Lesson 6: Amending the Constitution Flashcards
Bill of Rights Definition
the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution
Civil Definition
related to lawsuits involving the private rights of individuals
First Amendment Definition
an amendment to the United States Constitution that safeguards basic individual liberties
Incriminate Definition
to give evidence against
Second Amendment Definition
an amendment to the United States Constitution related to the right to bear arms
Where does the House of Representatives and the Senate meet when discussing proposed amendments to the Constitution?
The House and Senate meet in the Capitol building when
discussing proposed amendments to the Constitution.
What are the two methods to propose an amendment to the Constitution, listed in Article V?
Article V outlines two ways to propose an amendment. An amendment may be proposed by two thirds of both the House and the Senate, or by a national convention called by Congress at the request of two thirds of the state legislatures. The second method has never been used.
What are the two ways an amendment can be ratified?
An amendment may also be ratified in one of two ways. An amendment may be approved by the legislatures of three fourths of the states. Every amendment but the Twenty-first was ratified using this method. In the second method, an amendment may be approved by special conventions in three fourths of the states. Not all amendments proposed by Congress have been ratified. In fact, Congress has proposed six amendments that the states refused to ratify.
What is the First Amendment?
The First Amendment safeguards basic individual liberties. It protects freedom of religion, speech, and the press. It also guarantees the right to assemble peacefully and to petition the government to change its policies.
Because of the First Amendment, you cannot be arrested for criticizing a government official. You can attend the house of worship of your choice or none at all. You can read newspapers that do not represent the views of an official political party. These freedoms are important in a constitutional republic because they allow citizens to make informed decisions and take part freely in political life. Still, there are limits on the First Amendment. For example, the government can limit free speech if there is “a clear and present danger,” such as in time of war. The First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of religion has a long history. Many colonists came to America to escape religious persecution. They wanted to be able to pray and worship freely. Today, Americans are allowed to practice religion as they please or not to practice religion, without fear of government interference. The guarantee of freedom of religion has remained a key American value.
What is the Second Amendment?
The Second Amendment states, “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
What is the Third Amendment?
The Third Amendment says that Congress may not force citizens to put up troops in their homes.
What does the Fourth Amendment state?
The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unlawful searches of home or property.
What is the controversy surrounding the Second Amendment?
Since early times, Americans have debated the exact meaning of the Second Amendment. Some believe that it guarantees individuals a basic right to bear arms. Others argue that it simply guarantees the individual states the right to maintain militias. The question of limits to gun ownership is one of the most complex and controversial constitutional issues facing Americans today.
What do the Fifth through Eighth Amendments deal with?
The Fifth through Eighth amendments deal with the rights of people accused of crimes.
What does the Fifth Amendment state?
The Fifth Amendment states that people cannot be forced to incriminate, or give evidence against, themselves.
What does the Sixth Amendment state?
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial, or fair, jury. It also states that people accused of crimes have the right to know the charges against them, as well as the right to confront the person making the charges.
What does the Seventh Amendment state?
The Seventh Amendment provides for juries for civil, or noncriminal, trials.
What does the Eighth Amendment state?
The Eighth Amendment forbids judges from ordering excessive bail or fines or “cruel and unusual punishments.”
What does the Ninth Amendment state?
Some Americans had opposed adding a Bill of Rights. They argued that, if specific rights were listed in the Constitution, Americans might lose other rights that were not listed. The Ninth Amendment solved that problem. It makes clear that a citizen’s individual rights are not limited to those listed in the Constitution.
What does the Tenth Amendment state?
The Tenth Amendment reaffirmed the framers’ plan to create a limited federal government. It states that all powers not given to the national government or denied to the states are reserved for the states or for the people.
What are the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments known as?
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments are known as the Civil War Amendments.
What is the Thirteenth Amendment?
The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery.
What is the Fourteenth Amendment?
The Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed citizenship to former slaves.
What is the Fifteenth Amendment?
The Fifteenth Amendment declared that states may not deny the vote to any citizen on the basis of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This guaranteed African American men the right to vote.
