Constitution

7 articles of the constitution

outline the three branches of government, and specific powers and responsibilities of the government. Each Article contains different Sections and Clauses that help organize the document. 

Article 1, Section 1

Gives Congress legislative powers

Article 1, Section 2

Outlines qualifications needed to be apart of the house of representatives. Determines the amount of reps per state.

Article 1, Section 3

Establishes the senate, amount of senators and qualifications needed to be one

Article 1, Section 4

Gives states the power to determine when to hold elections for Congress

Article 1, Section 5

Each house has to keep a record of proceedings. Grants Congress the power to govern itself

Article 1, Section 6

Senators and reps are paid by the US gov and not their states. Also sets up freedom of debate.

Article 1, Section 7

Creates rules to govern how Congress can make laws

Article 1, Section 8

Gives Congress powers such as collecting taxes and declaring war

Article 1, Section 9

Gives Congress some limits such as not being able to suspend habeas corpus

Article 1, Section 10

Prohibits states from entering treaties, alliances, or confederations

Article 2, Section 1

Outlines powers and responsibilities of the President. Also defines the Electoral College.

Article 2, Section 2

Makes President commander in chief of the army and navy

Article 2, Section 3

The president has to provide state of the union”address

Article 2, Section 4

Establishes that the President and Vice president and cabinet will be impeached if they commit high crimes.

Article 3, Section 1

Establishes the supreme court

Article 3, Section 2

Describes the jurisdiction of the federal courts

Article 3, Section 3

Defines treason as levying war against the US

Article 4, Section 1

States have to honor the state laws and court orders of other states

Article 4, Section 2

States can’t discriminate against the citizens of other states

Article 4, Section 3

Congress can let states into the union but states can’t be formed within a state

Article 4, Section 4

Gives states a republican form of government

Article 5

Outlines process for amending the constitution

Article 6

The constitution and laws and treaties of the government are the highest of the land

Article 7

Declares the constitution as official law once 9 states ratify it.

Preamble

Introduction to the U.S. Constitution that outlines the goals and principles of the government. It begins with "We the People" and emphasizes justice, peace, defense, welfare, and liberty for all citizens.

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, petition

2nd Amendment

Right to bare arms

3rd Amendment

No quartering soldier

4th Amendment

Protect from unreasonable search and seizure

5th Amendment

Right against self incrimination

6th Amendment

Right to speedy public trial and representation

7th Amendment

Right to jury in civil cases

8th Amendment

Cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

The rights of people are not limited to the rights in the constitution

10th Amendment

The rights not in the constitution go to the states

Requirements to be in the House

* 25 years old
* US citizen for 7 years
* Live in the state they represent

Requirements to be in the Senate

* 30 years old
* US citizen for 9 years
* Live in the state they represent

11th Amendment

Prohibits federal courts from hearing certain lawsuits against states

12th Amendment

Made a series of adjustments for the electoral process, each elector must cast distinct votes for the president and vice president

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery

14th Amendment

Granted everyone born in the United States citizenship

15th Amendment

Gave citizens equal voting rights

16th Amendment

grants Congress the authority to issue an income tax without having to determine it based on population

17th Amendment

Allowed voters to cast direct votes for senators

18th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote

20th Amendment

If the elected president dies, the vice president becomes president

21st Amendment

Grants states control over the sale of liquor and structure of the liquor distribution system, overturns 18th amendment

22nd Amendment

Gives the president a maximum of two terms

23rd Amendment

Gave people in Washington DC appropriate voting rights

24th Amendment

Abolished federal taxes on voting

25th Amendment

If there is a vacancy for the vice president, the president gets to appoint someone that has to be approved by Congress

26th Amendment

Gives citizens aged 18 and over the right to vote

27th Amendment

Prevents members of Congress form granting themselves pay raises during the current session