Changes to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to changes in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution that guarantee civil liberties to American citizens.

Establishment Clause

Part of the First Amendment prohibiting Congress from establishing an official religion.

Freedom of Speech

The right to express opinions publicly without government interference, with some exceptions such as slander.

Tinker v. Des Moines

A 1969 Supreme Court case that affirmed students' right to free speech in schools.

Freedom of Assembly

The right to gather in groups for any peaceful reason.

Freedom to Petition

The right to make formal requests to the government.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and requires a search warrant for law enforcement.

Fifth Amendment

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

Due Process

Fair procedures established by law that must be followed in legal matters.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to know the charges, and the right to an attorney.

Bail

Money paid to court to temporarily secure the release of an accused person before the trial.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, passed in 1865.

Fourteenth Amendment

Defines citizenship and requires equal protection under the law for all citizens.

Fifteenth Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, passed in 1870.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote in all national and state elections.

Seventeenth Amendment

Allowed for the direct election of US senators by the people, passed in 1913.

Twenty-fourth Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections to ensure voting rights.

Twenty-sixth Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18 in federal and state elections.

Amendment Process

The method of modifying the Constitution, requiring proposal and ratification steps.

First Amendment

Guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Freedom of Religion

The right to practice any religion or no religion, protected by the First Amendment.

slander

False spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.

Freedom of the Press

The right of newspapers, magazines, and other media to report news without government censorship.

Double Jeopardy

Being tried twice for the same crime, prohibited by the Fifth Amendment.

Third Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent during peacetime.

Seventh Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

Enumerated Rights

Specific rights explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Ninth Amendment

States that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states, to the states or to the people.

abolished

Formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution), as seen with slavery in the Thirteenth Amendment.

suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

poll taxes

A tax levied on every adult, without reference to income or resources, which was prohibited in federal elections by the Twenty-fourth Amendment.

Electoral Process

The system by which citizens vote to choose their representatives.

Congress

The legislative branch of the U.S. government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

ratification

The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid; a key step in approving constitutional amendments.