Bill of Rights 1-5
What is the first amendment?
Protects five freedoms: religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
What is the sixth amendment?
Guarantees the right to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury, the right to counsel, and the right to confront witnesses.
What is the Preamble?
Describes the purpose of the Constitution
What is Article 1?
Sets up the legislature branch (Congress)
How many Articles are there?
7
What is the second amendment?
Protects the right to keep and bear arms.
What is the seventh amendment?
Provides for a jury trial in civil (non-criminal) lawsuits.
What are the Articles?
Describe the structure of the Federal government and how changes can be made
What is Article 2?
Sets up the Executive Branch (President)
How many total Amendments are there?
27
What is the third amendment?
Prevents the government from forcing citizens to quarter (house) soldiers in their homes
What is the eight amendment?
Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.
What are amendments?
Changes to the Constitution or Rights
What is Article 3?
Sets up the Judicial Branch (Courts/Supreme Court)
Who wrote the Constitution?
James Madison
What is the fourth amendment?
Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants based on probable cause.
What is the ninth amendment?
States that rights not specifically listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people.
What is the Virginia plan?
Proposed by James Madison, it called for a strong national government with three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) and a bicameral legislature where representation was based on population.
What is Checks and Blanaces?
Checks and balances are a fundamental U.S. government system ensuring no single branch—legislative, executive, or judicial—becomes too powerful. Established by the Constitution, this system allows each branch to limit, or "check," the actions of the others to maintain a balance of power, protecting against
The president has the power of what over congress?
Veto or say no
What is the five amendment?
Provides rights to a fair trial, prohibits double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime), protects against self-incrimination (right to remain silent), and ensures "due process of law"
What is the tenth amendment?
Reinforces federalism by stating that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.
What is the New Jersey Plan?
Offered by William Paterson as an alternative, it proposed a unicameral legislature where each state had one vote, favoring smaller states and maintaining a structure closer to the Articles of Confederation
What is Separation of Powers?
Separation of powers is a fundamental U.S. Constitution principle dividing government responsibilities into three distinct, co-equal branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any single group or person from gaining too much power
What power does the Judicial branch have over the Legislative branch?
Judicial Review - Can declare laws or acts unconstitutional