American Government Study Guide

The other option to amend the constitution actually begins with the states with two-thirds of their legislatures calling for a Constitutional Convention. This is where potential amendments are intro- duced. Then with three-fourths of the states’ legislatures agreeing, amendments can be added by the states themselves. This isn’t used because most states are concerned more with their own dealings than making federal law. 3.6 Article VI Debts, Oaths, and Supremacy Article VI of the United States Constitution covers some basic house keeping things for the nation as it is brought together under a new plan of government. The immediate things that needed dealt with was the outstanding debt under the Articles of Confederation. The constitution states that all that debt with be assumed under the new national government. There is also the issue of how you maintain loyalty of the of�icials that work for the government of the United States. An oath of of�ice is required for anyone serving the United States government. This is a layer of protection to know that if one works for the government and betrays it, it is not taken lightly. Lastly, there is the supremacy clause of article VI. This states that it is forbidden for the states to create laws that come into con�lict with federal law. The clearly establishes that the federal level of government is the supreme level that has to be the �inal authority. Ultimately, that decision lies within the Supreme Court of the United States. 3.7 Article VII Rati�ication All that was left to do was to ratify , or approve the new constitution. It was going to require nine of the thirteen states to approve it. Delaware was the �irst state to ratify it and the ninth s tate was New Hampshire in 1788. Ultimately, all of the states rati�ied it by 1790. 3.8 Chapter 3 Review Questions 1. How old must one be to become a United States senator? a. 25 b. 30 c. 35 d. no age requirement 2. How old must one be to become a justice on the United States Supreme Court? a. 25 b. 30 c. 35 d. no age requirement

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