U.S. Constitution: Key Principles, Amendments, and Government Structure

The Declaration of Independence

Declares everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The Constitution

The Supreme law of the land.

First three words of the Constitution

We the People.

The Preamble

The section of the Constitution that describes its purpose.

Amendments

Changes to the Constitution.

Number of official amendments

27

Number of articles in the Constitution

7

System of checks and Balances

Stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful; also known as Separation of powers.

Articles of Confederation

The governing document of the United States before the Constitution.

Reasons why the Articles of Confederation failed

Weak Central Government, states retain too much power.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 changes to the Constitution.

Groups not present when the Constitution was written

Slaves, women, Native Americans, Poor men.

The ⅗ compromise

Three out of every 5 slaves were counted.

1st amendment

Freedom of Religion, speech, press, petition, assemble.

18th amendment

Prohibit manufacture of alcohol; this amendment was repealed.

Virginia Plan

Representation based on population; 2 house legislature.

New Jersey Plan

Representation between states equal; 1 house legislature.

Connecticut Compromise

Compromise between Virginia and New Jersey plans, proposing a 2 house legislature; one favored population, the other was equal.

Antifederalists' opposition to the Constitution

They believed it gave central government too much power, threatening state sovereignty and liberties.

Federalists' view on the Constitution

Stronger central government would make a stable nation.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that executes the laws.

Congress

The branch of government that passes the laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that determines if the laws are constitutionally allowed.

Power according to the Constitution

The citizens are supposed to hold the power.

Number of senators

100

Number of representatives

435

President of the Senate

The Vice President.

Third in line to be president

President pro tempore of the Senate.

Who declares war?

Congress.

Voting age

18

Who has to sign up for the draft when they are 18?

Men.

Years a person can be President

8 years.

Double jeopardy

Being tried and convicted for the same crime twice.

Passing a vetoed bill

Congress can still pass it with a ⅔ vote.

Rights guaranteed under the 6th and 7th amendments

Right to trial, lawyer, and impartial jury.

19th Amendment

Prohibits denial of right to vote based on gender.

President of the United States

Donald Trump.

Capital of the United States

Washington D.C.

16th Amendment

Grants Congress power to collect income taxes without dividing them among the states based on population.

Census frequency according to the Constitution

Every ten years.

Organizing and running elections

The governor, the attorney general, and the chief election official are in charge.