The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

10 amendments and what they do

1st

Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and press, and the right of people to petition the government for redress of grievances

2nd

Protects the right of states to maintain militias

3rd

Restricts quartering of troops in private homes

4th

Protects against “unreasonable searches and seizures”

5th

Ensures the right not to be deprived of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,” including protections against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and government seizure of property without just compensation

6th

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury

7th

Ensures the right to a jury trial in cases involving the common law (judge-made law originating in England)

8th

Protects against excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment

9th

Provides that people’s rights are not restricted to those specified in Amendments I–VIII

10th

Reiterates the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the national government are reserved to the states or to the people

Constitution

Supreme Law of the Land

Legislative

The branch of government is responsible for making laws

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments of the constitution

James Madison

Father of the Constitution

Congress

The body that has the power to declare war according to the Constitution

35

Minimum age required to be president

Federalism

The principle that divides government powers between the national and state governments

2/3 of Congress and ¾ of states

What is required for an amendment to be added to the Constitution?