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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. Amendment v Guarantees “due process of law”
Procedures that the government must abide by when dealing with citizens
What is the function of a grand jury?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28. Amendment xxiv (1964) Abolition of the poll tax
Until this amendment, many states would keep low-income African-Americans from voting by making them pay a tax

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