Summary of the U.S Constitution Unit 8
Summary of the U.S Constitution Preamble, Seven Articles and 27 Amendments Main body of the Constitution is the Seven Articles Articles establish the branches of the federal government, how the government works Articles are a guide to how the federal government interacts w/ the citizens, states and people of the country
Article 1 Legislative Branch Outlines the legislative branch Lawmaking requirements for Congress Elastic clause (a statement in the Constitution giving Congress the power to do what is necessary and proper for carrying out its other powers) Forbidden powers Longest article
Article 2 Executive Branch Explains the presidential/ vice presidential duties Terms of office Succession Impeachment Oath of office Specific executive powers
Article 3 Judicial Branch Addresses the judicial powers of the U.S Addresses the judicial powers of the Supreme Court and other courts Specifics about judges Defines treason (a crime betraying one s country)
Article 4 - States and the Union Discusses how the states fit in w/ the plan of the federal govt. Sets requirements for new states Requirements of the federal govt. in respect to states
Article 5 - Amendments Explains how to amend the Constitution
Article 6 United States Constitution Supreme Explains how the federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Article 7 Ratifying Procedure Explains how the constitution was ratified (to confirm/ approve)
The 27 Amendments 1 st freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition 2 nd right to bear arms; refers to state militias 3 rd housing of soldiers 4 th no unreasonable search or arrest 5 th no person tired w/o grand jury indictment or punished twice for the same offense. Prohibits being a witness against your and guarantees due process of the law 6 th rights of accused in criminal cases 7 th trial by jury 8 th no excessive bail or cruel punishment 9 th people retain rights not listed in the Constitution 10 th power not given to the federal govt. is given to the people or states (very important for state govt._ *1 st ten amendments adopted in 1791 known as Bill of Rights
27 Amendments Cont. 11 th (1795) individual cannot sue a state in federal courts 12 th (1804) repeals part of Article 2 Section 1 Electoral College must cast separate ballots for president/ vice president 13 th (1865) abolished slavery 14 th (1868) all person born or naturalized in the U.S enjoy full rights 15 th (1870) states cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, creed or color
27 Amendments Cont. 16 th (1913) income tax amendment 17 th (1913) provides for the popular election of the U.S senators (repeals Article 1 Section 3) 18 th (1919) prohibition (no alcoholic beverages to be bought or sold in the U.S) 19 th (1920) women suffrage (gives all women who are U.S citizens the right to vote in all elections) 20 th (1933) changed the date the president takes office from March 4 th to January 20 th (4 year term); changed Congress to Jan. 3 rd
27 Amendments Cont. 21 st (1933) repealed prohibition and voided the 18 th amendment 22 nd (1951) no person shall be elected to the office of president more than twice 23 rd (1961) residents of Washington, D.C the right to vote in presidential election 24 th (1964) anti-poll tax (forbids taxing voters before they may vote in national elections) 25 th (1967) process for ailing president to pass the duties of office to the vice president and for filling of the vice president s office, when vacant
27 Amendments Cont. 26 th (1971) 18 year olds allowed to vote in federal/ state elections 27 th (1992) prohibits congress from voting itself mid-term raises
Selection Comparison How Chosen Term of Office House Senate President Supreme Court Elected Elected Elected Appt. by President 2 years 6 years 4 years Life or retirement Age Req. 25 min. 30 min. 35 min. NONE
Hidden Meanings of the Constitution President is elected by the electoral college Senate elected by the vote of all the people in the state Representatives are elected by people from one area of the state Federal judges are not elected by the people at all