articles and amendments of the constitution

ARTICLES AND AMENDMENTS

OF THE CONSTITUTIO

N13th, 14th & 15th are Civil Rights Amendments

THE ARTICLES Constitution contains 7 divisions called articles

Each article covers a general topic

Most articles are divided into sections

ARTICLE I Article I deals with the legislative branch

Sets forth rules, responsibilities, and rights for Congress

Article I contains 10 sections

ARTICLE II Article II deals with the executive branch

Lists powers, duties, & qualifications of president, election of presidents, and provides for a vice president

ARTICLE III Article III deals with the judicial branch

Constitution only set up Supreme Court but provided for establishment of other federal courts

ARTICLE IV Article IV deals with relations among states and nation

Mentions equal citizen rights, admitting new states, and protection by the national government

ARTICLE V Article V deals with the amendment process

Lists the ways the Constitution can be amended or changed

ARTICLE VI Article VI deals with national supremacy

Establishes that Constitution, Congressional laws, and treaties of national government shall be supreme law

ARTICLE VII Article VII deals with ratification

Declares that Constitution would take effect after ratified by 9 states

THE AMENDMENTS 27 total amendments First 10 amendments are known as “Bill of Rights”

1st amendments added in 1791; latest amendment was in 1992

AMENDMENT I Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition

AMENDMENT II Right to bear arms Right for states to regulate militia

Why is the 2nd amendment’s meaning debated?

AMENDMENT III No quartering of troops in time of peace without consent of the owner

AMENDMENT IV No unreasonable searches or seizures

Government must have a warrant to search your property

AMENDMENT V Guarantees “due process of law”

Procedures that the government must abide by when dealing with citizens

What is the function of a grand jury?

AMENDMENT VI Right to a speedy, fair public trial

Government must provide a lawyer if someone cannot afford one

Why are speedy trials important?

AMENDMENT VII Right to a civil trial with jury of your peers

AMENDMENT VIII Prohibits excessive bail

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment

AMENDMENT IX Powers reserved to the people

Not specifically mentioned in Constitution

Allows freedoms to expand

AMENDMENT X Powers reserved to the states

Protects the states and people from an all-powerful federal government

AMENDMENT XIII (1865) This amendment abolishes the institution of slavery

One of the “Civil War” amendments

AMENDMENT XIV (1868) Every citizen has equal protection of the law

Originally intended to protect freed slaves

One of the “Civil War” amendments

AMENDMENT XV (1870) The right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude

One of the “Civil War” amendments

AMENDMENT XVIII Prohibition of alcoholic beverages

Made it illegal to produce, sale, or transport alcohol in the U.S.

Proved difficult to enforce

AMENDMENT XIX (1920) Woman suffrage – right to vote

Some states already allowed women to vote but this made it Constitutional for every state

AMENDMENT XXI Repeal of prohibition of alcohol

Only amendment ever passed to overturn an earlier amendment

AMENDMENT XXII Limit on presidential terms – only 2 terms can be served

Due to Franklin Roosevelt’s election to 4 terms

AMENDMENT XXIV (1964) Abolition of the poll tax Until this amendment, many states would keep low-income African-Americans from voting by making them pay a tax

AMENDMENT XXVI (1971) Makes the legal voting age 18

Until this amendment, the voting age was 21