Bill of Rights
This amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the First Amendment?
This branch makes the laws.
What is the Legislative Branch?
In this constitutional role, the president leads the nation’s armed forces.
What is Commander in Chief?
A change or addition to the Constitution.
What is an amendment?
This 1776 document listed grievances against King George III and declared the colonies free and independent states.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms.
What is the Second Amendment?
This branch can override a presidential veto with a two‑thirds vote in both chambers.
What is the Legislative Branch?
Unlike treaties, these international agreements made by the president do not require Senate approval.
What are executive agreements?
The president’s power to reject a bill.
What is a veto?
This first U.S. governing document created a weak central government that could not tax or regulate trade.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
Under this amendment, evidence obtained without a proper warrant is often excluded from trial under the “exclusionary rule.”
What is the Fourth Amendment?
This branch can issue executive orders, but they can be struck down if found unconstitutional.
What is the Executive Branch?
This presidential power allows the executive to choose federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members, subject to Senate confirmation.
What is the appointment power?
The government must follow fair procedures before taking away life, liberty, or property.
What is due process?
Written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, these essays argued for the ratification of the Constitution.
What are the Federalist Papers?
This amendment protects against self‑incrimination and guarantees that the government must follow fair legal procedures before taking life, liberty, or property
What is the Fifth Amendment?
Members of this branch serve lifetime terms to ensure independence from political pressure.
What is the Judicial Branch?
This controversial power allows the president to withhold information from Congress or the courts for national security or confidentiality reasons.
What is executive privilege?
Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress.
What are enumerated powers?
This plan proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, influencing the structure of Congress.
What was the Virginia Plan?
This amendment is often called the “mystery amendment” because it protects rights not specifically listed in the Constitution, such as privacy.
What is the Ninth Amendment?
This branch has the sole power to impeach federal officials, while another branch conducts the trial.
What is the Legislative Branch (specifically the House of Representatives)?
This power allows the president to forgive federal crimes, even before a person is convicted.
What is the pardon power?
The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is judicial review?
This 1787 law established a process for admitting new states and banned slavery in certain U.S. territories.
What is the Northwest Ordinance?