What is the structure of the U. S. Constitution?

1. What is the structure of the U. S. Constitution? The Constitution contains a Preamble, 7 articles, and 27 Amendments.

2. What principles are reflected in the U. S. Constitution? The principles include limited government, federalism, separation of powers in to three branches of government, checks and balances, and individual rights.

3. What is the structure of the national government? The national government is composed of three branches: -the legislative branch (Congress) -the judicial branch (court system) -the executive branch (Presidency)

4. How is the U. S. Congress structured and what are its powers? The Congress is composed of two part: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress gets its powers from the enumerated powers in Article 1 Section 8.

5. How is the executive branch structured and what are its powers? The executive branch consists of the president and the vice president, the president’s cabinet, and other regulatory agencies that enforce laws.

6. How is the judiciary structured and what are its powers? The judiciary consists of a Supreme Court and state courts. The Supreme Court can determine what federal laws mean and can overturn them if they are unconstitutional. Each state has its own supreme court, which interprets that state’s constitution and laws.

7. How do the three branches share, check, and balance power? Each branch has governmental powers that are unique to them. Congress can pass bills, President can sign them into law, judiciary (Supreme Court) can rule the law unconstitutional. President nominates judges but must be approved by the Senate as do treaties entered into and signed by the President. Congress can also override a veto and impeach a President.

8. What is the process for amending the Constitution? There are two ways to amend it. The first way is to propose an amendment by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate. The second way is to propose an amendment by having two-thirds of the states ask Congress to call a convention to debate and then vote on the proposed amendment. After proposal, Congress chooses one of the two methods for ratifying it. The legislatures in three-fourths of the states can ratify it, or the states can hold special conventions and then three-fourths of the conventions approve it.

9. What rights are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights? -the freedom to worship as one pleases -freedom of speech -freedom of press -the right to bear arms -the right to not shelter soldiers -the right to privacy -the right to not incriminate oneself when accused of a crime -the right to a speedy trial by a jury -the right to a jury trial in federal courts to settle disputes about property worth more than $20 -the right not to have excessive bail

10. How have amendments changed the Constitution? Amendments have changed the Constitution structurally. They have extended more power to government, and individual rights have been extended.

11. How has our understanding of the Constitution changed over time? Modern presidents often conduct foreign affairs by executive agreement rather than treaty, as specified in the Constitution. Presidents also request legislation more aggressively than in the past. Courts have also interpreted the Constitution differently over the years. For example, “separate but equal” facilities for African Americans were once deemed constitutional, but are not longer thought to be so.

12. How does the structure of state governments compare to the federal government? Like the federal government. Every state government has three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial.

13. How does the process for amending state constitutions compare to that of the U. S. Constitution? There are multiple methods for amending state constitutions. The methods vary from state to state.

14. What are the expressed powers and implied powers of the national government? Expressed powers are those powers granted to the government in the Constitution. Implied powers are those powers granted to the government to make laws to carry out the expressed powers.

15. Why does the Constitution divide power between the national and state governments? The Constitution does this because the national government is based on the concept of federalism, a system in which the power is divided between the national and state governments.

16. How does the Constitution divide power between the national and state governments? The Constitution gives the national government certain specified powers. All other powers are reserved to the states or to the people.

17. What does the national government guarantee to the state governments? The national government guarantees every state a democratic form of government and will protect each state from invasion as well as against domestic violence. The national government also will respect territorial integrity of each state.

18. What obligations do the state governments have to the national government? State and local governments conduct and pay for elections of all national government officials and play a key role in the process of amending the Constitution, as three-fourths of the states must approve an amendment.

19. What role has the Supreme Court played in settling disputes between the federal and state governments? The Supreme Court has held that when the national government and a state government come into conflict, the national government is supreme.

20. What does extradite mean? Why does the Constitution require states to comply with the extradition requests from other states? Extradite means to return to a state a criminal or fugitive who flees across state lines. Under the Constitution, states must honor other states’ laws and court orders, even if their own laws are different.

21. Under federalism, what powers are held by state governments? State governments have the power to regulate and promote business, protecting life and property, promoting education, health, and welfare. States also protect the environment, and have the freedom to settle its own laws, regulations, taxes, criminal codes, and budget priorities.

22. How do states cooperate and resolve conflicts with one another? States may enter into an interstate compact, which is a written agreement approved by Congress.

23. What are different political parties’ views on the proper balance of power between national and state governments? Republican Party members, Tea Party members, and Libertarians believe the Constitution sets clear limits on the power of the national government. The Democratic Party members and progressives believe that the Constitution confirms the Founders’ belief in the need for a strong national government.

24. Why does federalism increase opportunities for political participation? Federalism allows a citizen to choose to run for local office, to lobby the state government, or to campaign for a candidate for national office.