How well do you know the US Constitution?

Welcome to the Constitution Quiz! This quiz, unlike others, is not focused on dates or meaningless facts that were often forced on everyone to remember while growing up, but deals directly with the meaning and intent that everyone should know. Nor is it heavily based on the Bill of Rights (and that is simply because most Americans have a general understanding of them, certainly not as well as they should, but it is talked about enough that most know the basics). The area of the Constitution this quiz examines focuses on the three branches of government (particularly the legislative and executive relating to foreign affairs) and is focused exclusively on current event related issues that we are currently facing in the USA.

The most important document in US history historically and currently still is the US Constitution. It sets out our Republic with three checked and balanced branches, enumerated powers, and of course, our Constitutional rights. Most people claim to have an advanced knowledge of the US Constitution, even though the majority do not even have the basics. So where do you stand? Do you know the Constitution or are you a pretender falsely claiming to possess knowledge you do not have? For the sake of the Republic, find out now!

Created by: Ryo Ohki of Protect the Constitution
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1. Who can legally take the United States into war (or military actions less than war)? Who decides whether we go to war or not?
The President
The Congress
The Supreme Court
Either the President or Congress
2. Which of the following is true with regards to the following phrase: commander-in-chief?
As commander in chief the president has an inherent war making power and can take us into war if he feels the country is threatened.
As commander in chief the president may ignore or violate law if he feels they threaten the nation.
As commander in chief the president makes all the decisions relating to war and neither the courts nor Congress may interfere or offer orders stipulating the president to follow.
As commander in chief the president may use troops to defend the nation when the country is physically being invaded or may direct troops after Congress decides to go to war (or cases less than war).
All the above
None of the above
3. As far as the Constitution is concerned, the President may use his right to claim executive privilege when?
Never: There are no constitutional grounds to claim executive privilege on
Only if the president thinks it will threaten US security
If the President disagrees with the motive for being asked for information
Whenever the president feels necessary
Answers 2 + 3
4. True or false: A branch may legally abdicate one of their enumerated powers to another branch if they so choose.
True: If a branch decides to give away their power to another branch, they can do that.
True: Only if both branches agree however
False: No branch can give away their powers unless the Constitution is legally amended.
False: The Supreme Court must approve any transfer of powers.
5. The Constitution lists 3 categories of impeachment: treason, bribery, and high crimes and misdemeanors. What is an example of high crimes and misdemeanors?
The abuse or violation of some public trust
Concealing evidence from the Senate
Presidential usurpation or violation of congressional foreign affairs powers
All of the above
None of the above: it has to be an actual crime like lying under oath or killing someone
6. As far as impeachment is concerned, how does it work? Who has the authority to do what?
Either the House or Senate can bring charges of impeachment and then the Congress as a whole decides whether to impeach or not.
The Senate has the exclusive authority to bring impeachment charges, the Attorney General makes the final decision though.
The House has the exclusive authority to bring impeachment charges; the Senate has exclusive power to try impeachments
Either the House or Senate can bring charges of impeachment, but it is the Supreme Court who makes the decision.
7. The Supreme Law of the land shall consist of what?
The Constitution
The laws passed by Congress
Treaties which have been passed by Congress
All of the above
8. Say the Congress passes statute X and it becomes law, however sometime later the President decides to ignore or disobey it. When is this acceptable?
Never: the President is not above the law
Rarely: In times of grave emergency
Sometimes: It depends on the law
If the president thinks the law will undermine his efforts
If the president disagrees with the purpose
Whenever the president wants to
9. Habeas Corpus, the constitutional means of preventing arbitrary imprisonments, can be suspended legally by which branch?
The Legislative
The Executive
The Judiciary
None: we do not have the rights to habeas corpus in the Constitution
All: any branch legally can if they so feel the need
Only the President can if he feels the country is in danger
10. True or false: The Framers of the Constitution intended that the courts would play NO role in national security matters or foreign affairs

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