Political Science 01

Dr. Castro, Professor

Chapter Two: The Constitution

Articles 1-7
1. (Congress)
Article one establishes Congress it has two houses, The Senate and the House of
Representatives. They make the laws.
2. (Executive)
Article two establishes the Executive Branch it has the Presidency and the
Bureacracy. They carry out and enforce the laws.
3. (Judicial)
Article three establishes the Judicial Branch it has the Supreme Court and the
Lower Courts. They interpret and protect the Constitution.
4. (Relations)
Article four establishes the relations between the states and between the states and
the Federal (Central or National) Government.
5. (Change)
Article five establishes the Amendment Process to change the Consititution.
6. (Supreme)
Article six establishes the Constitution as the Supreme law of the land.
7. (Ratification)
Article seven establishes Ratification of the Constitution by 3/4ths of the states.
Bill of Rights: (1st 10 Amendments to the Constitution).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition government.

Right to keep and bear arms.
Prohibits keeping of troops in private homes without consent.
Prohibits unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause.
Rights of the accused: guarantees due process, protects against self-incrimination
and double jeopardy, requires grand jury indictment.
6. Right to a speedy and public trial, impartial jury, counsel and cross examination of
witnesses.
7. Right to trial by jury in civil cases.
8. Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, unreasonable bail.
9. Rights not listed in Constitution retained by the people.
10.Powers not delegated by Constitution to Federal Government belong to the states
and the people.

Amendents: (11-27)

11.Prohibits citizen lawsuits against States (threat to sovereignty). Does not prohibit
suits against state fficials.
12. Requires separate electoral vote for President and Vice President.
13. Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.
14. Defines rights of U.S. citizenship and applies those rights to states; equal protection
of the laws and due process of law.
15. Right to vote cannot be denied on basis of race, color or previous servitude.
16. Power of Congress to lay and collect taxes individual income tax.
17. Requires popular election of two Senators from each state to serve in U.S. Senate.
18. Prohibits manufacture, sale and transportation of alcohol. Prohibition
19. Right to vote cannot be denied on basis of gender.
20. Sets fixed date of presidential term and beginning of new congressional session.
21. Repeals the 18th amendment Prohibition.
22. Establishes limit of two elected terms (four years each) for President of U.S.
23. Permits citizens residing in District of Columbia to vote in Presidential elections.
24. Prohibits use of poll tax to deter citizens (African Americans) from voting.
25. Establishes succession to office of presidency: vice president, speaker of the house.
26. Right to vote cannot be denied on account of age 18 or older.
27. Members of Congress prohibited from raising salaries during terms in which they
serve.