U.S. Constitution • SSCG6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights. • Examine the Bill of Rights with emphasis on First Amendment freedoms. • Analyze due process law expressed in the 5th and 14th Amendments.
Preamble • Sets forth goals of the country We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
ARTICLES of the United States Constitution
Article OneLegislative Branch • Creates a bicameral, Congress • Includes a Senate and a House of Representatives.
Article TwoExecutive Branch • President and Vice-President • Chosen by Electoral College • Explains impeachment
Article ThreeJudicial Branch • Establishes Supreme Court (Congress sets up all others) • Requires trial by jury for all criminal cases, and defines the crime of treason.
Article FourState Relations • Defines how the states must work together • Full faith and credit • Extradition • Privileges & Immunities
ArticleFiveAmending the Constitution • Two step process • Proposal • Ratification (approval)
Changing the Constitution Changed 27 times by the rules • Step 1: Proposal • 2/3 of Congress • 2/3 of Constitutional Convention • Step 2: Ratification • 3/4 of state legislatures • 3/4 of state conventions
ArticleSixSupremacy Clause • Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. • Requires that all legislators, federal officers and judges take oaths to uphold the Constitution.
ArticleSevenRatification • 9 states will be needed to ratify (approve) the Constitution
Amendments to the Constitution Government
1st • Freedom of • Speech • Press • Petition • Assembly • Religion • Free exercise – practice any religion you want if it does not interfere with the law • Establishment clause – government can’t establish a national religion
2nd • Right to bear arms • (Can be regulated by the states through licensing laws, wait periods, etc)
3rd • No quartering of soldiers in times of peace
4th • No unreasonable search and seizure • Miranda warnings • Warrants
5th • Rights of the Accused • Can’t be forced to incriminate themselves • Right to a grand jury (decides there is enough evidence for trial) • Can’t be tried for the same offense of law twice (double jeopardy) • Right to due process (fair treatment) • People have the right to fair compensation when their property is taken by the government (eminent domain)
6th • Trial Rights • People accused of a crime • must be told what crimes they have been charged with • have the right to a speedy and public trial • have the right to a lawyer • have the right to question witnesses
7th • Civil cases (over money and property) disputing more than $20 have the right to a jury trial
8th • No cruel and unusual punishment, no excessive bail
9th • Rights of the Individual • Guarantees additional rights not specifically listed anywhere else in the Constitution • Right to privacy is often argued under the 9th
10th • Powers of the state • Any power not granted to the national government or denied to the states may be taken on by the states
11th • States can’t be sued by citizens from another state
12th • Election of the President & V.P. • Separate ballots for Pres & VP in electoral college
13th • Freedom to former slaves
14th • Citizenship Rights for all (including former slaves) • Due process Clause • Equal protection Clause
15th • Voting Rights • No discrimination on the basis of race
16th • Legalized income tax
17th • Direct Election of Senators • Before this, Senators were chosen by the state legislature
18th • Prohibition • Made it illegal to manufacture, sell and/or consume liquor
19th • Women can vote
20th • “Lame Duck” • Moved presidential inauguration to noon on January 20th • Moved start date of Congress to noon on January 3rd
21st • Overturned Prohibition • Repealed the 18th amendment and made liquor legal again
22nd • Presidential Term Limit • President can only be elected to 2 terms of 4 years each
23rd • Gave 3 electoral votes Washington DC in the race for president and vice president
24th • No poll taxes • You don’t have to pay to vote
25th • Presidential Disability • If Pres dies, VP becomes Pres • If VP dies, Pres picks a new one & Congress has to approve choice
26th • 18 year olds can vote
27th • Congressional pay • No pay raise until after they get re-elected
