Amendments & Powers (AP GOV ONLY)

1st amendment

freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.

2nd amendment

right to bear arms

4th amendment

protection against unreasonable search and seizure

5th amendment

protection against self-incrimination (right to remain silent), and due process clause (fair legal trial process)

6th amendment

right to a fair and speedy trial, an impartial jury, and legal counsel.

10th amendment

reserves power not delegated to the federal gov’t to the states (federalism)

14th amendment

includes several clauses, such as the Citizenship Clause, Due Process Clause, and Equal Protection Clause, each serving vital roles in protecting individual rights in states.

15th, 19th, 24th, 26th Amendments

expansion of voting rights:

15th - guarantees voting rights regardless of race (granted African American men the right to vote.)

19th - granted women the right to vote

24th - eliminated poll tax

26th - lowered the legal voting age from 21 to 18

22nd Amendment

Presidential term limits (4 years, two terms max.)

Delegated Powers

directly stated in the Constitution and held by the federal gov’t (ie. delcare war)

Implied powers

NOT stated in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause

Inherent Powers

powers the national gov’t MUST have to function as a country (ie. immigration control)

Reserved Powers

all powers not delegated to the federal gov’t goes to the states (via the 10th amendment)

Concurrent Powers

powers shared by both federal and state governments