US Constitution Packet

The US Constitution forms the basis of all American government, and therefore an in-depth knowledge of the details it is essential for your understanding of how our government works. With that in mind, complete the following graphic organizer using a copy of the US Constitution. If your text has a “Commentary” section associated with the Constitution, use that as an aid as well.

Amendment (A) / Section (S) / Question / Answer
A1 / S1 / The First Amendment protects 5 freedoms. They are… / 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The “freedom of religion” has two parts to it. List them. / 1. Gov’t shall make no law______
______
2. or prohibiting ______
______
A2 / S1 / What’s the basic freedom guaranteed in the 2nd Amendment?
Read closely though—copy the first phrase of the 2nd Amendment…
So I’m lost—is this Amendment protecting my right to have a gun or the state’s right to have a well-armed militia? How do you read it?
A3 / S1 / What’s the basic protection do citizens get from gov’t power in the 3rd Amendment?
But, when can troops be quartered in your house without consent?
What historical circumstances can you think of that led the Founding Fathers to adopt this Amendment?
A4 / S1 / What’s the basic protection do citizens get from gov’t power in the 4th Amendment?
When DON’T law enforcement agents need a warrant?
A5 / S1 / The 5th Amendment has A LOT going on in it. Let’s break it down…
If a person commits a serious federal crime, before their trial they must first be accused by a ______
Next is the “double jeopardy” clause—explain it.
Next is the “self-incrimination” clause—explain it.
Remember that “due process” essentially means a fair trial—what can’t be taken away without a fair trial?
Lastly, nor shall…
A6 / S1 / Amendment 6 lists rights that accused people have in criminal cases—list those basic rights / 1. What kind of trial?
2. Where?
3. Informed of…
4. Confronted by…
5. Compulsory process for…
6. Assistance of…
A7 / S1 / Amendment 6 lists rights that accused people have in civil or common law cases—list the basic right of this Amendment
A8 / S1 / This Amendment deals with punishment and has three protections against gov’t abuse… / 1.
2.
3.
A9 / S1 / Summarize the point of the 9th Amendment.
A10 / S1 / Why is this Amendment appropriately called the “states’ rights” amendment?
A11 / S1 / This is the first Amendment to “fix” a part of the USC that wasn’t working. What specific part of the USC did the 11th Amendment fix?
According to the 11th Amendment, who can be sued by who where?
A12 / S1 / WOW! The 12th Amendment is long, and is another “fix” amendment. Using the Commentary section, let’s try to make sense of it
What specific part of the USC did the 12th Amendment fix?
Originally under the UCS, Electors in the Electoral College cast ___ ballots—both for _____. The winner became _____ and the 2nd place vote getter became _____
In which election did this original plan create a problem (year)?
How does the 12th Amendment fix this?
What if no candidate wins the majority of electoral votes—how do we decide then?
If we get to the point in which the HoR is deciding the President, each state gets ____ vote.
A13 / S1 / The 13th Amendment does what?
A14 / S1 / The first part of this section establishes who is a citizen—all persons ____ or ____ in the US
The second part of this section tells the states that they may not deprive any person of _____ without ____ of law; nor can the state deny its residents _____ of the law.
A15 / S1 / States can’t deny males the right to vote because of someone’s _____, _____, or _____
A16 / S1 / The 16th Amendment expands Congress’ power and allows it to do what?
A17 / S1 / Here’s another “fix” amendment. What specific part of the original USC gets fixed?
Flip back to this part of the USC—how were Senators originally to be chosen for Congress?
So what’s the fix?
A18 / S1 / Obviously, the 18th Amendment no longer applies. But, what did it originally call for (five specific things regarding its subject)?
A19 / S1 / States can’t deny the right to vote based on ____
A20 / S1 / Another “fix” amendment. The original USC had the President’s start date as _____. This Amendment moves it to _____
S2 / This Amendment also changes the start date for Congress—the new date is _____.
Explain why this Amendment is called the “lame duck” amendment.
A21 / S1 / This amendment simply does what?
A22 / S1 / This amendment does what?
Which president’s long time in office prompted Congress to propose this Amendment?
A23 / S1 / Washington DC has long been a strange place—it’s not a state and thus has no electoral votes, but there are millions of people who live there. This Amendment gives Washington DC ____ electoral votes.
A24 / S1 / This Amendment tells the states that they can’t take away the right to vote in any election based on ______
A25 / S1 / This Amendment clarifies unclear language in the original USC. If the President dies, resigns, or is removed, the _____ becomes President
S2 / What happens if there’s a vacancy in the office of Vice President?
S3 / Let’s say the President is going to have major surgery and knows he’s going to be under anesthesia and therefore can’t “discharge his duties”. What does the President do to let everyone know? Who becomes acting President?
S4 / Let’s say the President is going crazy, or getting Alzheimer’s, or whatever—he’s losing it but is unaware of it. This Amendment explains how a crazy President can be removed. Explain it.
A26 / S1 / This Amendment tells the states that they must allow people over the age of _____ to vote.
A27 / S1 / This Amendment deals with compensation/pay for members of the HoR and Senators. Remember that Congress sets their own pay. This Amendment tells says what about pay raises?