Amendments (1-10)
1st-
2nd-
freedom of religion, speech, petition, and assembly
right to bear arms
11th
states are protected from being sued by citizens of another state
16th
established federal income tax
21st
repeal of the prohibition
Basic principles of the Constitution
Popular sovereignty- government power lies in the people
limited government- government is not all powerful
separation of powers- checks and balances (no one branch has more power)
federalism- supports the constitution
3rd-
4th-
no quartering of soldiers
no illegal searches or seizures
12th
separate balloting for president and vice president
17th
direct election of U.S. senators
22nd
presidents are limited to 2 terms
Branches of government
executive- enforces laws (President)
legislative- makes laws
judicial- interprets laws
5th-
6th-
protection against self incrimination and double jeopardy, protection of due process and the right to a grand jury.
right to a speedy and public trial, impartial jury and right to counsel
13th
abolition of slavery
18th
prohibition
23rd
D.C. given presidential electors
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson- father of the Declaration of Independence
James Madison- father of the Constitution
7th
8th
right to a trial by jury in common law cases
protection against cruel and unusual punishment, no excessive bail
14th
granted former slaves citizenship and equal protection
19th
women have the right to vote
24th
25th
poll tax becomes illegal
made vice president the successor for the president
Federalists vs anti federalists
Federalists- Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
Anti Federalists- Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry
9th
10th
the enumeration of the Constitution won't be used against the people
reserved powers to the states
15th
African-American men could vote
20th
president and vice president's term begins on January 20th and no longer in March
26th
27th
voting age is 18
congressional pay raise will only take place after the next election
Structure of the Constitution
Preamble Article 1- Legislative Branch, Representatives- every 2 years, Senators- every 6 years, Congress- collect taxes, override vetoes, order for more money, declare war
Article 2- Executive Branch, President and Vice President, President- Natural Born citizen, lived here for 14 years, and at least 35 (grant pardons, and ensures that laws are upheld)
Article 3- Judicial Branch, Judicial branch serves for life (unless they step down or are impeached.), Cases involving ambassador
Important article- Supremacy clause- federal is always above state