1. Amendments

2. 1 st 10 Amendments known as the Bill of Rights Dealt with the rights of individuals before the Constitution 1 st Amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, speech, the right to assemble, and to petition the Government. 2 nd Amendment = right to bear arms 3 rd Amendment created to prevent a repeat of Britain’s Quartering Act of 1765

3. Amendment (cont.) The 6 th Amendment dictates that a jury must hear both sides of a case before deciding on guilt. 7 th Amendment preserves the right to a jury trial whenever the figure exceeds $20. 13 th Amendment outlawed slavery in the United States. 14 th Amendment prevents states from passing laws that take away the rights of citizens

4. Amendments (slide 3) 15 th Amendment – the rights of a citizen to vote cannot be denied because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude (slavery) 16 th Amendment allows for the passage of Income Taxes. 17 th Amendment = direct election of Senators 21 st Amendment repealed the 18 th Amendment (prohibition) 19 th Amendment gave women the right to vote.

5. Amendment (take 4) 20 th Amendment changed the first meeting date of Congress to January 3 rd. 22 nd Amendment limits Presidents to 2 terms of office. 23 rd Amendment allowed residents of Washington DC to vote in federal elections 24 th Amendment outlawed the use of Poll Taxes being paid in order to vote. 25 th Amendment stipulated the conditions in which the Vice President assumed the duties of the President

6. Other Questions Separation of powers is mainly a way of preventing a dictatorship Cabinet members must be nominated by the President and then approved by the Senate to be appointed to their post. The President can order armed intervention abroad but must gain Congressional approval. If a President returns an unsigned Bill after 10 days, Congress can pass it with a 2/3 vote of each house.

7. Other Questions (pt. deux) The President can make rules with the force of law only if Congress empowers him to do so. The best illustration of American Federalism is the regulation of commerce. Congress regulates interstate commerce while the state regulate commerce within the state. The fewest number of representatives a state can have in Congress is: –3 (2 in the Senate and 1 in the House or Representatives)