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7 Articles and 27 Amendments

Terms in this set (44)

Preamble
the opening Purpose Statement of the Constitution
Article I
Constitutional Article that defines the powers of the Legislative Branch
Article II
Constitutional Article that defines the powers of the Executive Branch
Article III
Constitutional Article that defines the powers of the Judicial Branch
Article IV
Constitutional Article that governs relations among the states
Article V
Constitutional Article that sets out the Amendment process
Article VI
Constitutional Article that presents the scope (extent) of the Federal Government's powers
Supremacy Clause
Article VI clause that states that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and overrides state laws
Article VII
Constitutional Article that explains the process for ratifying (approving) the Constitution
Bill of Rights
the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution that protect individual rights and liberties under the law
bicameral
two bodies or houses of a legislature
unicameral
one body or house of a legislature
1st Amendment
protects the five specific rights to freedom of speech, religion, press (media sources), peaceable assembly, and petition (to ask)
2nd Amendment
the right to bear arms (weapons)
3rd Amendment
protection from being forced to quarter soldiers in times of peace, and in times of war only under certain conditions
4th Amendment
protection from unreasonable search and seizure
probable cause
what a government official must submit to judge in order to request a warrant to search a citizen
5th Amendment
the right to a Grand Jury, the protection from double jeopardy, the protection from self-incrimination, the right to due process of law and the explanation of Eminent Domain
double jeopardy
the instance of a person's liberty being threatened (put in jeopardy) twice for the same crime.
self-incrimination
the instance of a citizen testifying against himself before a court or government official
due process
the normal judicial process citizens have the right to when a crime is alleged
eminent domain
the right of the government to use private land for public purposes after reasonably compensating the private landowner
6th Amendment
the right to a speedy and public trial by jury, the right to be informed of the nature of a criminal accusation, the right to confront witnesses against you, the right to call witnesses on your behalf, the right to legal counsel (an attorney)
7th Amendment
the right to a trial by jury when two citizens are in dispute, and the amount of the lawsuit exceeds $20
8th Amendment
protection from cruel and unusual punishment, protection from excessive bail and fines
9th Amendment
since the Constitution cannot possibly list all the rights possessed by individuals, IMPLIED RIGHTS are still protected by this Amendment
10th Amendment
any right not given to the Federal Government or withheld from it in the Constitution is retained by states and citizens
11th Amendment
states have SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY, which is protection against legal action by other states, foreign governments or individual citizens
12th Amendment
sets up the process for electing the Executives (President/Vice-President)
13th Amendment
abolishes slavery in the U.S. and its territories
14th Amendment
states that all citizens of this country have the same and equal rights, and states cannot discriminate against these rights
15th Amendment
gives all people (except women) suffrage (the right to vote) regardless of race, color or previous condition as a slave
16th Amendment
establishes the Income Tax
17th Amendment
announces that Senators will be DIRECTLY ELECTED by citizens of the state in which that Senator runs for office
18th Amendment
Prohibition: prohibits the manufacture, sale, transport, export or import of intoxicating liquors
19th Amendment
Women's suffrage: women now have the right to vote
20th Amendment
Lame Duck Amendment shortening the time between election and formally taking office
21st Amendment
repeal of 18th Amendment (Prohibition)
22nd Amendment
limits the Executive to two four-year terms in office
23rd Amendment
establishes voting rights and representation in the District of Columbia
24th Amendment
abolishes the Poll Tax
25th Amendment
establishes Presidential succession (who will take the president's place if the president is incapable of serving)
26th Amendment
lowers the voting age from 21 to 18
27th Amendment
announces that when Congress votes itself a pay raise, that raise will not take effect until one full election cycle has passed
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