AP - Amendments 1st Quiz

8h Amendment

Prohibits excessive fines as a punishment (for example, a speeding ticket is a few hundred dollars - not millions) and cruel and unusual punishment (you can’t get the death penalty for theft)

1st Amendment

Congress congress can’t make a law stopping or enforcing a religion, abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and the Government has to redress grievances.

Free Speech Clause: you have the right and freedom to express opinions and ideas without government punishment or censorship.

Free Press Clause: protects the right to gather information and report it to the public without the government interfering. 

Establishment Clause: the govornment cannot establish a national religion, it must remain neutral and not allow any particular religion to take over. The gov. Can also not take down an established religion. 

Free Exercise Clause: the government cannot interfere with your free exercise of religion.

2nd Amendment

Regulated Militia and the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.

4th Amendment

The government can’t search or seizure your person, houses, papers, and things. No unreasonably warrants shall be issued, it must be stated and describe the place, persons, or things to be seized.

5th Amendment

You must go to court and be tried before punished or accused of a serious crime, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger. No person shall be subject for the same offense twice, to be a witness against himself, or be deprived of life, liberty, or property, nor shall private property be taken for public use.

6th Amendment

The accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, be trialed where that crime was committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be told what they are accused of, to be confronted with the witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have a lawyer to defend him.

9th Amendment

Each person has rights, some of which are not mentioned in the constitution, that the govornment has to protect.

10th Amendment

The power is not given to the U.S. gov. but belongs to the people.

13th Amendment

Section 1: Slavery and indentured servitude is abolished, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

Section 2: Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation

14th Amendment

Equal Protection Clause: All persons born in the United States are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. The government must apply its laws fairly and cannot treat people differently without a valid reason.

Due Process Clause: No State shall make or enforce a law which block the freedoms of the citezens, deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

15th Amendment

Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied by the U.S. or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Section 2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation

17th Amendment

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill vacancies of states. Legislature of any State may empower the executive to make temporary appointments until the vacancies are filled.

19th Amendment

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

22nd Amendment

Section 1: you can’t be elected President more than twice, and no person who has bean President for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

23rd Amendment

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State.

Section 2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation

24th Amendment

Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, Senator, or Representatives in Congress, voting won’t be denied if you don’t pay taxes or tolls.

Section 2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation

26th Amendment

Section 1: new voting age is 18

Section 2: The Congress has the power to enforce this by appropriate legislation

Commerce Clause

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among states, and with the Indian tribes.”

Necessary and Proper Clause

Clause 18 under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. Congress can make laws not specifically listed in the constitution as long as they are necessary and proper to carry out what is stated in the constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI, Paragraph 2 of the U.S. Constitution. The federal government can enforce treaties, create a central bank, and enact legislation without interference from the states.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV, Section I of the Constitution, that state courts respect the laws and judgments of courts from other states. This clause attempts to prevent conflict among states and ensure the dependability of judgments across the country. Requires courts to follow the judgments made on the same issue in another state.