Key Amendments and Constitutional Clauses Overview

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits Congress from establishing a national religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires probable cause and a warrant.

5th Amendment

Protects against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and ensures due process.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a fair trial, impartial jury, and legal counsel.

9th Amendment

Declares that rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution are retained by the people.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment

Provides citizenship rights, equal protection, and due process under the law.

14th Equal Protection Clause

Requires states to provide equal protection under the law to all people.

14th Due Process Clause

Extends protection of individual rights against state governments.

Guarantees the right to fair procedures before depriving life, liberty, or property.

15th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

17th Amendment

Allows for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two terms in office.

25th Amendment

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land (Article VI).

Commerce Clause

Grants Congress the power to regulate trade between states, foreign nations, and Indian tribes (Article I, Section 8).

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic)

Gives Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8).

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states (Article IV, Section 1).

Federal Questions Clause

Grants federal courts jurisdiction to hear cases arising under the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, or treaties

8th Amendment

Protection from cruel and unusual punishment. (death penalty)

24th Amendment

abolition of poll taxes

Article I – Legislative Branch

Creates Congress, made up of the House and Senate, and gives it the power to make laws, collect taxes, declare war, and regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Article II – Executive Branch

Establishes the presidency, giving the president the power to enforce laws, command the military, negotiate treaties, and appoint federal officials and judges (with Senate confirmation).

Article III – Judicial Branch

Creates the Supreme Court and gives Congress power to create lower courts, with authority over interpreting laws and hearing cases involving federal laws or constitutional issues.

Article IV – Relations Among States

Requires states to respect each other’s laws, includes extradition, and guarantees each state a republican form of government and protection from invasion.

Article V – Amending the Constitution

✅ To propose an amendment:

1. 2/3 of both houses of Congress
   OR

2. 2/3 of state legislatures call for a constitutional convention (this has never happened)

✅ To ratify an amendment:

1. 3/4 of state legislatures
   OR

2. 3/4 of state conventions (used only once: for the 21st Amendment)

Article VI – Supremacy Clause

Declares the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the supreme law of the land, overriding conflicting state laws.

Article VII – Ratification

States that the Constitution would take effect after being ratified by 9 of the 13 original states.