U.S. Constitution amendments

• The main body of the Constitution is divided into 7 parts called articles.
• 27 amendments have been made to the Constituion.
• The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, added in 1791.
• Sixth Amendment: Guarantees the right to a speedy trial, prevents unlawful imprisonment and trial delays.
• Seventh Amendment: Guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil cases where damages exceed $20, addressing disputes between citizens.
• Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail or fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
• Ninth Amendment: Recognizes that Americans have rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution, acting as a safeguard for other important rights.
• Tenth Amendment: Affirms that powers not given to the U.S. government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people.
• Thirteenth Amendment: Became law in 1865, abolishing slavery and other forms of forced labor.
• Fifteenth Amendment: Ratified in 1870, ensuring that states cannot deny citizens the right to vote based on race or color.
• The Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote.
• A principle is a fundamental truth serving as the foundation for a system of beliefs and for US government.
• Key Principles of the US Constitution include: Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Federalism, Republicanism, and Individual Rights.
• Majority Rule: The concept that decisions are made based on what more than 50% of people want.
• Separation of Powers divides governmental authority among the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
• Seperation of Powers: Article 1 addresses the Legislative branch, Article 2 focuses on the Executive Branch, and Article 3 details the Judicial Branch.
• The Legislative Branch, also called Congress, is responsible for passing laws and consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• The House of Representatives, known as the "lower house," consists of 435 members based on population.
• The Senate, known as the "upper house," comprises 100 members, with 2 from each state.
• The Executive Branch includes the President, Vice President, Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, regulatory commissions, and federal bureaucracy.
• The Executive Branch enforces laws to ensure compliance.
• The Judicial Branch, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, is responsible for interpreting laws.
• The Supreme Court is the highest court in the federal judiciary.
• Limited Government dictates that everyone, including government members, must follow the law.
• Popular Sovereignty means the government is controlled by the people, who have the right to alter or abolish the government.
• Federalism is a system where powers are shared by national and state governments.
• Republicanism: Citizens elect representatives who exercise judgment but are responsive to the people's views.
• Veto: When a president denies a bill becoming a law by not signing it.
• Override: The process by which Congress can bypass a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses.
• Impeach: To accuse a government official of wrongdoing.
• Judicial Review: It allows judges to declare a law unconstitutional.
• The power of Judicial Review comes from the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison in 1803.
• Citizen: A person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protections.
• Naturalized: The process of granting citizenship to someone who meets the official requirements.
• Immigrant: A person who enters another country to settle there.
• Resident alien: A person living in a country where they are not a citizen.
• Jury duty is a citizen's responsibility to serve on a jury.

Branches of Government

• The legislative branch's organization and powers are described.
• The selection process and responsibilities of the President (executive branch) are detailed.
• Functions of the Supreme Court are outlined.
• Responsibilities of one state in relation to another are addressed.
• Requirements for amending the Constitution are specified.
• The Constitution's laws are supreme and must be followed without opposition.
• The process for ratifying the Constitution is established.
• Three Branches of Government: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (court systems including the Supreme Court).

Terms of Office

• President's term: 4 years.
• Senators' term: 6 years.
• Representatives' term: 2 years.
• Judges remain in office until resignation, retirement, death, or removal through impeachment.
• Checks and balances are implemented.

Key Figures

• Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist 78, described the judiciary as the least dangerous branch, lacking both purse and sword.
• The Framers considered Congress the most dangerous branch due to its extensive enumerated powers.
• President Andrew Jackson expressed disagreement with a Supreme Court opinion, asserting his power.

DBQ, Image, Quote, Writing

• Bill of Rights: first 10 amendments.
• Amendments 6-10 + 13, 15 & 19 noted.