New Nation : Bill of Rights Flashcards
what is the first amendment?
The United States Congress can’t make any law about your religion, or stop you from practicing your religion, or keep you from saying whatever you want, or publishing whatever you want (like in a newspaper or a book). And Congress can’t stop you from meeting peacefully for a demonstration to ask the government to change something.
What is the second amendment?
Congress can’t stop people from having and carrying weapons, because we need to be able to defend ourselves.
What is the third amendment?
You don’t have to let soldiers live in your house, except if there is a war, and even then only if the United States Congress has passed a law about it.
What is the fourth amendment?
Nobody can search you without a good reason
What is the fifth amendment? (four points)
You can’t be tried for any serious crime without a Grand Jury meeting first to decide whether there’s enough evidence for a trial.
And if the jury decides you are innocent, the government can’t try again with another jury.
You don’t have to say anything at your trial. You can’t be killed, or put in jail, or fined, unless you were convicted of a crime by a jury.
And the government can’t take your house or your farm or anything that is yours, unless the government pays for it.
What is the sixth amendment?
Due Process ; The right to a fair trial, with a jury, lawyer, and a judge
What is the seventh amendment?
You have a right to a fair trial when it comes to civil cases (suing people)
What is the eighth amendment?
Criminals cannot be punished in inhumane ways, and cannot be bailed for a high fine.
What is the ninth amendment?
Just because those rights are listed doesn’t mean that you don’t have other rights that you are entitled to.
What is the tenth amendment?
Anything that the Constitution doesn’t say that Congress can do should be left up to the states, or to the people.
What do the ten amendments have in common?
They all prevent the government from abusing its power
Why are amendments nine and ten important?
They convey that the people are not entitled to only the rights that are stated in the constitution, that there are more rights provided for the people.
What was the purpose of the preamble?
The bill of rights was created in order to gain the people’s trust, and to show that the government will not be able to take advantage of the power that they have.
“We the People of the United States”
Self-government, consent of the governed, not a monarchy
“In Order to form a more perfect Union”
Creating the United States with a central government
“Establish Justice”
Creating a fair and equal legal system
“Insure domestic Tranquility”
Keep peace within the states
“Provide for the common defense”
Put together a professional army on volunteer basis
“Promote the general Welfare,”
Provide for people’s safety and wellbeing
“And secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves”
Freedom for themselves
“And our Posterity”
And Freedom for the future generations
“Do ordain and establish”
Make / create
“This Constitution for the United States of America”
Agreement to follow these instructions
What are Anti-Federalists?
People who feared a strong central government, and demanded the constitution to include a list of citizens’ rights
What are Federalists?
Insisted that the constitution was to be left alone and that they were enough to protect citizens’ rights.
What are the main categories of the rights that we are entitled to?
Individual freedoms, protections against government abuse and power, and rights of people accused of crime.
When was the Bill of Rights passed?
December 15, 1791
Which branch of government makes laws?
Legislative
Which branch of government does the supreme court belong to?
Judicial
Which branch of government can grant pardons?
Executive
Which branch of government has the power to hear all cases involving the law?
Judicial
Which branch of government can overrule all decisions made by lower courts?
Judicial
Which branch of government can veto laws?
Executive
Which branch of government has the power to send troops overseas, with the consent of the congress ?
Executive
Which branch of the government can impeach the president?
Legislative
Which branch of government can control federal taxation and money?
Legislative
Which branch of government can negotiate treaties?
Executive
Legislative Branch
Makes laws and bills; responsible for turning citizens’ wants and needs into laws.
Senate (Amount, Term Limit, Role)
Senate:
2 senators per state (100 total)
Unlimited terms
Acts as a court during impeachments
House of Representatives (Amount, Term Limit, Role)
House of Reps:
Number fluctuates based on state population
2 year per term
All bills that raise money must start with this.
Executive Branch
Carries out laws.
Judicial Branch
Interprets laws and decide whether they are unconstitutional
NY Senators
Charles Schumer
Kristen Gillibrand
NY Reps
Grace Meng
Joseph Crowley
