Bill of Rights
The 6 goals found in the Preamble
-Provide for the common defense -Promote the general welfare -Establish Justice -Ensure domestic tranquility -Secure the blessings of liberty -To form a more perfect union
Ratifying Amendments
Amendments can be ratified by state legislatures, or state conventions
Executive Power
Belongs to the president
All amendments today have been proposed by:
Congress
The formal amendment process begins
Congress
9th Amendment
Declares that rights not mentioned in the constitution belong to the people.
3rd Amendment
Declares that the government may not require people to house soldiers during peacetime. Don't have to house soldiers in time of peace.
First three articles of the Constitution
Describe the 3 branches of government: legislative, judicial & executive
Federalism
Division of powers between the states and the federal (national,central) government.
5th Amendment
Guarantees that no one may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law due process- ____ Amendment
7th Amendment
Guarantees the right to a fair trial by jury in civil cases.
6th Amendment
Guarantees the right to a fair trial by jury in criminal cases.
Job of the Courts
Interpreting the meaning of citizens rights
10th Amendment
Powers not given to the national government belong to the sates or people.
8th Amendment
Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and punishments.
4th Amendment
Protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures.
2nd Amendment
Protects the right to possess firearms. Protects rights to bear firearms.
Miranda Warning
Rights under the 5th Amendment including the right to remain silent, be tried by jury, put up bail.
Concurrent Powers
That the national government has and the states may also have the same powers/privileges.
Protections against the abuse of power by the government
The bill of rights (The first 10 Amendments) offers protections against the abuse of power(tyranny) by the government.
Popular Sovereignty
The constitution is based on popular sovereignty
Anti-Federalists
They were afraid of tyranny b) wanted a bill of rights added to the constitution
1st Amendment
This Amendment protects 5 individual freedoms. Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and of the press; the right assemble peacefully; and the right to petition the government.
Agreements the delegates had at the Constitutional Convention
a national government was needed; b)power should be divided among 3 branches of government; c) the governments power should be limited
The amendments process takes a long time.
a) farmers wanted to make sure amendments were taken seriously; b) amendments must win a lot of support:2/3 of congress or a national convention must approve and 3/4 states must ratify.
Limits on the government's power
a) separation of powers; b) checks and balances; c) priority of federal law
Individual freedoms in the Bill of Rights
are listed in the 1st amendment.
Freedom of Petition
ask the government for help.
Organization of the Constitution
by articles