The Test Bro

Article I

Establishes Congress with two houses.

Senate Requirements

Must be 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and a resident of the state they represent.

House Requirements

Must be 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and a resident of the state they represent.

Article II

Sets up the executive branch.

President Requirements

Must be 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and a resident of the United States for at least 14 years.

Formal powers of the President

Includes commander in chief, veto, pocket veto, negotiate treaties, appointment of federal judges, grant pardons, and enforce federal laws.

Informal powers of the President

Includes executive orders, signing statements, executive agreements, and executive privilege.

Article III

Establishes the judicial branch.

Article IV

Defines the relationship between states and the federal government, outlining federalism.

Article V

Defines the process to amend the Constitution.

Amendment proposal

Requires 2/3 majority by national convention or Congress.

Amendment ratification

Requires 3/4 majority by state conventions or state legislatures.

Article VI

Establishes the supremacy clause.

Article VII

Describes how to ratify the Constitution itself, requiring 9 out of 13 states.

Declaration of Independence

A historic document proclaiming the colonies' intent to separate from British rule and outlining individual rights.

Articles of Confederation problems

Power was held by states, unable to tax, lacked military, couldn't regulate commerce, required all 13 states for ratification, and had no federal courts.

Brutus No. 1

An anti-federalist paper that argued against the proposed Constitution, claiming it threatened individual liberties.

Federalist No. 10

Advocates for a strong national government and argues that a large republic protects individual freedoms.

Federalist No. 51

Addresses separation of powers within the national government to prevent any group's control “humans aren’t angels”

Federalist No. 70

Focuses on the importance of a single president for maintaining justice.

Federalist No. 78

Discusses judicial review and the independence of the judiciary.

Letters from a Birmingham Jail

Written by Martin Luther King Jr. defending nonviolent resistance to racism.

1st amendment

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, expression, press, and petition.

2nd amendment

Establishes the right to bear arms.

3rd amendment

Prohibits quartering troops in times of peace.

4th amendment

Protects against unreasonable search and seizure.

5th amendment

Prohibits double jeopardy and establishes rights to grand jury and due process.

6th amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and counsel in criminal cases.

7th amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and counsel in civil cases.

8th amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

9th amendment

Affirms that rights not specifically listed are retained by the people.

10th amendment

Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states and people.

13th amendment

Abolishes slavery.

14th amendment

Establishes citizenship rights and equal protection under the law.

15th amendment

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race.

16th amendment

Allows for income tax.

17th amendment

Establishes popular election of senators.

18th amendment

Prohibits the manufacture and sale of alcohol.

19th amendment

Prohibits voting discrimination based on gender.

20th amendment

Establishes presidential succession.

21st amendment

Repeals prohibition.

22nd amendment

Imposes a two-term limit on the presidency.

23rd amendment

Grants Washington D.C. votes in the electoral college.

24th amendment

Abolishes poll taxes.

25th amendment

Outlines presidential disability and succession.

26th amendment

Establishes the right to vote at age 18.

27th amendment

Prevents Congress from raising pay midterm.

McCulloch v Maryland

Confirmed implied powers of Congress to set up national banks; states cannot tax federal banks.

United States v. Lopez

Invalidated Gun Free Schools Zones Act as it exceeded Congress's power to regulate intrastate commerce.

Engel v. Vitale

Declared mandatory school prayer unconstitutional under the establishment clause.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Ruled that Amish children could not be compelled to attend school past age 12.

Tinker v Des Moines

Protected students' right to symbolic speech in school.

New York Times v. United States

Held that government cannot prevent publication unless there’s a national security risk.

Schenck v. United States

Established the 'clear and present danger' test regarding free speech limitations.

Gideon v Wainwright

Guaranteed the right to counsel for defendants in criminal cases (selective incorporation).

Roe v. Wade

Established a woman's constitutional right to privacy regarding abortion.

McDonald v Chicago

Ruled that the Second Amendment applies to the states through selective incorporation.

Brown v. Board

Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional under the equal protection clause.

Citizens United v. FEC

Ruled that independent political spending is a form of protected free speech.

Baker v. Carr

Authorized federal courts to hear cases on state districting and apportionment.

Shaw v. Reno

Ruled that race can be a factor in redistricting, but cannot be the sole factor.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review.

bills of attainder

Laws that declare a person guilty without trial.

ex post facto laws

Laws that retroactively change the legal consequences of actions.

writ of habeas corpus

Legal right for detained individuals to know the charges against them.