U.S. Constitutional Law – Federalism, Articles, Individual Rights, Amendments Q&A
Federalism
1. What are the three systems of government in the world today? → Unitary, Confederate,
Federalist.
2. What is a Unitary system? → Most power held at the national level. Example: China.
3. What is a Confederate system? → Political subdivisions hold most power; states have equal power.
Example: Switzerland.
4. What is a Federalist system? → Power is shared between national and local governments. Example:
United States.
5. What was the political status of the 13 colonies under British rule? → They were under a unitary
system; colonists felt their rights were violated.
6. What prompted the First Continental Congress? → Protests against taxes, restrictions, and
punitive laws from Britain.
7. What military force did the Patriots establish in 1775? → The Continental Army.
8. What did the Declaration of Independence proclaim in 1776? → The colonies were free and
independent states; King George III’s rule was tyrannical.
9. What were the Articles of Confederation (1781)? → Established a weak federal government; states
retained all power not delegated to the federal government.
10. What powers did Congress have under the Articles of Confederation? → Wage war, conduct
foreign relations, enter treaties, settle disputes between states, appoint President of Congress,
request money from states.
11. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? → Lack of centralized power made governing
unworkable.
12. What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? → Allows Congress to enact laws useful for carrying out
enumerated powers.
13. Do states have general police powers? → Yes, general police power is reserved to the states;
federal police powers are limited.
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, Articles of the Constitution
Article 1 – Legislative Branch
1. What type of legislature is Congress? → Bicameral.
2. House of Representatives – Key Facts:
3. 435 representatives allocated by population.
4. Initiates revenue bills.
5. Power of impeachment.
6. Representatives: ≥25 years old, 7-year citizen, resident of state.
7. Serve 2-year terms.
8. Speaker presides.
9. Senate – Key Facts:
10. 100 Senators, 2 per state.
11. Power to try impeachments.
12. Senators: ≥30 years old, 9-year citizen.
13. Serve 6-year terms; 1/3 elected every 2 years.
14. Vice President presides.
15. Other Congressional Powers: → Immigration, bankruptcy, coin money, patents, counterfeiting,
establishing lower courts, piracy.
Article 2 – Executive Branch
1. Who holds executive power? → The President.
2. President – Qualifications and Term:
3. 35 years old, natural born citizen, 14-year U.S. resident.
4. 4-year term, pay cannot decrease.
5. Commander in Chief of the military.
6. Presidential Powers:
7. Appoints ambassadors, cabinet, federal judges.
8. Makes treaties with Senate consent.
9. Fills Senate vacancies during recess.
10. Convenes Congress in emergencies.
11. Commissions military officers.
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Federalism
1. What are the three systems of government in the world today? → Unitary, Confederate,
Federalist.
2. What is a Unitary system? → Most power held at the national level. Example: China.
3. What is a Confederate system? → Political subdivisions hold most power; states have equal power.
Example: Switzerland.
4. What is a Federalist system? → Power is shared between national and local governments. Example:
United States.
5. What was the political status of the 13 colonies under British rule? → They were under a unitary
system; colonists felt their rights were violated.
6. What prompted the First Continental Congress? → Protests against taxes, restrictions, and
punitive laws from Britain.
7. What military force did the Patriots establish in 1775? → The Continental Army.
8. What did the Declaration of Independence proclaim in 1776? → The colonies were free and
independent states; King George III’s rule was tyrannical.
9. What were the Articles of Confederation (1781)? → Established a weak federal government; states
retained all power not delegated to the federal government.
10. What powers did Congress have under the Articles of Confederation? → Wage war, conduct
foreign relations, enter treaties, settle disputes between states, appoint President of Congress,
request money from states.
11. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? → Lack of centralized power made governing
unworkable.
12. What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? → Allows Congress to enact laws useful for carrying out
enumerated powers.
13. Do states have general police powers? → Yes, general police power is reserved to the states;
federal police powers are limited.
1
, Articles of the Constitution
Article 1 – Legislative Branch
1. What type of legislature is Congress? → Bicameral.
2. House of Representatives – Key Facts:
3. 435 representatives allocated by population.
4. Initiates revenue bills.
5. Power of impeachment.
6. Representatives: ≥25 years old, 7-year citizen, resident of state.
7. Serve 2-year terms.
8. Speaker presides.
9. Senate – Key Facts:
10. 100 Senators, 2 per state.
11. Power to try impeachments.
12. Senators: ≥30 years old, 9-year citizen.
13. Serve 6-year terms; 1/3 elected every 2 years.
14. Vice President presides.
15. Other Congressional Powers: → Immigration, bankruptcy, coin money, patents, counterfeiting,
establishing lower courts, piracy.
Article 2 – Executive Branch
1. Who holds executive power? → The President.
2. President – Qualifications and Term:
3. 35 years old, natural born citizen, 14-year U.S. resident.
4. 4-year term, pay cannot decrease.
5. Commander in Chief of the military.
6. Presidential Powers:
7. Appoints ambassadors, cabinet, federal judges.
8. Makes treaties with Senate consent.
9. Fills Senate vacancies during recess.
10. Convenes Congress in emergencies.
11. Commissions military officers.
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