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The '''Constitution of the United States''' was written in 1787 in Philadelphia and ratified the following year. It is the second fundamental law of the United States of America, having replaced the Articles of Confederation. | The '''Constitution of the United States''' was written in 1787 in Philadelphia and ratified the following year. It is the second fundamental law of the United States of America, having replaced the Articles of Confederation. | ||
== Preamble == | == Preamble == | ||
The Preamble to the US Constitution contains '''popular sovereignty'''. In the past, it was common for power to rest in the hands of many gods such as the Greek gods or one god through a king (divine right of kings). | The Preamble to the US Constitution contains '''popular sovereignty'''. In the past, it was common for power to rest in the hands of many gods such as the Greek gods or one god through a king (divine right of kings). | ||
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== Article 1 (Legislature): 10 sections == | == Article 1 (Legislature): 10 sections == | ||
Article I is the longest of the 7 Articles of the US Constitution. It has 10 Sections. | Article I is the longest of the 7 Articles of the US Constitution. It has 10 Sections. | ||
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A legislative act that identifies an individual or group for punishment is in discord with the United States Constitution for being a bill of attainder. | A legislative act that identifies an individual or group for punishment is in discord with the United States Constitution for being a bill of attainder. | ||
<span style="background:pink">The Contract Clause places limits on the conduct of state governments</span> | <span style="background:pink">The Contract Clause places limits on the conduct of state governments</span>. | ||
=== Clause 2: Import-Export Clause === | === Clause 2: Import-Export Clause === | ||
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== Article 2 (Executive): 4 sections == | == Article 2 (Executive): 4 sections == | ||
Article II creates the executive branch of the US government. | Article II creates the executive branch of the US government. | ||
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== Article 3 (Courts): 3 sections == | == Article 3 (Courts): 3 sections == | ||
===Section 1: Inferior courts === | ===Section 1: Inferior courts === | ||
Article III, section 1, tasks '''Congress''' with establishing courts inferior to the federal Supreme Court. | Article III, section 1, tasks '''Congress''' with establishing courts inferior to the federal Supreme Court. | ||
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== Article 4 (States): 4 sections == | == Article 4 (States): 4 sections == | ||
Section 1 of Article IV of the US Constitution is known as the '''Full Faith and Credit''' Clause.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-constitution/v/article-iv-of-the-constitution?modal=1</ref> This means that, for example, a court judgment in state will be recognized (given credit) in another state. | Section 1 of Article IV of the US Constitution is known as the '''Full Faith and Credit''' Clause.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-constitution/v/article-iv-of-the-constitution?modal=1</ref> This means that, for example, a court judgment in state will be recognized (given credit) in another state. | ||
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== Article 5 (Amending): 1 ¶ == | == Article 5 (Amending): 1 ¶ == | ||
Article V describes the amendment procedure; it is only 1 paragraph (¶). | Article V describes the amendment procedure; it is only 1 paragraph (¶). | ||
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== Article 6 (Federal supremacy): 3 ¶ (clauses) == | == Article 6 (Federal supremacy): 3 ¶ (clauses) == | ||
=== Clause 1 (national debt) === | === Clause 1 (national debt) === | ||
Article VI, clause 1, contains the promise from the United States federal government that the nation will pay its debts incurred both under the Articles of Confederation (AoC) and this Constitution. | Article VI, clause 1, contains the promise from the United States federal government that the nation will pay its debts incurred both under the Articles of Confederation (AoC) and this Constitution. | ||
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== Article 7 (Ratification): 1 ¶ == | == Article 7 (Ratification): 1 ¶ == | ||
Article VII requires 9 out of 13 states (≈ 70%) in the 1780s to ratify the Consitution.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-7/</ref> In contrast, the Articles of Confederation (AoC) in the 1770s had required all 13 states (100% unanimous consent) for any amendment.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-constitution/v/article-vii-of-the-constitution?modal=1</ref> | Article VII requires 9 out of 13 states (≈ 70%) in the 1780s to ratify the Consitution.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-7/</ref> In contrast, the Articles of Confederation (AoC) in the 1770s had required all 13 states (100% unanimous consent) for any amendment.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-constitution/v/article-vii-of-the-constitution?modal=1</ref> | ||
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==1st Amendment (Basic freedoms)== | ==1st Amendment (Basic freedoms)== | ||
The [[First Amendment]] provides freedom of | The [[First Amendment]] provides freedom of | ||
# religion ('''Establishment Clause'''), | # religion ('''Establishment Clause'''), | ||
# <span style="background:yellow">speech</span>, | # <span style="background:yellow">speech</span>, | ||
# <span style="background:yellow">press</span>, | # <span style="background:yellow">press</span>, | ||
# assembly | # assembly, and | ||
# petition. | # petition. | ||
According to Michael W. McConnell, "speech" and "press" are related because the <span style="background:yellow">press</span> is <span style="background:yellow">speech</span> directed at large audiences.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-bill-of-rights-ncc/v/the-first-amendment?modal=1</ref> | According to Michael W. McConnell, "speech" and "press" are related because the <span style="background:yellow">press</span> is <span style="background:yellow">speech</span> directed at large audiences.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-bill-of-rights-ncc/v/the-first-amendment?modal=1</ref> | ||
==2nd Amendment (Firearms)== | |||
<span style="background:red"><big>A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.</big></span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-2/</ref> | <span style="background:red"><big>A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.</big></span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-2/</ref> | ||
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==3rd Amendment (Housing soldiers)== | ==3rd Amendment (Housing soldiers)== | ||
<span style="background:lime"><big>No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.</big></span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-3/</ref> | <span style="background:lime"><big>No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.</big></span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-3/</ref> | ||
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== 4th Amendment (Search & seize) == | == 4th Amendment (Search & seize) == | ||
People have a right against "unreasonable searches and seizures."<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/</ref> | People have a right against "unreasonable searches and seizures."<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/</ref> | ||
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== 5th Amendment (Self incrimination +...) == | == 5th Amendment (Self incrimination +...) == | ||
The 5th Amendment has 4 elements outlined below<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-bill-of-rights-ncc/v/the-fifth-amendment?modal=1</ref> plus the <span style="background:yellow">Takings Clause (which is related to the Due Process of taking property)</span>. | The 5th Amendment has 4 elements outlined below<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-bill-of-rights-ncc/v/the-fifth-amendment?modal=1</ref> plus the <span style="background:yellow">Takings Clause (which is related to the Due Process of taking property)</span>. | ||
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== 6th Amendment (Criminal prosecutions) == | == 6th Amendment (Criminal prosecutions) == | ||
According to 6th Amendment, the accused has a | According to 6th Amendment, the accused has a | ||
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== 7th Amendment (Civil proceedings) == | == 7th Amendment (Civil proceedings) == | ||
In many legal systems around the world, the judge decides a case in what is known as a bench trial. On the other hand, the jury trial was imported into the United States from the British common law. Accordingly, the 7th Amendment states that in <span style="background:pink">civil trials</span> "where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars [about $600 in 2022<ref>https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=US%2420+%281791+US+dollars%29</ref>], <span style="background:yellow">the right of trial by jury shall be preserved...according to the rules of the <big>common law</big>."</span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-7/</ref> | In many legal systems around the world, the judge decides a case in what is known as a bench trial. On the other hand, the jury trial was imported into the United States from the British common law. Accordingly, the 7th Amendment states that in <span style="background:pink">civil trials</span> "where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars [about $600 in 2022<ref>https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=US%2420+%281791+US+dollars%29</ref>], <span style="background:yellow">the right of trial by jury shall be preserved...according to the rules of the <big>common law</big>."</span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-7/</ref> | ||
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== 8th Amendment ([[Sentencing]]: punishment) == | == 8th Amendment ([[Sentencing]]: punishment) == | ||
<span style="background:orange">Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor '''cruel and unusual punishment'''s inflicted.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-8/</ref></span> | <span style="background:orange">Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor '''cruel and unusual punishment'''s inflicted.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-8/</ref></span> | ||
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== 9th Amendment (Unlisted rights) == | == 9th Amendment (Unlisted rights) == | ||
<span style="background:yellow">The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.</span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-9/</ref> | <span style="background:yellow">The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.</span><ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-9/</ref> | ||
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==10th Amendment (States' rights)== | ==10th Amendment (States' rights)== | ||
The Tenth Amendment provides states' rights.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-10/</ref> Nonetheless, the 14th Amendment will later expand the powers of the federal government.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-bill-of-rights-ncc/v/the-tenth-amendment?modal=1</ref> | The Tenth Amendment provides states' rights.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-10/</ref> Nonetheless, the 14th Amendment will later expand the powers of the federal government.<ref>https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics/us-gov-the-national-constitution-center/us-gov-the-bill-of-rights-ncc/v/the-tenth-amendment?modal=1</ref> | ||
== 11th Amendment: 1795 (Suing states) == | == 11th Amendment: 1795 (Suing states) == | ||
The 11th Amendment limits the judicial power of state courts.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/interpretation/amendment-xi/interps/133</ref> Federal and state courts normally don't have to hear suits against States.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-xi/interpretations/133</ref> This Amendment was adopted in response to ''[[Chisholm v. Georgia]]'' (1793): Chisholm was a South Carolina citizen filing a suit in SCOTUS against the state of Georgia. | The 11th Amendment limits the judicial power of state courts.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/interpretation/amendment-xi/interps/133</ref> Federal and state courts normally don't have to hear suits against States.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-xi/interpretations/133</ref> This Amendment was adopted in response to ''[[Chisholm v. Georgia]]'' (1793): Chisholm was a South Carolina citizen filing a suit in SCOTUS against the state of Georgia. | ||
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== 12th Amendment (Electoral College) == | == 12th Amendment (Electoral College) == | ||
The Twelfth Amendment was ratified in 1804 as a result of a tie in the Electoral College for the US presidential election. | The Twelfth Amendment was ratified in 1804 as a result of a tie in the Electoral College for the US presidential election. | ||
== 13th Amendment (Banning slavery): 2 Sections == | == 13th Amendment (Banning slavery): 2 Sections == | ||
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were passed after the U.S. Civil War. | The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were passed after the U.S. Civil War. | ||
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== 14th Amendment (Equal protection) == | == 14th Amendment (Equal protection) == | ||
=== Section 1 (Citizenship Clause) === | === Section 1 (Citizenship Clause) === | ||
The 14th Amendment, Section 1, Clause 1, contains the Citizenship Clause.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/#amendment-14-section-1</ref> | The 14th Amendment, Section 1, Clause 1, contains the Citizenship Clause.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/#amendment-14-section-1</ref> | ||
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== 15th Amendment (Men's vote) == | == 15th Amendment (Men's vote) == | ||
The 15th Amendment prohibited denial of the right to vote based on a citizen's race, color, or servitude; however, denial of the vote based on [[gender laws|gender]] was permissible (''[[Minor v. Happersett]]''). | The 15th Amendment prohibited denial of the right to vote based on a citizen's race, color, or servitude; however, denial of the vote based on [[gender laws|gender]] was permissible (''[[Minor v. Happersett]]''). | ||
== 16th Amendment (Income tax) == | == 16th Amendment (Income tax) == | ||
The Sixteenth Amendment (1913) was a result of the Progressive Era. | The Sixteenth Amendment (1913) was a result of the Progressive Era. | ||
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== 17th Amendment (Senate)== | == 17th Amendment (Senate)== | ||
The Seventeenth Amendment to Article I provides for the popular election of United States Senators.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-17/</ref> | The Seventeenth Amendment to Article I provides for the popular election of United States Senators.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-17/</ref> | ||
== 18th Amendment (Liquor prohibited 1919) == | == 18th Amendment (Liquor prohibited 1919) == | ||
The manufacture, sale, transportation, importation, or exportation of intoxicating liquors is prohibited.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-18/</ref> | The manufacture, sale, transportation, importation, or exportation of intoxicating liquors is prohibited.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-18/</ref> | ||
== 19th Amendment (Women's vote) == | == 19th Amendment (Women's vote) == | ||
A citizen has a right to vote regardless of sex.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-19/</ref> | A citizen has a right to vote regardless of sex.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-19/</ref> | ||
== | == 21th Amendment (Liquor allowed) == | ||
The 18th Amendment prohibition on liquors is repealed.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-21/</ref> | The 18th Amendment prohibition on liquors is repealed.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-21/</ref> | ||
== 22nd Amendment: 1951 (POTUS term limit) == | == 22nd Amendment: 1951 (POTUS term limit) == | ||
No citizen can serve as the President of the United States (POTUS) for more than 2 terms.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-22/</ref> | No citizen can serve as the President of the United States (POTUS) for more than 2 terms.<ref>https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-22/</ref> | ||
== 24th Amendment: 1964 (Poll tax) == | == 24th Amendment: 1964 (Poll tax) == | ||
Voter registration cannot be conditioned upon a poll tax.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-xxiv</ref> § 2 of the 24th Amendment contains its enforcement clause. | Voter registration cannot be conditioned upon a poll tax.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-xxiv</ref> § 2 of the 24th Amendment contains its enforcement clause. | ||
== 25th Amendment: 1967 (Succession) == | == 25th Amendment: 1967 (Succession) == | ||
§ 1 of the 25th Amendment lays out that the Vice President is supposed to succeed the POTUS.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-xxv</ref> | § 1 of the 25th Amendment lays out that the Vice President is supposed to succeed the POTUS.<ref>https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/amendments/amendment-xxv</ref> | ||
== 26th Amendment: 1971 (18-year-olds vote)== | == 26th Amendment: 1971 (18-year-olds vote)== | ||
The 26th Amendment giving the right to vote to 18-year-old people was proposed and ratified within 3 months in 1971 during the Presidency of Richard Nixon. | The 26th Amendment giving the right to vote to 18-year-old people was proposed and ratified within 3 months in 1971 during the Presidency of Richard Nixon. | ||
== 27th Amendment: 1992 (Congress salary) == | == 27th Amendment: 1992 (Congress salary) == | ||
The 27th Amendment was proposed in 1789 as part of the Bill of Rights and ratified in 1992—202 years afterwards. | The 27th Amendment was proposed in 1789 as part of the Bill of Rights and ratified in 1992—202 years afterwards. | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* https://constitution.congress.gov/ Constitution Annotated from the U.S. Congress | * https://constitution.congress.gov/ Constitution Annotated from the U.S. Congress | ||