Constitution & Amendments Flashcards
Covers the U.S. Constitution, its amendments, and articles.
What does Article V cover?
How to change the Constitution
What does Article I cover?
Creates the two parts of Congress. They are responsible for making laws
What does Article VII cover?
Explained how the Constitution was agreed to and corrections
What does Article II cover?
Creates the job of President, called the Executive. Responsible for enforcing the laws
What does Article VI cover?
Concerns how the United States laws and pledge should be respected
What does Article III cover?
Establishes Judges, called the Judiciary. They decide if a law is allowable, or if it goes against the Constitution
What does Article IV cover?
States’ Rights
What is original jurisdiction?
The right of a court to hear a case for the first time
18th Amendment
Prohibition of alcohol
15th Amendment
States cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race.
3rd Amendment
Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers during peacetime.
14th Amendment
(1) All persons born in the U.S. are citizens; (2) no person can be deprived of life, liberty or property without DUE PROCESS OF LAW; (3) no state can deprive a person of EQUAL PROTECTION of the laws.
24th Amendment
Abolishes poll taxes
5th Amendment
(1) No Self-Incrimination
16th Amendment
Power of Congress to tax income
23rd Amendment
Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no voting representation in Congress)
8th Amendment
Government cannot inflict cruel and unusual punishment.
13th Amendment
Abolished slavery.
4th Amendment
No unreasonable searches and seizures
1st Amendment
Freedom of religion (establishment & free exercise clauses), speech, press, assembly, and petition.
25th Amendment
(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job. (2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve
7th Amendment
Right to jury in civil trials.
20th Amendment
Congress begins on January 3rd; President starts on January 20th
19th Amendment
States cannot deny the right to vote based on gender
9th Amendment
Unenumerated Rights Amendment. Rights in addition to those stated in the Constitution. . Not everything can be written down. rights retained by the people
27th Amendment
congressional pay raises are not begun until the next election
10th Amendment
Powers not expressly given to federal government by the Constitution are reserved to states or the people.
26th Amendment
States cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)
12th Amendment
separation of votes for President and Vice President
21st Amendment
Repeal of Prohibition
6th Amendment
You have the right to a speedy trial. The right to counsel in criminal trials. You get a free lawyer (“public defender”). Right to jury in criminal trials.
22nd Amendment
Limits the president to two terms or 10 years.
11th Amendment
One State cannot be sued by another state
3/5 Compromise
In the Constitution, three-fifths of the enslaved population in each state would count for taxation and representation in Congress.
Constitution
Detailed written plan for government
Ratify
Approve
17th Amendment
Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms.
24th Amendment
Eliminated the Poll Tax that had kept many African Americans from voting
Free Exercise Clause
First Amendment requirement that law cannot stop the free exercise of religion
Establishment Clause
Clause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion.
Concurrent Powers
Powers given to both federal and state governments (like setting up courts and prisons, collecting taxes, etc)
Article II
Part of the Constitution that sets up the EXECUTIVE branch, whose job is to enforce laws - includes the President and Vice President.
Implied Powers
Powers given to the federal government that are not directly stated in the Constitution (like regulating pollution)
Due Process
Fair procedures set by law in the legal system.
