US Constitution
U.S. Constitution Structure
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Preamble: Introduction
Articles 1-7: LEJSASR - Outline the
branches of government, amendment
and bill process
27 Amendments: changes to the
Constitution
o Bill of Rights are the 1st ten
amendments & guarantee civil
liberties.
PRINCIPLES of the CONSTITUTION
1. Popular Sovereignty – “people rule”
2. Limited Gov’t – gov’t is no all powerful
3. Separation of Powers –gov’t power is
divided into 3 branches
4. Checks and Balances – each branch
makes sure the others are not too
powerful (ex: Pres vetoes bill of
Congress)
5. Federalism – gov’t power is divided into
levels – one national gov’t and many
state gov’ts.
Types of Powers = Federalism
Delegated Powers – Powers
given to the federal government.
(Expressed, Implied, Inherent)
Reserved Powers – Powers
that the US Constitution does
not grant to the fed. govt. but
does not deny
Concurrent Powers – Powers
that both the National and
States governments possess and
exercise.
Clauses of the Constitution
1. Supremacy Clause – Federal law is
supreme to state law
2. Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause –
Congress is given the power to do all
things necessary and proper to carry out
their powers
3. Full Faith and Credit Clause – States must
recognize laws, public records and court
decisions of other states
4. Establishment Clause – A state cannot
establish a religion
5. Free Exercise Clause – Citizens can
practice whatever religion they want
6. Equal Protection Clause (14th Amend.) –
A state cannot discriminate against its
citizens
AMENDMENT PROCESS
Idea
2/3rd Congress or national
convention must PROPOSE
3/4th States or State
Legislatures RATIFY
=
AMENDMENT
U.S. Constitution Amendments
(27 TOTAL)
1- Religion
Assembly
Petition
Press
Speech
2- Right to bear arms
3- Quartering troops
4- Search and seizure
5- Self-incrimination
Indictment
Due Process
Eminent Domain
Double Jeopardy
6- Speedy trial & right to a lawyer
7- Juries for Civil Suits
8- Bail (prevents cruel and no
unusual punishment
9- Power to the people (right to
privacy); unremunerated rights
10- Powers to the states
11- Suits against States
12- Electoral College
13- Abolishes slavery
14- Defines citizenship (due
process)
15- African American suffrage
16- Income Tax
17- Direct election of Senators
18- Prohibition (illegal to drink)
19- Women can vote
20- Reduce lame duck period
21- Drinking is legal
22- Two-terms for the president
23- D.C.gets 3 electoral votes
24- Eliminates poll tax
25- Presidential secession
26- Lowers the voting age to 18
27- Congressional pay limited