The Basics
This document, written in 1787, created the framework for the U.S. government.
What is the Constitution?
This branch of government makes the laws for the United States.
What is the Legislative Branch?
A change or addition to the Constitution is called this.
What is an amendment?
The first ten amendments are known as this.
What is the Bill of Rights?
This amendment guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
What is the 1st Amendment?
The first part of the Constitution that begins with “We the People.”
What is the Preamble?
This branch is headed by the President and enforces U.S. laws.
What is the Executive Branch?
This is how much of Congress must agree to suggest a new amendment.
What is two-thirds?
This amendment abolished slavery.
What is the 13th Amendment?
This amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.
What is the 4th Amendment?
The system where each branch can limit the powers of the others.
What are checks and balances?
This group of people in Congress has the sole power to try impeachment cases.
What is the Senate?
There are this many total amendments to the Constitution.
What is 27?
This amendment gave women the right to vote.
What is the 19th Amendment?
This amendment protects citizens from having soldiers forced to live in their homes during peacetime.
What is the 3rd Amendment?
The President can reject a bill passed by Congress using this power.
What is the veto power?
This principle divides power between the national and state governments.
What is federalism?
For a proposed amendment to become part of the Constitution, this fraction of state legislatures must say yes.
What is three-fourths?
This amendment guarantees equal protection under the law.
What is the 14th Amendment?
This amendment limits the president to two terms in office.
What is the 22nd Amendment?
This principle divides the government into three branches to prevent abuse of power.
What is separation of powers?
This article outlines the process for amending the Constitution
What is Article V?
This process allows the Constitution to adapt over time through proposals and ratifications.
What is the formal amendment process?
This amendment lowered the voting age to 18.
What is the 26th Amendment?
This amendment, ratified in 1868, guarantees that no state may deny any person equal protection under the law.
What is the 14th Amendment?