REQUIRED RESEARCH FROM THE ACTUAL CONSTITUTION AS RATIFIED IN 1788

Article #1: The Legislative Branch

Explain the role of the Legislative branch in government (two words)?

 

Explain how the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives is determined.  How many current (2018) voting seats are there in the U.S. House of Representatives? How many does Maine have in the U.S. House of Representatives?  List and explain the qualifications for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. How long is the term for a member of the U.S. House? According to the Constitution in 1788, who elected members to a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives?  In 2018, who elects members of the U.S. House of Representatives?  What is the title of the official who is the head of the U.S. House of Representatives?  Who currently holds this position in the U.S. House of Representatives?

 

Explain how the number of seats in the U.S. Senate is determined. How long is the term for a member of the Senate? How many current seats are there in the U.S. Senate? How many does the State of Maine have in the U.S. Senate? List and explain the qualifications for a member of the U.S. Senate. How long is the term for a member of the U.S. Senate? According to the Constitution in 1788, who elected members to a seat in the U.S. Senate? In 2018, who elects members of the U.S. Senate? What is the title of the official who is the head of the U.S. Senate? What is the title of the person who fills in for the previous official if he is unavailable? Who currently holds this position in the U.S. Senate?

 

Bills that raise revenue must originate in which legislative house? List and explain the basic steps for a bill to become a law. Explain what a veto is? Explain how a vetoed bill can still become a law.

 

Explain the purpose of the impeachment process and who can be impeached. Explain why a person can be impeached. Articles of impeachment originate in which legislative house? If articles of impeachment are passed, then what is the next step in the impeachment process? Explain how members of the Legislative branch are removed or censured for offenses.

 

List and explain the delegated or expressed powers of the Congress found in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution? Explain in depth what is meant by the “elastic clause” found in Clause 18?

 

Explain the powers denied to Congress found in Article 1, section 9. Be able to define the following terms; writ of habeas corpus, bill of attainder, ex post fact, direct tax and title of nobility. Explain why these terms are important.

 

Briefly explain the powers denied the States in Article 1, section 10 of the Constitution. Are the states sovereign governments, which have supreme authority within their own borders? What powers are denied to the states in regard to foreign nations, domestic trade, maintaining a militia and titles of nobility?

 

 

Article #2: The Executive Branch

 Explain the role of the Executive branch in government (two words)?

 

List and explain the qualifications necessary in order to serve as President of the United States. How long is the term for a President of the United States according to the Constitution?   According to the Constitution as ratified in 1788, how many terms can an individual serve as president? Today in the year 2018?   Explain the process a candidate must go through in order to be elected and become President of the United States.  What is the name of the official who succeeds the president if he is unable to perform his duties?

 

 

Explain how the President of the United States was chosen in 1788? in 2016? Explain how  a president is chosen if no candidate wins a simple majority by the aforementioned method. Explain how a vice-president is chosen if no candidate wins a simple majority by the aforementioned method.

 

 

What are the powers and duties of the President of the United States?   Are treaties made by the Executive branch automatically binding to the United States?   If not, what must be done in order to secure their acceptance?   Are the President’s appointments to government jobs automatically binding?   If not, what must be done in order to secure their acceptance?

 

Explain the purpose of the State of the Union Message?  Explain how a president or vice president can be removed from office?

 

 

Article #3: The Judicial Branch

Explain the role of the judicial branch in government (two words)?

 

List and explain the qualifications to be a Supreme Court Justice? How long is the term for a Supreme Court Justice? Explain how an individual obtains a seat on the Supreme Court?

 

Which court is established in the Constitution? Who has the authority to establish the remaining other federal courts?

 

What is meant by original jurisdiction? Explain in what cases the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction. What is treason? Explain what is meant by “corruption of blood or forfeiture” in regard to attainder of treason.

 

Explain how a federal judge be removed from office?

 

 

Article #4: Relations Among the States

 Explain what is meant by “full faith and credit” as stated in the Constitution Give examples for each of the following; a public act, records and judicial proceeding.

 

Explain what is the extradition? Explain the process for a state’s compliance with extradition.

 

Are the rights of owners who hold persons in service or labor in one state protected from forfeiture of their property if said persons flee to another state? Explain.

 

Who has the authority to admit new states to the union?

 

Who, under the Constitution, controls all public lands in acquired territory?

 

What does the central government of the United States guarantee to the states?

 

 

Article #5: The Amendatory Process

 Explain the two methods in which to amend the Constitution.

 

Article #6: National Debts, Supremacy & Oaths

 Explain the newly formed country’s position on debts incurred before the acceptance of the Constitution. Why?

 

Explain what the “supremacy clause” guarantees. What governmental form does this establish?

 

Upon election or appointment to the national government, what must each officeholder take in order to obtain his or her office? Why?

 

Article #7: Ratification of the Constitution

 How many states must ratify the Constitution for it to become the law of the land? Why is this important?

 

 

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The Bill of Rights

What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution popularly known as? Explain what they collectively protect (two words).

 

What does the First Amendment guarantee?

 

What do the Second, Third & Fourth Amendments guarantee?

 

What does the Fifth Amendment guarantee?

 

What do the Sixth & Seventh Amendments guarantee?

 

What does the Eighth Amendment guarantee?

 

What do the Ninth & Tenth Amendments guarantee?