k,US History
Garis
Name ____________________________
Date _________ Pd __________
US CONSTITUTION TIME!!!
Learning Targets: Students will research and evaluate the different parts of the US Constitution.
Students will analyze specific sections of the US Constitution and make inferences based on
the document.
Please answer the following questions on a SEPARATE piece of paper. Use the following sources to help you:
A. US Constitution and Bill of Rights:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html (make sure that you click “read transcript”)
B. Summary/Explanation of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights:
http://www.usconstitution.net/constquick.html
C. Also use the attached handouts.
D. Feel free to go “old school” and find the US Constitution in your textbook!
Overview
1. Please SUMMARIZE in a couple of words what each of the SEVEN articles of the Constitution will cover. (see
attached)
2. In what part of the Constitution would you find information out about the Legislative Branch? (article
number….)(see attached)
3. In what part of the Constitution would you find information out about the Executive Branch? (see attached)
4. In what part of the Constitution would you find information out about the Judicial Branch? (see attached)
Bill of Rights
(go to http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html scroll down to bottom right corner—Bill of Rights)
5. The first ten amendments of the Constitution were known as the:
Bill of Rights
6. When were they adopted? 1789
7. Has the Constitution ever been changed since it was written? Yes How do you know? Has 27 Amendments
8. Was the Bill of Rights part of the original Constitution?
No: They were added after states demanded that individual rights be protected.
9. What amendment gives women the right to vote? 19th
10. Write down the first ten amendments and an explanation of each in your own words.
Amendment I
Freedom of religion, press, speech and petition.
Amendment 2
The right to bear arms
Amendment 3
Soldiers shall not be quartered in private homes
Amendment 4
Protection against unreasonable search and seizure. Search warrants must be obtained by presenting
evidence of suspicions and specific to what is being searched for.
Amendment 5
Indictment by a grand jury is necessary for federal crimes
Cannot be tried for the same crime twice
Cannot be required to testify against oneself (“Pleading the 5th)
Private property may not be taken with proper compensation (imminent domain)
Amendment 6
The right to a speedy and public trial in Criminal Cases
Trial by a jury of your peers by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been
committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law
Must be informed of the cause of the accusation
Right to a defense
Amendment 7
Right to a jury by trial in Civil lawsuits
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others
retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are
reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
11. (Art. V) Can new amendments be added to the US Constitution? Yes If so, how? Amendments may originate in
the Legislature or the states. Need 2/3 Vote of both houses of Congress and 2/3 of State Legislatures
Preamble (see attached)
12. What was the purpose of the Preamble? To introduce the purpose of the Constitution
Legislative Branch
(Go to websites)
13. (Art 1. Sect. 1) What is the main body of the Legislative Branch? Congress
14. (Art. 1 Sect. 1) What two houses is the Legislative Branch made up of? Senate and House of Representatives
15. The Legislative Branch ________Makes________the law.
House of Representatives (Go to websites)
16. (Art. 1 Sect. 2) How many members of the House of Representatives are there? 435
17. (Art. 1 Sect. 2) What determines how many members of the House there are? States’ population
18. (Art. 1 Sect. 2) How often are members of the House chosen? Every 2 years
19. (Art. 1 Sect. 2) How long is their term? 2 years
20. (Art. 1 Sect. 2) How is the number of representatives per state decided upon? 1 per every 40,000 citizens
21. (Art. 1 Sect. 2 and Sect 7) What responsibilities are unique to the House of Representatives? Bills of Revenue
must originate in the House (tax bills), power of impeachment, elect the President if the Electoral College fails to
22. (Art. 1 Sect. 2) What are the qualifications for becoming a member of the House of Representatives? 25 years
old, 7 year resident of the United States, resident of the state they represent
Senate (Go to websites)
23. (Art. 1 Sect. 3) How many members of the Senate are there? 100
24. (Art. 1 Sect. 3) What determines how many members of the Senate there are? Equal for all states
25. (Art. 1 Sect. 3) How often are members of the Senate chosen? 1/3 chosen every 2 years
26. (Art. 1 Sect. 3) How long is a Senator’s term? 6 years
27. (Art. 1 Sect. 3) How many are elected at a time? 1/3
28. (Art. 1 Sect. 3) What responsibilities are unique to the Senate? Try impeachments, approve appointments to the
Judicial Branch and high office, ratify treaties
29. (Art. 1 Sect. 3) What are the qualifications for becoming a member of the Senate? 30 years old, resident of US
for 9 years, resident of state they represent
How a Bill Becomes Law (Go to websites)
30. (Art. 1 Sect. 7) Does the passing of a bill by both the Senate and the House allow it to become a law? NO Why or
why not? President can veto
31. (Art. 1 Sect. 7) What can Congress do when it has heard that the President has vetoed a bill? Override veto with
2/3 vote of both houses
Powers to Congress (Go to websites)
32. (Art. 1 Sect. 8) Identify and explain EIGHT powers granted to Congress. (Go back and review)
33. (Art. 1 Sect. 8) Look at the last power granted Congress: This is known as the necessary and proper clause, what
does it mean? Congress change the Constitution when necessary for the times (Elastic Clause)
Powers Denied Congress (Go to websites)
34. (Art. 1 Sect. 9) Identify and explain the powers denied congress:
 Ex post facto law: Prosecuting someone for doing something legally after it has become illegal
 Nobility: no kings or queens allowed!
 Habeas corpus: must hear charges against you within a reasonable amount of time
 Bill of Attainder: must have proper judicial process before being punished for a crime
 Taxes: No direct taxes (i.e. property taxes)
 Poll taxes: cannot charge $$ to vote
Powers Forbidden States (Go to websites)
35. (Art. 1 Sect. 10) Identify and explain three examples of powers denied states.
* May not change state boundaries
* May not enter into treaties with other countries
* May not print money
Executive Branch (Go to websites)
36. (Art. II Sect. 1) The main officers of the executive branch are: President, Vice-President, Cabinet
37. The executive branch _____enforces________________ the law.
38. (Art. II Sect. 1) How many terms or years may a President serve? 2 terms or 10 years
39. (Art. II Sect. 1) How long is a President’s term? 4 years
40. (Art. II Sect. 1) What are the necessary qualifications to become President? 35 years old, natural born citizen, 14
years resident of the United States
41. (Art. II Sect. 1) How can a President become impeached?
 House’s role: investigates and accuses (impeaches)
 Senate’s role: conducts the impeachment trial
42. (Art. II Sect. 1) Who elects the President? Electoral College
43. (Art. II Sect. 1) The number of people in the Electoral College is determined by? States’ population
44. (Art. II Sect. 2) Identify and explain FOUR powers granted to the President.
Veto Bills, appoint judges, commander in chief of the armed forces, issue pardons, etc.
Judicial Branch (Go to websites)
45. (Art. II Sect. 2) Who appoints new members of the Supreme Court? President
46. The judicial branch ___interprets______________________ the law.
47. (Art. III Sect. I) What are the qualifications required for becoming a Supreme Court justice? None
48. (Art. III Sect. I) How long are the terms of Supreme Court Justices? Life or good behavior
Other (Go to websites)
49. (Art. VI) What is the supreme law of the land? The Constitution
Checks and Balances (See attached)
50. What was the purpose of the idea of “checks and balances”? To keep one branch of government from becoming
too powerful.
51. Provide two examples of checks and balances for each of the three branches of government: (hint: total = 6)(hint
legislative, judicial, executive)
REVIEW THESE!