United States Constitution Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is United States Constitution?

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It was adopted on September 17, 1787 and ratified by the original 13 states in 1788. The Constitution established a federal government with three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The document establishes a system of checks and balances between these branches to ensure no one branch has too much power over the other two. The Constitution outlines specific rights and freedoms for citizens, including freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. It also protects certain rights from infringement by any level of government. This includes the right to bear arms and limits on search and seizure procedures by law enforcement officials. The Bill of Rights was added to provide additional protections for citizens in 1791 and sets out specific provisions that cannot be violated by either state or federal governments. These include: protection against cruel or unusual punishment; protection against excessive bail or fines; protection against double jeopardy; protection from self-incrimination; protections for criminal defendants; freedom of speech; freedom of assembly; freedom from unreasonable search or seizure; right to a speedy trial with an impartial jury (in criminal cases); right to confront witnesses in court proceedings (in criminal cases); right to a writ of habeas corpus (a court order requiring jailers to explain why they are holding someone); right to keep and bear arms (for militia service) ; right not listed in the Constitution are still protected under it through due process clause found in Amendment XIV which says that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process. The Constitution is an important document that has been used as both a model for other countries around the world seeking their own forms of democracy while also being amended over time as needed when new issues arise within our society. Its framework provides an essential foundation for how our nation functions today while protecting our rights as citizens from oppressive governments seeking too much control over its people’s lives.