Key terms
a change to the written words of the Constitution
What is Article V?
This spells out many basic rights and liberties.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Gave women the right to vote.
What is the 19th Amendment?
Congress passes laws to fill in details when the Constitution is not specific enough.
What is basic legislation?
the act of approving a proposed amendment
What is ratification?
This part of the formal amendment process is done by 2/3 of congress or national conventions.
What is how an amendment is proposed?
This freedom is protected under the first amendment, but be careful! If you shout fire into a crowded theatre for fun, you will get in trouble!
What is freedom of speech?
This amendment prohibited alcohol and was later repealed by this amendment.
What are the 18th and 21st amendments?
The courts interpret the Constitution in cases they hear.
What is court decisions?
a body made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments that advises the President
What is the Cabinet?
This part of the amendment process is done by 3/4 of state legislatures or by conventions in 3/4 of the states.
What is how an amendment is ratified?
If you are accused of a crime, this amendment gives you the right to not incriminate yourself. Just make sure you say these words:
What is the 5th Amendment and "I plead the 5th!"?
This was the last amendment added to the Constitution, dealing with Congressional pay, in 1992.
What is the 27th Amendment?
Presidents use powers not clearly given to them by the Constitution.
What is executive action?
the body of electors that makes the formal selection of the President
What is the electoral college?
The amendment process reflects this constitutional principle, because the federal and state government must work together to amend the constitution.
What is federalism?
This BoR amendment says that the federal government only has the powers mentioned in the Constitution. If it is not listed, it belongs to the states or to the people.
What is the 10th Amendment?
These amendments were a result of the Civil War; the abolished slavery, defined citizenship in the US, and established that the right to vote could not be denied based on race.
What are amendments 13, 14, and 15?
Government officials follow unwritten traditions as if they are rules.
What are customs?
a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state
What is an executive agreement?
The amendment process reflects this constitutional principle, because the people elect representatives who vote to propose or ratify amendments.
What is popular sovereignty?
Hold on, you better make sure the police have a warrant to search your home or they might be violating this BoR amendment!
What is the 4th Amendment?
This amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 after significant wars and protest in the United States.
What is the 26th Amendment?
Parties decide how candidates for President are nominated. They also influence the government in other ways.
What are party practices?