U.S. Constitution

Article I

Assigns the responsibility for making laws to the Legislative branch

Article II

Establishes the Executive branch of the National Government, headed by a single president

Article III

The judicial power of the U.S. shall be vested in one Supreme Court, from time to time, Congress may ordain and establish

Article IV

Outlines the relationship between the various states
- states>states
- states> federal

Article V

Describes the process for altering the Constitution

Article VI

States that when state law is in conflict with federal law, federal law must prevail
- Supremacy clause

Article VII

Sets the number of state ratifications necessary for the Constitution to take effect

Amendment 1

Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition

Amendment 2

Right to bear laws

Amendment 3

Citizens do not have to house soldiers

Amendment 4

No unreasonable search or arrest

Amendment 5

No double jeopardy or no witness against yourself

Amendment 6

The right to a speedy and public trial

Amendment 7

The rights to jury trial in civil matters of $20 and over

Amendment 8

No excessive bail or cruel punishments

Amendment 9

People get right not listed in the Constitution

Amendment 10

Any rights not given to federal government and given the states and people

Amendment 11

Individual cannot sue a state in a federal court

Amendment 12

Separate ballots for president and vice president

Amendment 13

Abolish slavery

Amendment 14

If you are born or naturalized in the U.S. then you are a citizen of the U.S.

Amendment 15

You cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, color, or creed

Amendment 16

Income tax

Amendment 17

Popular election of U.S. senators

Amendment 18

Prohibition

Amendment 19

Women get the right to vote

Amendment 20

President takes office on January 20th instead of March 4th

Amendment 21

Repeal prohibition

Amendment 22

President can only serve two terms

Amendment 23

Washington D.C. residents can vote for president

Amendment 24

Anti poll tax

Amendment 25

Lays down the rules for who becomes president if the president dies/resides

Amendment 26

18 year olds get to vote

Amendment 27

Congress cannot accept a pay raise until next term

Commerce Clause

Regulates commerce with other countries and states

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Enables congress to pass special laws to require other departments of the government to prosecute or adjudicate particular claims, whether asserted by the government itself or by private persons

Supremacy Clause

-Establishes the Constitution as the "Supreme Law of the Land"
- Federal law supersedes state laws when a conflict exists

Habeas Corpus Clause

Protects against unlawful and indefinite prison

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

Due Process

Under the 5th and 14th amendments. Means that a citizen that will be affected by a government decision must be given advance notice of what the government plans to do, and how they might be deprived of life, liberty and property

Emoluments

Government officials cannot receive gifts from foreign states or countries without congress approval

Establishment

Government can not endorse or support a religion

Free exercise

Government cannot prohibit people from practicing religion

Privileges and Immunities

States cannot abridge the civil right of or discriminate against citizens
- Ex. Doesn't matter if you belong to the state. Does matter about colleges