AP Gov Articles of the Constitution and 27 Amendments

Article 1

"The Legislative Branch"

The U.S. Congress makes the laws for the United States. Congress has two parts called "Houses" the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress also has the power to borrow money for the nation, declare war and raise a military. It also has the power to check and balance the other two federal branches.

Article 2

"The Executive Branch"

This branch of the government manages the day-to-day operations of government through different federal departments and agencies. At the head of this branch is the nationally elected President of the United States(Also includes the Vice President, Cabinet, and departments under Cabinet Secretaries.

Article 3

"The Judicial Branch"

Determines that the court of last resort is the US Supreme Court and that the US Congress has the power to determine the size and scope of those courts below it. Courts below the Supreme Court decide criminal and civil court cases according to the correct federal, state, and local laws.

Article 4

"The States"

Explains the relationship between the states and the federal government. The federal government guarantees a republican form of government in each state, protects the nation and the people from foreign/domestic violence, and determines how new states can join the Union. Also suggests that all the states are equal to each other and should respect each other's laws and the judicial decisions made by other state court systems.

Article 5

"Amendments"

Explains that the constitution can be altered if necessary. It is required that for new amendments to be added to the constitution 2/3 of congress needs to approve the amendment and 3/4 of the states need to approve the amendment.

Article 6

"Debts, Supremacy, and Oaths"

Article explains that debts/engagements thats the USA encountered prior to the creation of the constitution are still valid. Also this article explains that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that all state/federal officers, judges need to uphold all of the Constitutions rules.

Article 7

"Ratification"

Addresses how many states need to ratify the Constitution in order for it to be used in the United States and how states should go about ratifying the constitution.

1st Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Established freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press as well as the right to assemble and petition.

2nd Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Established the right to bear arms. Adopted so congress could no disarm state malitias

3rd Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Established that no homeowner was required to house soldiers whether it be in times of war or peace unless it was prescribed by law or had the homeowners consent.

4th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Established that a person could not be searched or have property seized without a search warrant and/or probable cause

5th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Established the rights of Accused Persons

(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda Rights)

(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)

(3) No deprivation of life, liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)

(4) Eminent domain

6th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Establishes the right to a fair trial

(1) Fast and and public trial

(2)Person must be told charges

(3)Right to counsel

(4)Right to jury in criminal cases

7th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Guarantees the right to a trial by jury for civil cases in federal court. It will not be tried in court if the dispute involves less than $20.00 (less than $75,000.00 today)

8th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishment and is not allowed to post excessive post. Meaning of cruel changes as society evolves and categorical bans on death penalty.

9th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) People have unenumerated rights( legal rights inferred from other legal rights that are officiated in a retrievable form codified by law institutions )including the ones stated in the constitution that have not been developed by the supreme court.

10th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791

(Bill of Rights) Powers that were not outlined in the Constitution are reserved for the people or the states (i.e. marriage)

13th Amendment

Ratified December 6, 1865

(Civil War Amendment) Abolished slavery and indentured servitude in the United States unless it was a form of punishment for a crime where a person has been duly convicted.

14th Amendment

Ratified July 9, 1868

(Civil War Amendment) Granted citizenship to all people born or neutralized in the United States. No person can be denied the rights of life and liberty without due process of the law.

15th Amendment

Ratified February 3, 1870

(Civil War Amendment)States do not have the right to deny any person the right to vote due to race.

19thAmendment

Ratified August 18, 1920

States can no longer deny female voters the right to vote

24th Amendment

Ratified January 23, 1964

Forbids states to impose poll taxes that voters must pay prior to voting in national elections.

26th Amendment

Ratified July 1, 1971

States do no have the right to deny voting to people based on age(18+)