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THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
OK--what is
this, a worksheet in college????
Sure enough, unfortunately, some
students have completed high school without reading this document
which is the foundation of our society and is the foundation of the
worldwide democratic movement. So let us read, analyze and
internalize the content of this document.
Answer
all the questions below based on the actual words in the
Constitution as ratified in 1788. In some cases, your
interpretation will be required.
The following web
sites present the United States Constitution in various ways. visit
each site and select the version which will enable you to "cut and
paste" some of the exact quotations required. MLA citations NOT
Required.
The
Constitution: (The Avalon Project)
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/usconst.htm
The
Constitution: (Emory School of Law)
http://www.law.emory.edu/FEDERAL/usconst.html
The
Constitution: (House of Representatives)
http://www.house.gov/Constitution/Constitution.html
(USE FOR
QUESTIONS 14 AND 15) Constitutions of the World
World
Constitutions
(my favorite)
http://confinder.richmond.edu/
National Constitutions
http://www.constitution.org/cons/natlcons.htm
Constitutional Laws of Nations
http://www.chanrobles.com/worldconstitutions.htm
1.
According to the
Preamble, what are the six purposes cited for creation of the
Constitution of the United States?
2. Article I
created a legislative branch of the federal government with a House
of Representatives and Senate.
This question is
related to the House of Representatives:
a. What is the
length of a representative's term of office?
b. How many
terms may they serve?
c. How are
representatives chosen?
d. What are the
three qualifications a person must meet to become a representative?
e. How are the
number of representatives per state determined and what is the
ratio?
3. Article I:
House of Representatives (continued).
In determining
representation from each state:
a. How are
slaves and Native Americans to be enumerated?
b. How often is
the enumeration to be conducted?
c. Assuming that
the original "ratio" was in effect, based on Census 2000, how many
representatives would be in the House?
d. Article I,
Section 2, Clause 5 cites: "The House of Representatives...shall
have the sole Power of Impeachment"--List the two Presidents of the
United States who have been impeached.
4. Article I:
The Senate
a. What is the
length of a senator's term of office?
b. How many
terms may they serve?
c. How are
senators chosen?
d. What are the
three qualifications a person must meet to become a senator?
e. How are the
number of senators per state determined?
5. Article I:
The Senate (continued)
a. Who is the
President of the Senate--Can the person cast a vote?
b. What is the
role of the Senate as related to impeachment?
c. Assuming all
members of today's Senate were involved in the vote, how many votes
would be required for a guilty verdict?
d. What is the
punishment for impeachment?
6. Article I:
Sections 6 -8
a. Explain the
origin and passage of revenue bills.
b. How does a
bill become a law? Include the role of the President and the
Legislative Override.
c. List Six of
the most significant Congressional powers enumerated in Section 8
and explain your selections.
d. Explain the
content and significance of Article I, Section 8, Clause 18.
7. Article I:
Sections 9-10:
Explain:
a. Writ of
Habeas Corpus
b. Bill of
Attainder
c. Ex Post Facto
laws
d. List three
actions/powers prohibited to the states.
8. Article II
a. What branch
of government is created in this Article?
b. What is the
length of a President's term in office?
c. How many
terms can the President serve according to the original
Constitution?
d. How is the
President chosen? (Try to the best of your ability--You may wish to
use another source to explain this process)
e. What are the
qualifications a person must meet to become President?
9. Article II:
(continued)
a. Cite the
"Oath of Office.
b. List four
powers of the President.
c. What general
crimes are listed as impeachable offenses?
10. Article III:
a. What branch
of government was created by this article?
b. How many
members constitute the Supreme Court according to the Constitution?
c. How long is a
Supreme Court Justice's term of office?
d. Define
original AND appellate jurisdiction.
e. Explain the
meaning/significance of Article III, Section 2, Clause 3
f. How does the
Constitution define "Treason"?
11. Article IV:
a. Explain the
meaning and significance of Article IV, Section I.
b. Discuss the
concept cited in Article IV, Section 2, Clause 2. What do we call
it today?
c. What does
Article IV, Section 4 guarantee to each state?
d. What is a
"Republican Form of Government"?
12. Article V
and VI:
a. In what two
ways can amendments to the Constitution be proposed?
b. In what two
ways can amendments to the Constitution be ratified?
c. Explain the
significance of Article VI, Clause 2.
d. According to
Article VI, Clause 3--what can never be used as a requirement for
public office in the United States?
13. Why was the
Bill of Rights attached to the original Constitution?
14. FOREIGN
CONSTITUTION: Select a Constitution from the web site mentioned
above. Cut and paste THREE SIMILARITIES including "Country Chosen"
and Article, Section, Clause of each selection (Provide an
explanation if necessary).
15. FOREIGN
CONSTITUTION: Select a Constitution from the web site mentioned
above (same as question 14 or different). Cut and paste THREE
DIFFERENCES including "Country Chosen" and Article, Section, Clause
of each selection (Provide an explanation if necessary). Clause of
each selection (Provide an explanation if necessary).
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