Ap Gov Amendments and Articles

1st Amendment

1st Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Speech, of the Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd Amendment

Protects the people's right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

No soldier can be quartered in a home without the permission of the owner

4th Amendment

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause

5th Amendment

Protects rights of due process and the right to remain silent ("plead the 5th"), double jeopardy, concerns indictments, and just compensation.

6th Amendment

The right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of one's peers; to have witnesses and to give a defense

7th Amendment

The right to a trial by jury in civil cases for amounts of $20 or more

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments

9th Amendment

People have other rights not specifically stated in the Constitution

10th Amendment

Gives all powers not specifically given to the United States government in the Constitution, to either the states or to the people

11th Amendment

Determines when and if a state can be sued; restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states in federal court. (There are exceptions)

12th Amendment

The Electoral College must vote for the President and the Vice President separately. The President and Vice President are elected on a party ticket.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude

14th Amendment

Makes anyone born on US soil a citizen and guarantees equal protection under the law. An immigrant can become a naturalized citizen.

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

15th Amendment

Gave all men the right to vote regardless of race or color or whether they had been slaves

16th Amendment

Created an income tax and gave the Federal government the power to collect it

17th Amendment

Creates the direct election by the people of Senators

18th Amendment

Prohibition of the drinking, manufacture, and sale of alcohol (Prohibition)

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote

20th Amendment

Gives details on the terms of office for Congress and President; shortens "lame duck" period (time between election and inauguration) The President is inaugurated in January. Congress begins to meet in January.

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th amendment (prohibition) Each state can make laws about making, selling, and drinking alcohol.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office (or 8 years)

23rd Amendment

Gave Washington, D.C. representatives in the electoral college so that citizens of D.C. could participate in the electoral process, even though it is not an official state

24th Amendment

It is illegal to make a citizen pay a voting fee or take a reading test to vote.

25th Amendment

Explains what happens when the President dies or is unable to continue in office (Succession). If the president dies or cannot serve, the vice-president becomes president. If both die, the Speaker of the House becomes president.

26th Amendment

Sets the national voting age at 18, cannot be set any higher

(Cuz Vietnam War)

27th Amendment

Any changes in Congressional salaries will take place after the next term starts. Congress must limit when and how much its members are paid.

Article 1

Legislative Branch: the U.S. Congress makes the laws for the United States. Congress has two parts, called "Houses," the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Article 2

Executive Branch: the President, Vice-President, Cabinet, and Departments under the Cabinet Secretaries carry out the laws made by Congress.

Article 3

Judicial Branch: the Supreme Court decides court cases according to US Constitution. The courts under the Supreme Court decide criminal and civil court cases according to the correct federal, state, and local laws.

Article 4

States' powers: States have the power to make and carry out their own laws. State laws that are related to the people and problems of their area. States respect other states laws and work together with other states to fix regional problems.

Article 5

Amendments: The Constitution can be changed. New amendments can be added to the US Constitution with the approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress (Senate: 67, House: 281) and three-fourth vote by the states (38).

Article 6

Federal powers: The Constitution and federal laws are higher than state and local laws. All laws must agree with the US Constitution.

Article 7

Ratification: The Constitution was presented to George Washington and the men at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, Representatives from twelve out of the thirteen original states signed the Constitution. From September 1787 to July 1788, the states meet, talked about, and finally voted to approve the Constitution.