Citizenship and the ConstitutionCHAPTER 6

Section 1Essential Question:

How does the U.S. Constitution protect against the abuse of government power?

Section 11. What were the two main goals of the Constitution’s framers?

The framers of the Constitution wanted to create a government powerful enough to protect the rights of citizens and defend the country against its enemies.

Section 12. What is the federal system?

The federal system is a system that divides powers between the states and the federal government.

Section 13. What is the function of Congress in the federal government?

The first branch of government is the legislative branch, or Congress. It makes the nation’s laws.

Section 14. What determines how many members represent each state in the House of Representatives?

The U. S. Census, a population count made every 10 years determines how many members represent each state.

Section 15. What is the Vice Presidents role in the legislative branch?

The U.S. vice president serves as president of the Senate. He takes no part in Senate debates but can vote to break ties.

Section 16. What does it mean to impeach a president?

The House of Representatives can impeach or vote to bring charges of serious crimes against a president.

Section 17. How does the president check the power of the legislative branch?

The president can veto laws.

Section 18. What is an executive order?

An executive order command has the power of law.

Section 19.  What role does the Constitution assign to the judicial branch?

The judicial branch interprets the law.

Section 110. On what grounds can a federal court strike down a state or federal law?

Federal courts can strike down a state or federal law if the court finds a law unconstitutional.

Section 111. Why are federal judges appointed for life?

In effort to keep federal judges free of party influence, the judges are given life appointments.

Section 112. What made James Madison an important person in American History?

Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution.

Section 2Essential Question:

How does the Bill of Rights protect individual freedoms and rights?

Section 21. Who drafted the list of the proposed constitutional amendments that became the Bill of Rights?

Federalist James Madison promised that a bill of rights would be added to the Constitution.

Section 22. According to the idea of majority rule, whose decisions make policy for everyone?

Majority rule is the idea that the greatest number of people in society can make policies for everyone.

Section 23. To show government their dissatisfaction with a law or suggest new laws, the American people have the right to ____.

The right to petition, or make a request of government. This right lets Americans show dissatisfaction with a law. They can also suggest new laws.

Section 24. Opponents of gun-control laws argue that the Second Amendment was intended to protect what rights?

Opponents hold that the amendment was meant to protect an individual’s right of self-defense.

Section 25. Which abuse inspired the inclusion in the Bill of Rights of the Fourth amendment rule against “unreasonable searches and seizures”?

British leaders forced colonist to submit to having their property searched for illegal goods.

Section 26. What is due process?

Due process means that the law must be fairly applied.

Section 27. What is double jeopardy?

Double jeopardy means a person cannot be tried again for the same crime.

Section 28. What is eminent domain?

Eminent domain is the power to take personal property to benefit the public.

Section 19. What is the purpose of bail?

The purpose of bail is to allow people to avoid staying in jail during a trial.

Amendment Rights 1.

Right to freedom of religion, speech, and the press; rights of assembly and petition

2. Right to Bear Arms 3. Right to refuse housing of soldiers

4.

Right to freedom of unreasonable search and seizure; must have arrest warrants

5.

Rights not to testify against oneself; Right not to lose life, liberty, or property without due process of law; the right to be paid for private property taken for public use; the right not to be put on trial twice for the same crime

6.

Right to a speedy and fair trial; Right to a public trial; right to know the witnesses against oneself; Right to a lawyer; Right to know the charges on which one is being held; the right to obtain witnesses in one’s defense

7. Right to trial by jury

8. Right to no excessive bail nor excessive fines imposed: no cruel and unusual punishments inflicted

9. Rights not listed in the Bill of Rights are retained by the people; Right to an education*Allows Courts and Congress to decide other basic rights of citizens

10. Confirms that the states or the people retain all powers not given to the national governmentThe right of states to determine the rules for marriages, divorces, driving licenses, voting, state taxes, job and school requirements, rules for police and fire departments, and many more

Essay: The Constitution allows for the removal of a president from office. What does this fact tell you about the system on which American government is based?

Essay: You have been arrested for stealing a neighbors bicycle. What rights will you use to defend yourself ?