Fourth amendment
14. According to the Fifth Amendment, when can private property be taken
for public use?
After a fair payment is made to the owner
15. When the Twenty-sixth Amendment was ratified, which group gained the
right to vote?
Adults between the ages of 18 and 20
16. Until the passage of the Twenty-third Amendment, which Americans
could not vote in presidential elections?
Residents of the District of Columbia
17. What are the six guiding principles of the Constitution?
Rule of Law, Popular Sovereignty, Independent Judiciary,
Separation of powers/checks and balances, Federalism
18. Which article of the Constitution defines the responsibilities of the
Executive branch?
Article two
19. Which guiding principle gives the power of the government to the
people?
Popular Sovereignty
20.This guiding principle states that no one is above the law.
Rule of Law
21.
What is due process of law?
the principle that people accused of a crime must be granted
certain legal rights
22.
Why did the framers of the Constitution create three separate
branches of government?
To keep an one group from gaining too much power
23.
The first words of the Constitution indicate that power and authority
in our system of government come from who?
people
24.
Over time, constitutional amendments have extended which right to
the following groups: African Americans
, Women
, Residents of the
District of Columbia, 18-year-olds?
The right to vote
25.
The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution indicates how to resolve
conflicts between what two things?
State and federal laws
26.
How is the process of checks and balances used in the making of
treaties?
Treaties suggested by the House of Representatives require the
approval of the
Senate
27.
How did the decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) strengthen the
power of the Supreme Court?
It established the Court’s right to declare an act of congress
unconstitutional
28.
The process of amending the Constitution involves what two
groups/parties?
The Congress and the States
29.
How is power divided in our federal government?
Between the national and state government
30.
Why did the framers of the constitution write the words “We the
People” so much larger than the rest of the Preamble
They wanted to make clear that the power of our national
government comes from the people