amendments, foundational documents, SCOTUS cases

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

What right is guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment?

The right to keep and bear arms.

What does the 3rd Amendment protect?

Prevents the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

What does the 4th Amendment protect?

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

What does the 5th Amendment guarantee?

Protection from double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and guarantees due process.

What is the 6th Amendment?

Right to a speedy and public trial, legal counsel, and to confront witnesses.

What is the significance of the 7th Amendment?

Guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil cases.

What does the 8th Amendment protect?

Prevents cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.

What does the 9th Amendment state?

Rights retained by the people are not limited to those listed in the Constitution.

What does the 10th Amendment state?

Any powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.

What is the significance of the 11th Amendment?

Limits the ability of individuals to sue states in federal court.

What does the 12th Amendment change?

Revised the process for electing the president and vice president.

What is the 13th Amendment?

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

What is the 14th Amendment?

Granted citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law; used for selective incorporation.

What did the 15th Amendment establish?

Voting rights cannot be denied based on race.

What did the 16th Amendment allow?

Congress the power to levy income taxes.

What did the 17th Amendment establish?

Direct election of U.S. Senators by the people.

What did the 18th Amendment enact?

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages (Prohibition).

What did the 19th Amendment accomplish?

Gave women the right to vote.

What did the 20th Amendment change?

Set the terms for the president and Congress; known as the "Lame Duck" Amendment.

What did the 21st Amendment repeal?

Repealed Prohibition (18th Amendment).

What did the 22nd Amendment establish?

Limited the president to two terms in office.

What did the 23rd Amendment do?

Gave residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections.

What did the 24th Amendment abolish?

Poll taxes in federal elections.

What did the 25th Amendment address?

Clarified presidential succession and procedures for filling a vacancy in the vice presidency.

What did the 26th Amendment change?

Lowered the voting age to 18.

What did the 27th Amendment establish?

Prohibited any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until after the next election.

What is the main idea of the Declaration of Independence?

People have natural rights, and government gets its power from the consent of the governed.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

Created a weak federal government with no power to tax or regulate trade.

What does Federalist No. 10 argue?

A large republic is the best way to control factions and protect minority rights.

What is Brutus No. 1's main argument?

A large central government threatens liberty and state power.

What does Federalist No. 51 say?

Separation of powers and checks and balances are essential to prevent tyranny.

What is the main argument of Federalist No. 70?

A strong, single executive is necessary for effective government.

What does Federalist No. 78 discuss?

The judiciary should be independent and have the power of judicial review.

What is the significance of the Letter from Birmingham Jail?

Justifies civil disobedience against unjust laws and demands civil rights now.

What did Marbury v. Madison establish?

Judicial review—courts can declare laws unconstitutional.

What did McCulloch v. Maryland decide?

Federal government has implied powers; states can't tax the national bank.

What is the significance of U.S. v. Lopez?

Limited Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause.

What was ruled in Engel v. Vitale?

School-sponsored prayer violates the Establishment Clause.

What was the ruling in Wisconsin v. Yoder?

Religious freedom outweighs compulsory education laws.

What did Tinker v. Des Moines establish?

Students have First Amendment rights in schools (symbolic speech).

What did NY Times v. U.S. rule?

Government can't exercise prior restraint without a clear danger.

What precedent did Schenck v. U.S. set?

Speech can be limited if it presents a 'clear and present danger.'

What right was upheld in Gideon v. Wainwright?

Right to an attorney for criminal defendants in state courts.

What was Roe v. Wade about?

Right to privacy protects a woman’s right to an abortion.

What was decided in McDonald v. Chicago?

Incorporated the 2nd Amendment to the states.

What did Brown v. Board of Education decide?

Segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

What was the outcome of Citizens United v. FEC?

Political spending by corporations is protected speech.

What did Baker v. Carr establish?

Courts can hear redistricting cases—'one person, one vote.'

What was the ruling in Shaw v. Reno?

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

What is the U.S. Constitution?

The supreme law of the United States that outlines the framework of government and protects citizens' rights.

What are the key principles of the U.S. Constitution?

Separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, popular sovereignty, limited government, and individual rights.

What does the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution state?

,It outlines the purposes of the Constitution, including establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty.

What does Article I of the U.S. Constitution establish?

The Legislative Branch (Congress), its powers, structure, and limitations.

What does Article II of the U.S. Constitution establish?

The Executive Branch (President), its powers, duties, and limitations.

What does Article III of the U.S. Constitution establish?

The Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and lower courts), and the powers of the judiciary.

What does Article IV of the U.S. Constitution address?

The relations among states and between states and the federal government.

What does Article V of the U.S. Constitution describe?

The process for amending the Constitution.

What does Article VI of the U.S. Constitution state?

It asserts the supremacy of the Constitution and federal laws over state laws and mandates an oath of office for all government officials.

What does Article VII of the U.S. Constitution outline?

The process for ratification of the Constitution.