Amendments & Constitutional Changes
What is the Thirteenth Amendment?
This amendment officially abolished slavery in the U.S.
What is separation of powers?
The principle that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
What is the legislative branch?
The branch of government responsible for making laws.
What is Article I?
This Article establishes the legislative branch.
What amendment granted women the right to vote?
The Nineteenth Amendment
What are checks and balances?
The system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others.
What is the First Amendment?
The amendment that guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
What is the judicial branch?
The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.
What is Article V?
This Article outlines the process for amending the Constitution.
What is the Twenty-Second Amendment?
This amendment limits the number of terms a president can serve.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
The part of the Constitution that says it is the highest law in the country.
What is the right to a speedy and public trial?
The Sixth Amendment grants this right to accused individuals in criminal prosecutions.
What is the executive branch?
The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.
What is Article VI?
This Article establishes the supremacy of federal law over state law.
What is the Twelfth Amendment?
This amendment changed the process for electing the president and vice president.
What is federalism?
The sharing of power between the national and state governments.
What are cruel and unusual punishments?
The Eighth Amendment prohibits these two forms of punishment.
What is the Senate?
The president nominates Supreme Court justices, but this body confirms them.
What is treason?
According to Article III, this is the only crime specifically defined in the Constitution.
What is the Twenty-First Amendment?
The only amendment that repealed another amendment is this one.
What is judicial review?
The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is quartering of soldiers in private homes?
The Third Amendment prevents this military action during peacetime.
What is impeachment?
The Constitution grants this power to Congress that allows them to check the executive branch by bringing formal charges against officials.
What is the Privileges and Immunities Clause?
Article IV requires states to extend this legal principle to citizens from other states.