This right which "shall not be infringed" was intended to ensure people always had a way to defend themselves from a tyrannical government, but has become controversial in modern times.
What is the 2nd Amendment?
Mostly associated with speech, this amendment also protects religion, the press, peaceful assemblies, and the redress of grievances.
What is the 1st Amendment?
The Article which lays out the powers and responsibilities of the President and the Executive branch.
What is a Veto?
Double Jeopardy!
This Supreme Court decision ruled that slaves did not have the same rights as citizens, granting more power to slave holders and driving the country closer to war.
What is Dred Scott v. Sandford?
This amendment, often confused with the one that protects people from unlawful imprisonment, guarantees due process, such as a fair and speedy trial by a jury of your peers and the ability to confront witnesses.
What is the 6th Amendment?
This amendment prevents the government from placing soldiers in your home without your permission.
What is the 3rd Amendment?
This Article not only outlines the powers of the Judicial Branch, it also gives a description of treason and gives Congress the power to punish those guilty of it.
What is Article III?
This Check allows the Supreme Court to review and invalidate laws or executive orders if they feel that they violate the Constitution.
What is Judicial Review?
This decision ruled that people could be rounded up and held based on their race for the safety of the country during a war, however was later acknowledged as unconstitutional.
What is Korematus v. United States?
This Amendment prevents the government from searching or seizing your property without without a warrant.
Double Jeopardy!
This Amendment allows you to call for a jury trial in civil or "common" law cases as long as the dispute involves an amount over twenty dollars.
What is the 7th Amendment?
This article describes the powers of the legislative branch and outlines the relationship between the States and the Federal government.
This Check allows Congress to bypass a presidential veto if a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate agree.
What is a 2/3 Override?
This decision by the Court requires Law Enforcement agents to inform you of your 5th Amendment rights before officially questioning you about a crime.
What is Miranda v. Arizona?
This amendment protects people from excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishments.
What is the 8th Amendment?
This Amendment prevents a person from being imprisoned without an indictment, being forced to testify against themselves, being put on trial for the same crime twice, and the taking of their property without compensation.
This Article covers national debt and contains the "Supremacy Clause" which allows federal laws to override State laws that contradict them.
What is Article VI?
This Check allows the House of Representatives to gather evidence and an charge the President or other appointed official with a crime, leading to a trial in the Senate for the removal of the accused.
Considered the first "landmark" case, this decision established the principle of Judicial Review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
What is the 9th Amendment?
This Amendment places a limit on the Constitution, stating the powers not given to the federal government belong to the States.
What is the 10th Amendment?
Often called the "catch all" article, this article covers the keeping of public records, extradition, the creation of new states, and the guarantee of federal protection if one State tries to invade another.
What is Article IV?
This Check requires the President and the Senate to work together in order to select appointed members of the Executive branch, federal judges, and members of the President Cabinet.
What is Conformation/Congressional Approval?
This Court decision cited the "necessary and proper" clause, ruling that Congress could establish a National Bank and that States could not tax it.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?