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1st Amendment
Congress may not violate the rights of freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceable assembly, and petition
2nd Amendment
Each state has the right to maintain a militia. Individuals can own and use weapons, but the government can regulate.
3rd Amendment
The government may not quarter, or house, soldiers in the people's homes during peacetime without the people's permission.
4th Amendment
The government may not search or take a person's property without a warrant.
5th Amendment
A person may not be tried twice for the same crime and does not have to testify against him/herself.
6th Amendment
A person charged with a crime has the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and a lawyer.
7th Amendment
A person in a civil case is guaranteed a trial by jury.
8th Amendment
A person is protected from excessive or unreasonable fines or cruel and unusual punishment.
9th Amendment
The people have rights other than those mentioned in the Constitution.
10th Amendment
Any power not given to the Federal Government by the Constitution is a power of either the State or the people.
11th Amendment
Citizens of a State or foreign country may not sue another State in federal court.
12th Amendment
The Electoral College will vote separately for President and Vice President rather than together in one ballot.
13th Amendment
Slavery is outlawed in the United States
14th Amendment
States shall not deprive persons of life, liberty, or property without due process. The Three-Fifths Compromise is repealed, and all persons are counted in the census.
15th Amendment
Citizens are guaranteed the right to vote, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
16th Amendment
Congress has the right to set up an income tax.
17th Amendment
U.S. Senators are elected directly by voters in each State.
18th Amendment
Making or selling alcohol is illegal.
19th Amendment
Citizens are guaranteed the right to vote, regardless of gender.
20th Amendment
The President takes office on January 20th, and Congress's term begins January 3rd.
21st Amendment
This amendment repealed the 18th Amendment.
22nd Amendment
No President can be elected to more than two terms.
23rd Amendment
People living in Washington, D.C., may vote in presidential and vice presidential elections. D.C. has three presidential electors.
24th Amendment
People may vote for President, Vice President, and Congress without paying a voting tax.
25th Amendment
The Vice President acts as the President if the President is disabled.
26th Amendment
Citizens who are at least 18 years of age are guaranteed the right to vote.
27th Amendment
Any pay raise the House of Representatives may approve for its members does not take effect until after the next congressional election.
Popular Sovereignty
the people hold ultimate power in the government.
Limited Government
No government is all powerful. Government must obey the laws and limits set by them (constitution).
Separation of Powers
No one component of the government holds too much power Powers are distributed among 3 different branches.
Checks and Balances
Designed to prevent abuse of power in the government. Each branch has powers over each other that limit each branch's individual power.
Federalism
Power is shared between the central/national government and the states.
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to declare a law constitutional and unconstitutional. First utilized in the Marbury vs. Madison landmark supreme court case in the Marshall court.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak central government with limited powers.
Delegated Powers
Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution. These include Expressed Powers, Implied Powers, and Inherent Powers.
Expressed Powers
Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government, such as the power to coin money and declare war.
Implied Powers
Powers not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause. Example: creating a national bank.
Inherent Powers
Powers that inherently belong to the federal government because it is a sovereign entity. Example: regulating immigration.
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax and establish courts.
Elastic Clause
Also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, it gives Congress the authority to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
Supremacy Clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law when there is a conflict.
Great Compromise
A pivotal agreement at the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature with representation based on population (House of Representatives) and equal representation (Senate).
Three-Fifths Compromise
An agreement that counted three-fifths of enslaved people for both taxation and representation purposes in determining a state's congressional representation.
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromises
A series of agreements at the Constitutional Convention regarding trade and slavery, including the ban on export taxes and the postponement of debates on the slave trade.
Federalist Papers
A collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which protect individual liberties and limit the powers of the federal government.
First Amendment Process
An amendment may be proposed by 2/3 of both the House and the Senate.
An amendment may be ratified by the legislatures/conventions of 3/4 of the states.
Article 1
Gives Congress its powers and limits. Congress is the branch of the government who can make laws for the country. Also creates the two sections of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives - explains the Legislative Branch (Congress)
Article 2
The Executive branch has the responsibility and authority for the administration on a daily basis - explains the Executive Branch (President)
Article 3
The Judicial branch is the court system that interprets the law. In the United States, the Judicial branch includes the Supreme Court and the lower courts which are made by Congress - explains the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court/Court System)
Article 4
Gives responsibilities and duties the states have along with what responsibilities the federal government has to each state. (Relations Among States, Citizenship, New States)
Article 5
Explains how to add amendments to the Constitution. (Amendment Process)
Article 6
The Supremacy Clause"; states that laws by Congress are superior to state laws; state laws are not allowed to conflict with national laws. (Debts, Supremacy Clause, Oaths, Religious Tests).
Article 7
Explains how many states are needed to ratify the Constitution. (Ratification Process)
Preamble of the US Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.