AP Gov Checks and Balances, Bill of Rights, Constitution

AP Gov Checks and Balances, Bill of Rights, Constitution 

Bill of Rights 

1st Amendment:

• Freedom of 

  • Religion, speech, press, assembly 

• Right to 

  • Petition the government 

2nd Amendment:

• Right to 

  • Bear arms 

3rd Amendment: 

• No quartering of soldiers in civilian homes 

4th Amendment:

• No unreasonable search and seizure (without warrant)

• No issuing of warrants without probable cause 

5th Amendment: 

• Rights of Accused: 

  • No double jeopardy 

  • Right to remain silent (not testify against oneself)

6th Amendment: 

• Rights of persons on trial:

  • Right to a speedy trial by jury 

  • Right to be informed of charges 

  • Right to be confronted by witnesses 

7th Amendment: 

• Right to trial by jury in civil causes (suing; plaintiff can be you)

8th Amendment: 

• Protection against: 

  • Excessive bail 

  • Excessive fines 

  • Cruel and unusual punishment 

9th Amendment: 

• People’s rights are not limited to the ones listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment: 

• Powers not granted to the Federal Government in the Constitution belong to the states or the people 

(Fed Gov powers = delegated, state gov powers= reserved)

Constitution

Article 1: Legislative Branch (Congress)

Article 2: Executive Branch (President)

Article 3: Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)

Article 4: State Powers

• States can make and carry out their own laws, states must respect and work with other states 

Article 5: Amendments 

• The Constitution can be changed, new amendments can be added 

Article 6: Federal Powers

• The Constitution and federal laws are superior to state and local laws (supremacy clause)

• All laws must agree with US Constitution

Article 7: Ratification

• Representatives from 12/13 states signed the Constitution at Constitutional Convention and from Sep 1787 to July 1788 the states met and voted to ratify the Constitution 

Checks and Balances

Three Branches: Legislative Executive Judicial 

• All performing checks on each other 

Checks the LEGISLATIVE Branch PERFORMS on other branches: 

Checks the EXECUTIVE Branch PERFORMS on other branches: 

Checks the JUDICIAL Branch PERFORMS on other branches: