US Constitution Amendments

Amendments

• A constitution can be amended, or changed, through a formal process
• Amendments are used to update the constitution to reflect changing societal values and needs
• In the United States, there are two ways to propose amendments:
  • 2/3 majority vote in both the House and Senate
  • National convention called by 2/3 of state legislatures
• Amendments must be ratified, or approved, by 3/4 of state legislatures or by conventions in 3/4 of states

Separation of Powers

• The principle of separating power among three branches of government:
  • Legislative (lawmaking)
  • Executive (law enforcement)
  • Judicial (law interpretation)
• This system is designed to provide checks and balances on each branch's power
• Each branch has some authority over the actions of the other branches
• This prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful

Bill of Rights

• The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution
• These amendments guarantee individual liberties and protections
• Key rights include:
  • Freedom of speech and religion
  • Right to bear arms
  • Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
  • Right to a fair trial
  • Protection against cruel and unusual punishment

Federalism

• A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and smaller regional governments
• In the United States, federalism is the division of power between the federal government and the states
• The federal government has authority over matters that affect the entire country, such as foreign policy and national defense
• States have authority over matters that affect only their citizens, such as education and transportation

Judicial Review

• The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and government actions unconstitutional
• This power is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but was established by the Supreme Court in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• Judicial review allows the Supreme Court to ensure that the other branches of government are acting within their constitutional authority
• It is a key component of the system of checks and balances in the US government

Amendments

• A constitution can be amended through a formal process to reflect changing societal values and needs
• Two ways to propose amendments in the US:
  • 2/3 majority vote in both the House and Senate
  • National convention called by 2/3 of state legislatures
• Amendments must be ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures or by conventions in 3/4 of states

Separation of Powers

• Separation of power among three branches of government:
  • Legislative (lawmaking)
  • Executive (law enforcement)
  • Judicial (law interpretation)
• Designed to provide checks and balances on each branch's power
• Each branch has authority over the actions of the other branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

Bill of Rights

• First 10 amendments to the US Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and protections
• Key rights include:
  • Freedom of speech and religion
  • Right to bear arms
  • Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
  • Right to a fair trial
  • Protection against cruel and unusual punishment

Federalism

• System of government dividing power between central authority and smaller regional governments
• In the US, power is divided between the federal government and states
• Federal government has authority over matters affecting the entire country, such as foreign policy and national defense
• States have authority over matters affecting only their citizens, such as education and transportation

Judicial Review

• Power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and government actions unconstitutional
• Established by the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
• Ensures that other branches of government are acting within their constitutional authority
• Key component of the system of checks and balances in the US government

This quiz covers the process of amending the US Constitution, including proposing and ratifying amendments. It also touches on the concept of separation of powers.