AP Gov Articles of the Constitution and 27 Amendments

Article 1

"The 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. Congress also has the power to borrow money for the nation, declare war and raise a military. It also has the power to check and balance the other two federal branches.

Article 2

"The Executive Branch"
This branch of the government manages the day-to-day operations of government through different federal departments and agencies. At the head of this branch is the nationally elected President of the United States(Also includes the Vice President, Cabinet, and departments under Cabinet Secretaries.

Article 3

"The Judicial Branch"
Determines that the court of last resort is the US Supreme Court and that the US Congress has the power to determine the size and scope of those courts below it. Courts below the Supreme Court decide criminal and civil court cases according to the correct federal, state, and local laws.

Article 4

"The States"
Explains the relationship between the states and the federal government. The federal government guarantees a republican form of government in each state, protects the nation and the people from foreign/domestic violence, and determines how new states can join the Union. Also suggests that all the states are equal to each other and should respect each other's laws and the judicial decisions made by other state court systems.

Article 5

"Amendments"
Explains that the constitution can be altered if necessary. It is required that for new amendments to be added to the constitution 2/3 of congress needs to approve the amendment and 3/4 of the states need to approve the amendment.

Article 6

"Debts, Supremacy, and Oaths"
Article explains that debts/engagements thats the USA encountered prior to the creation of the constitution are still valid. Also this article explains that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that all state/federal officers, judges need to uphold all of the Constitutions rules.

Article 7

"Ratification"
Addresses how many states need to ratify the Constitution in order for it to be used in the United States and how states should go about ratifying the constitution.

1st Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Established freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press as well as the right to assemble and petition.

2nd Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Established the right to bear arms. Adopted so congress could no disarm state malitias

3rd Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Established that no homeowner was required to house soldiers whether it be in times of war or peace unless it was prescribed by law or had the homeowners consent.

4th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Established that a person could not be searched or have property seized without a search warrant and/or probable cause

5th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Established the rights of Accused Persons
(1) No Self-Incrimination (Miranda Rights)
(2) No Double Jeopardy (defendant cannot be tried again on the same, or similar charges)
(3) No deprivation of life, liberty or property without "due process of law" (fair treatment)
(4) Eminent domain

6th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Establishes the right to a fair trial
(1) Fast and and public trial
(2)Person must be told charges
(3)Right to counsel
(4)Right to jury in criminal cases

7th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Guarantees the right to a trial by jury for civil cases in federal court. It will not be tried in court if the dispute involves less than $20.00 (less than $75,000.00 today)

8th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishment and is not allowed to post excessive post. Meaning of cruel changes as society evolves and categorical bans on death penalty.

9th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) People have unenumerated rights( legal rights inferred from other legal rights that are officiated in a retrievable form codified by law institutions )including the ones stated in the constitution that have not been developed by the supreme court.

10th Amendment

Ratified December 15, 1791
(Bill of Rights) Powers that were not outlined in the Constitution are reserved for the people or the states (i.e. marriage)

11th Amendment

Ratified Feb. 7, 1795
Explained that it was impossible for one citizen of a state to sue another state. Federal courts are not permitted to hear courses against states.

12th Amendment

Ratified June 15, 1804
Explained that members of the electoral college vote for one candidate as president and one candidate as vice president.

13th Amendment

Ratified December 6, 1865
(Civil War Amendment) Abolished slavery and indentured servitude in the United States unless it was a form of punishment for a crime where a person has been duly convicted.

14th Amendment

Ratified July 9, 1868
(Civil War Amendment) Granted citizenship to all people born or neutralized in the United States. No person can be denied the rights of life and liberty without due process of the law.

15th Amendment

Ratified February 3, 1870
(Civil War Amendment)States do not have the right to deny any person the right to vote due to race.

16th Amendment

Ratified February 3, 1913
Gave government the right to collect income taxes and enact them in society.

17th Amendment

Ratified April 8, 1913
Gave states the power to directly elect senators instead of them being elected by state legislators

18th Amendment

Ratified January 16, 1919
Forbade people to make, sell, or drink alcohol ("Prohibition")

19thAmendment

Ratified August 18, 1920
States can no longer deny female voters the right to vote

20th Amendment

Ratified January 23, 1933
Establishes the date that newly elected presidents and officers in Congress take office (President takes office January 20th and Congress begins January 3rd)

21st Amendment

Ratified December 5, 1933
Repeals the prohibition of liquor

22nd Amendment

Ratified February 27, 1951
Establishes that no person can be elected to the role of President for more than two terms

23rd Amendment

Ratified March 9, 1961
Establishes that citizens of Washington D.C. can vote is presidential elections, but they cannot vote in congressional elections.

24th Amendment

Ratified January 23, 1964
Forbids states to impose poll taxes that voters must pay prior to voting in national elections.

25th Amendment

Ratified February 10, 1967
If the president dies, resigns, or is incapable of doing his job, the Vice President becomes the President. If there is no Vice President, The President must appoint a new President that congress approves.

26th Amendment

Ratified July 1, 1971
States do no have the right to deny voting to people based on age(18+)

27th Amendment

Ratified May 7, 1992
Any congressional pay raise does not take effect until the next regular election of the House of Representatives