CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT KEY Article I- Legislative Branch 1. How often are representatives elected? Every 2 years 2. What are the 3 requirement listed for House members? a. At least 25 yrs. old b. US citizen for at least 7 yrs. c. Resident of the state in which they’re elected 3. Who is the presiding officer of the House? Speaker of the House 4. The House has the sole power of impeachment. 5. How long is the term for a Senator? 6 yrs. 6. How were Senators originally chosen? Which amendment changed that? th - They were chosen by the State legislatures – 17 Amendment (Senators are now elected by the people) 7. What are the 3 requirements listed for members of the Senate? a. At least 30 yrs. old b. US citizen for at least 9 yrs. c. Resident of the state in which they’re elected 8. Who is the president of the Senate and when may that person vote? Vice-President – votes when there is a tie 9. Which legislative body has the power to try an impeached official? The Senate 10. Who shall officiate when the President is tried for impeachment? Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 11. What is the required vote that is necessary to convict someone who has been impeached? 2/3 vote (66 out of 100) 12. What is the only penalty that can be imposed on someone who is impeached? - Removal from office and disqualification from holding another federal position 13. Who decides the times, places, and manner for holding elections for Congress? - The State Legislatures, but Congress can overrule state election laws 14. What is the salary of members of Congress today? - As of 2012, the base salary for all members of the U.S. House and Senate is $174,000 per year, plus benefits. Both houses of Congress have not raised member salaries since 2009. 15. Congressmen are protected from arrest while in session, except under what three conditions? 1. Treason 2. Felony 3. Breach of the peace 16. In what federal body do all bills concerning taxes/revenue originate? House of Representatives 17. What fraction of both houses must vote to override a veto? 2/3 vote of each house (House of Representatives and the Senate) 18. What happens when a president does not return a bill in 10 days and what is the exception to that rule? - Bill automatically becomes a law - Exception is that if Congress is adjourned (not in session during those 10 days), the bill then dies (known as a pocket veto)
CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT KEY 19. In Section 8, the Constitution list or enumerates the powers of Congress. List 6 of them. a – lay and collect taxes b – borrow money c – regulate foreign and interstate commerce (trade) d – establish naturalization laws/laws on bankruptcy e – coin and regulate the value of money f – punish counterfeiting g – establish post offices and post roads h – pass copyright and patent laws i – establish a federal court system j – protect people (against piracies and felonies) committed on the high seas (Coast Guard) k – declare war, grant letters of Marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water l – raise and support Armies m – provide and maintain a Navy n – make rules for the armed forces o – create a militia (national guard) to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions p – create rules governing the national guard q – make laws for Washington, D.C. r – make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the above powers 20. In Section 8, which clause gives Congress the most general, non-specific powers? The Elastic Clause (“Necessary and Proper” Clause) a. Why has this clause been nicknamed the “elastic clause?” - It allows Congress to make laws it needs to carry out its own powers 21. In Section 9, clause 2-3, there are three limitations on the power of Congress to deny the people rights. What are those three limitations? (define each of these as well—look up in index if necessary) a. No Writ of Habeas Corpus – Gov’t can’t hold someone in custody without reasonable evidence, cause or reason for holding them b. No Bills of Attainder - Government cannot find a person guilty of a crime and punish him or her without a trial c. No Ex Post Facto Law - Government can’t (after the fact) punish a person for committing an act that was legal at the time it was originally committed (ex. Person smokes weed which used to be legal, but has since become illegal. He can’t be charged for the act during the time when it was still considered legal) 22. When may the writ of habeas corpus be suspended? During times of war (invasion/rebellion) 23. Name three limits on the powers of the states (section 10) a. Can’t enter into any treaty/alliance, etc., (conduct foreign affairs) b. Can’t grant letters of Marque and reprisal c. Can’t coin money d. Can’t use tender aside from gold/silver for payment of debt e. Can’t pass any bills of attainder/ex post facto law, or grant any title of nobility f. Can’t levy taxes on imports/exports without consent of Congress g. Can’t keep troops or war ships in time of peace h. Can’t enter into any agreement with another state or foreign power, or engage in war unless invaded/in imminent danger .
Article II- Executive Branch 24. How old does someone have to be to be elected President? 35 yrs old. 25. How are the number of electors each state gets determined? Add up total number of senators and representatives from each state 26. What are the requirements for President and VP? Both must be: * a natural-born US citizen * at least 35 yrs. old * a US resident for at least 14 yrs.
CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT KEY 27. What is the oath that the President must say upon entering the position? –write it all out! - "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." 28. Name 3 Powers of the President. a. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces b. Nominate the head of each executive department c. Grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the US (except in cases of impeachment) d. Make treaties (with advice and consent of the Senate) e. Appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, Supreme Court judges, and all other officers of the US (with advice and consent of the Senate) f. May fill vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate 29. Name the body of Congress that must approve a treaty that the President has negotiated and the fraction of the vote they must approve it by. - Senators – 2/3 vote 30. Which body of Congress approves nominations, in other words “advices and consents?” The Senate 31. What must the President do “from time to time”? --what is this called today? - President must “from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." - This is called the State of the Union Address 32. What can a President or other officers be impeached for? Treason, bribery, or other high crimes/misdemeanors
Article III - Judicial Branch 33. What is the term of office for Supreme Court justices? When can they be removed? - Term of office is for life (so long as they maintain good behavior) or until they retire or resign from office - Can be removed from office when they’ve been impeached 34. Who gets to decide how many federal courts we have? Congress 35. In which cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction (Cases affecting ambassadors and public ministers) a. Constitutional issues b. Laws of the US c. Treaties under authority of the US government d. Ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, etc., e. Controversies between two or more states f. A State and citizens of another state g. Citizens of different states h. States/citizens with foreign states/citizens 36. What must be necessary to convict someone of treason? - Testimony of at least 2 witnesses to the same overt action, or 1 confession in open court
CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT KEY Article IV 37. What is the topic of Article IV? Relations among the states 38. What does the Constitution say about how one state must regard the laws of another state? - Each state must honor the laws of all other states 39. Explain Privileges and Immunities. - The Privileges and Immunities Clause - 'The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states’ - was added to the Constitution in hopes of encouraging travel between the states and wanting U.S. citizens to feel secure in their travels between states and know that they would be guaranteed the same general rights everywhere in the U.S. In other words, it prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner. 40. What limitation is put on admitting new states to the Union? - No state can be formed within the jurisdiction of any other state or by the junction of 2 or more states (or parts of states) without the consent of the State Legislatures and Congress
Article V
41. What fraction of the houses of Congress is necessary to approve a proposed Amendment? 2/3 of both houses 42. What fraction of states must approve a proposed amendment for it to be ratified? ¾ of the states 43. What fraction of the states can ask for a convention to propose new amendments? 2/3 of the states 44. What is the only limitation in the Constitution as to what can be the basis of an amendment? - No state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage (vote) in the Senate.
Article VI 45. What does the Constitution say about which law shall predominate if there in any conflict between laws? - The Constitution and the laws of the US shall be the supreme law of the land 46. What qualification for holding any public office is forbidden? No religious test shall ever be required
Article VII 47. How many states had to ratify the Constitution for it to become law? 9 states
Amendments 48. Name the five basic civil liberties guaranteed in the First Amendment. a. Freedom of speech b. Freedom of the press c. Freedom of religion d. Right of people to assemble peaceably e. Right to petition the government for a redress of grievances th 49. 26 Amendment Which amendment extended the vote to 18 year olds? th
50. 8 Amendment Which amendment outlaws “cruel and unusual punishments?” th
51. 13 Amendment Which amendment ended slavery? 52. Put the NINTH Amendment in your own words. - People have more rights beyond those that are outlined in the US Constitution
CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT KEY 53. Put the TENTH Amendment in your own words. - The states or the people retain all powers except those denied to them or those specifically granted to the federal government. th 54. 11 Amendment Which Amendment prevents a citizen of North Carolina suing the state of Georgia? th
55. 15 Amendment Which amendment said that states could not prevent people from voting based on their race? th
56. 5 Amendment Which amendment said that a person could not be tried twice for the same crime? 57. When can the government take private property and what must government give the owners? Which Amendment established this? th - When the government takes it for public use and gives the owners just compensation – 5 Amendment 58. What phrase is repeated both in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments? Explain what this phrase means. - “…nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.” - The government cannot take away a person’s life, property, or freedom without following certain steps that give the person a fair chance (due process) 59. 14th Amendment Which amendment defined citizenship? 60. List the rights that the accused has when suspected of a crime. a. Right to remain silent – cannot be made to answer questions or testify against oneself, which may be self-incriminating b. Right to legal counsel (or an attorney) even if they cannot afford one c. Right to due process of law d. Right to a fair and speedy trial by an impartial jury in the state where the crime was committed e. Right to know what they’re being accused of f. Right to obtain witnesses in their favor if necessary g. Cannot be tried more than once for the same crime (no double jeopardy) th st 61. 18 and 21 Amendments Which amendment prohibited alcohol? Which amendment repealed its prohibition? ______________ th
62. 19 Amendment; 1920 Which amendment gave women the right to vote and in what year was it passed? nd 63. 22 Amendment Which amendment decided that a person could only be president for 2 terms? 64. On what day does the Constitution state that a new president shall be inaugurated? Which amendment establishes this? When must the new Congress meet? th th rd - January 20 - 20 Amendment – The new Congress must meet at noon on January 3 unless they appoint a different day th 65. 12 Amendment Which amendment separated the vote for President and Vice President in the Electoral College? a. In that same amendment, who should choose the president if no one get a majority in the Electoral College? And the vice president? - President shall be chosen by the House of Representatives - Vice-President shall be chosen by the Senate th 66. 4 Amendment Which amendment requires a warrant to search someone’s property? th
67. 16 Amendment Which amendment gave government the power to impose an income tax? th
68. 25 Amendment Which Amendment establishes what to do if the president is incapacitated and can’t perform his duties
CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT KEY 69. List and briefly explain all the Amendments that expanded voting rights: th - 15 Amendment: No citizen shall be denied the right to vote based on their race, color, or previous condition of servitude th - 17 Amendment: Established the election of US Senators by the people (not by the state legislatures as was previously done) th - 19 Amendment: Gave women the right to vote rd - 23 Amendment: Extends the right to vote in the presidential election to citizens residing in the District of Columbia th - 24 Amendment: Forbids the use of the poll tax as a requirement for voting in all federal elections th - 26 Amendment: Extends the right to vote to citizens who are 18 yrs of age or older 70. List and briefly explain all the Amendments that have to do with the Presidency: th - 12 Amendment: Provides for election of the president and vice president by the Electoral College; should there be no majority vote for one person, the House of Representatives (one vote per state) chooses the president th - 20 Amendment: Sets the dates at which federal US government elected offices end. It also defines who succeeds the president if the president dies nd - 22 Amendment: Limits the president to only two 4-year terms in office rd - 23 Amendment: Extends the right to vote in the presidential election to citizens residing in the District of Columbia th - 24 Amendment: Forbids the use of the poll tax as a requirement for voting in all federal elections th - 25 Amendment: Explains the succession to the presidency in the event of the president's death, resignation, or incapacity
