Citizenship and Amendments Flashcards
Amendment 1
Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition.
Amendment 2
Protects the right to bear arms and a well-regulated militia
Amendment 3
People cannot be forced to house or quarter soldiers
Amendment 4
Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Police must have a warrant.
Amendment 5
Protects people from being held for commiting a crime until they are properly accused. Double jeopardy - you can’t be tried twice for the same crime. Self-incrimination - you don’t have to testify against yourself in court.
Amendment 6
Guarantees a speedy trial, impartial jury, and lawyer. The accused can confront witnesses against them.
Amendment 7
Guarantees the right to a speedy civil trial (no laws were broken).
Amendment 8
Protects against cruel and unusual punishments. Extraordinarily large fines will not be set.
Amendment 9
Powers reserved to the people. Prevents the government from claiming that the only rights people have are those listed in the Bill of Rights.
Amendment 10
Powers reserved to the states. Protects the states and the people from an all-powerful federal government. All powers not given to the national government belong to the states or the people.
Amendment 11
Prohibits federal courts from hearing trials where states are being sued by someone from another state or country. (Sovereign immunity.)
Amendment 12
If there was a tie in a general election, the House of Representatives would vote for the president. The Senate would vote for the vice president.
Amendment 14
Defines citizenship. No person in the government can rebel against the government. States can’t deny people their natural rights. Representatives should be proportional to the states.
Amendment 13
Slavery and involuntary servitude are abolished.
Amendment 15
African-American men can vote.
Amendment 16
The government can tax citizens based on their income.
Amendment 17
Senators are elected by the state’s popular vote. Each state gets two senators in the Senate. Senators serve for six years. Each Senator gets one vote.
Amendment 18
Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.
Amendment 19
Women can vote.
Amendment 20
The President and Vice President transition is now on January 20. The Congress transition is on January 3.
Amendment 21
Reverse the effects of amendment 18.
Amendment 22
A president cannot serve more than two terms. Nobody who became president during someone else’s term can be elected more than once.
Amendment 23
The electors in the electoral college are equal to the number of representatives and senators put together per state. The people in Washington D.C gained the right to vote for president.
Amendment 24
Prohibited poll taxes (taxing people for voting in the general election).
Amendment 25
If the president were to die, there is a line of succession to take his place. (Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, ect.)
Amendment 26
All citizens aged 18 and above are allowed to vote.
Amendment 27
No laws concerning the salaries of the members of Congress may be passed until the beginning of the next term of office for the Representatives.
How many amendments are there?
27 amendments
How many amendments are encompassed in the Bill of Rights?
First ten amendments
What is a duty?
Obligations citizens are required to perform by law.
What is a responsibility?
Responsibilities are voluntary tasks citizens should fulfill, but don’t have to.
What is a right?
Rights are the freedoms citizens have that are protected by the laws.
List some responsibilities of a citizen.
Work towards the common good. Vote. Hold a position in government. Participate in election campaigns. Educate yourself throughout life.
List some duties of a citizen.
Pay taxes. Obey the laws. Go to school. Defend the nation. Serve on a jury or as a witness.
What is required to become a U.S citizen?
Read in English. Write in English. Pass a test. Take the Oath of Allegiance.
Under what circumstances can someone become a U.S citizen?
Somebody can become a U.S citizen if they are naturalized or were less than 18 years old when their parents were naturalized. Naturalization is the process to become a U.S citizen. If the person was born in the U.S or one of their parents is already a U.S citizen, they are also automatically a U.S citizen.
Can someone lose their citizenship? If so, under what circumstances?
Natural-born citizens cannot lose their citizenship. However, naturalized citizens can lose their citizenship if they commit treason or try to overthrow the U.S government.
What is the percentage that must be earned to pass the naturalization test?
You must get six out of the ten questions (60%) correct to pass.
