AP Government

Bill of Rights

Laid a foundation for the ruling of the country. First Ten Amendments make up the Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

Amendment II

Right to bear arms

Amendment III

Prevents government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes (quartering of troops)

Amendment IV

Prevents the government from unreasonable search and seizure of the individual of their private property

Amendment V

Indictment, double jeopardy, protection against self-incrimination, due process

Amendment VI

Speedy and public trial impartial jury in criminal cases, cross examination of adverse witnesses

Amendment VII

Extends the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases

Amendment VIII

Bars excessive bail and fines and also prevents cruel and unusual punishment

Amendment VIIII

States that things not mentioned in the constitution are valid (listing rights in the Constitution doesn’t deny others)

Amendment X

The Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn’t listed, it belongs to the states or to the people (delagated and reserved)

Amendments

There are 27 Amendments overall in the Constitution

Articles of the Constitution

7 Articles total, Organize the branches of the government

Article I

Creates the legislative branch of the U.S. government, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. Together, they are called the Congress.

Article II

Creates the executive branch of government and gives the executive power to the president.

Article III

Creates the judicial branch of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and any inferior courts Congress creates

Article IV

Sets rules for the relationships among the states and for admitting new states, and guarantees each state will be a republic.

Article V

Enables the Constitution to be amended and sets rules for how to amend it.

Article VI

Establishes the Constitution and other U.S. laws as the supreme law of the land, superior to state laws.

Article VII

Explains that the Constitution would be ratified when nine states approved it.

Virginia Plan

Outlined strong national government with three branches: executive..etc. Also called for a bi-cameral congress with proportional representation.

New Jersey Plan

Designed to protect smaller states; wanted to limit each state to one vote in congress (was not executed) - equal representation

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

House membership apportioned by population; senate equal representation. Meant to combine the ideas of the NJ Plan and VA Plan

Three-Fifths Compromise

Only 3 of every 5 enslaved persons could be counted to determine state population.

Electoral College

Set up a way of electing the president so that larger states don't have an unfair advantage over smaller states. Each state gets the same amount of electors as it has in congress