The Constitution of the United States

All of the amendments of the Constitution and the outline. Basic straight to the point definitions.

Outline

Preamble, Article I, Article II, Article III, Article IV, Article V, Article VI, Article VII

Bill of rights contain which amendments?

Amendments 1-10

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, Freedom of religion (establishment clause and free exercise clause), freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and right to petition the government

2nd amendment

The right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

Soldiers will not be quartered in someone’s home without their consent

4th Amendment

Protection from unreasonable search and seizures; warrant required for search or probable cause is required

5th amendment

Person can only be tried for a crime when indicated by a grand jury; double Jeopardy (a person can not be tried for the same crime twice); Person does not have to testify against themselves (the right to remain silent); Cannot be deprives of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of the state and district in which the crime was committed; defendant must be informed of the charges against them; defendants have the right to question their accuser and the witnesses against them; defendant has the right to call their own witnesses; right to a counsel (aka right to an attorney)

7th Amendment

Right to a trial by jury in civil cases

8th amendment

Protection against excessive bail and fines; protection from cruel and unusual punishments

9th amendment

Unenumerated rights- just because some rights are not listed here does not mean someone doesn’t have them.

10th amendment

Powers not given to the national government by the Constitution are reserved to the states (reserved powers)

11th amendment

Limits ability of citizens to sue states in federal courts

12th amendment

Revised Electoral College; Runner-up in Presidential Election no longer VP

13th amendment

Abolished slavery

14th Amendment

Anyone born in the US is a citizen which was intended to make ex-slaves citizens (overturned the Dred Scott Case); No STATE can deprive someone of life, liberty, or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; no STATE can deny anyone the EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws; insurrectionist ban- a person cannot run for office if they have engaged in rebellion or insurrection against the United Stages; Repeals the 3/5th compromise

15th Amendment

Black Sufferage

16th Amendment

Authorizes Federal Income Tax

17th Amendment

Popular election of senators

18th Amendment

Prohibition of liquor

19th amendment

Women’s sufferage

20th amendment

“Lame Duck” Amendment; term for president ends at noon on January 20th of the appropriate year; terms for Senators and representatives ends on January 3rd of the appropriate year

21st Amendment

Repealed Prohibition

22nd amendment

Two-term limit for president

23rd amendment

Right to vote in D.C.

24th amendment

Prohibits poll taxes

25th amendment

presidential succession; VP vacancy- President shall nominate a new VP, both houses of Congress must approve; Procedure for Presidential disability

26th amendment

Voting age lowered to 18

27th amendment

Congressional pay raises must take place in the session after they were passed