Articles and Amendments of the Constitution

1. 13th, 14th & 15th are Civil Rights Amendments Articles and Amendments of the Constitution

2. Constitution contains 7 divisions called articles Each article covers a general topic Most articles are divided into sections The Articles

3. Article I deals with the legislative branch Sets forth rules, responsibilities, and rights for Congress Article I contains 10 sections Articlei

4. Article II deals with the executive branch Lists powers, duties, & qualifications of president, election of presidents, and provides for a vice president Article ii

5. Article III deals with the judicial branch Constitution only set up Supreme Court but provided for establishment of other federal courts Article III

6. Article IV deals with relations among states and nation Mentions equal citizen rights, admitting new states, and protection by the national government Article iv

7. Article V deals with the amendment process Lists the ways the Constitution can be amended or changed Article v

8. Article VI deals with national supremacy Establishes that Constitution, Congressional laws, and treaties of national government shall be supreme law Article vi

9. Article VII deals with ratification Declares that Constitution would take effect after ratified by 9 states Article vii

10. 27 total amendments First 10 amendments are known as “Bill of Rights” 1st amendments added in 1791; latest amendment was in 1992 The Amendments

11. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition Amendment i

12. Right to bear arms Right for states to regulate militia Why is the 2nd amendment’s meaning debated? Amendment ii

13. No quartering of troops in time of peace without consent of the owner Amendment iii

14. No unreasonable searches or seizures Government must have a warrant to search your property Amendment iv

15. 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 v

16. Right to a speedy, fair public trial Government must provide a lawyer if someone cannot afford one Why are speedy trials important? Amendment vi

17. Right to a civil trial with jury of your peers Amendment vii

18. Prohibits excessive bail Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment Amendment viii

19. Powers reserved to the people Not specifically mentioned in Constitution Allows freedoms to expand Amendment ix

20. Powers reserved to the states Protects the states and people from an all-powerful federal government Amendment x

21. This amendment abolishes the institution of slavery One of the “Civil War” amendments Amendment xiii (1865)

22. Every citizen has equal protection of the law Originally intended to protect freed slaves One of the “Civil War” amendments Amendment xiv (1868)

23. The right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude One of the “Civil War” amendments Amendment xv (1870)

24. Prohibition of alcoholic beverages Made it illegal to produce, sale, or transport alcohol in the U.S. Proved difficult to enforce Amendment xviii

25. Woman suffrage – right to vote Some states already allowed women to vote but this made it Constitutional for every state Amendment xix (1920)

26. Repeal of prohibition of alcohol Only amendment ever passed to overturn an earlier amendment Amendment xxi

27. Limit on presidential terms – only 2 terms can be served Due to Franklin Roosevelt’s election to 4 terms Amendment xxii

28. 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 xxiv (1964)

29. Makes the legal voting age 18 Until this amendment, the voting age was 21 Amendment xxvi (1971)