Popular Sovereignty: The people are the ultimate source of government power.

Federalism: Power is shared between the national and state governments.

Separation of Powers: Government power is divided among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial.

2nd Amendment: Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. It was meant to allow citizens to form militias and protect themselves.

3rd Amendment: Prohibits the government from housing soldiers in private homes during peace without consent. It protects citizens’ privacy and property.

4th Amendment: Guards against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Police must have a warrant or probable cause to search property.

5th Amendment: Protects individuals from double jeopardy and self-incrimination. It guarantees due process and fair treatment in legal proceedings.

6th Amendment: Ensures the right to a speedy, public trial by an impartial jury. It also gives the accused the right to an attorney and to confront witnesses.

7th Amendment: Guarantees a jury trial in certain civil cases. It preserves the traditional role of the jury in resolving disputes.

8th Amendment: Forbids excessive bail, fines, and cruel or unusual punishments. It ensures fairness and humane treatment under the law.

9th Amendment: States that people have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution. It protects unenumerated rights from government infringement.

10th Amendment: Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states or the people. It reinforces the principle of federalism.

12th Amendment: Revises the procedure for electing the president and vice president. It ensures they are chosen together on separate ballots.

13th Amendment: Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. It marks a major step toward civil rights and equality.

14th Amendment: Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection under the law. It was key in expanding civil rights after the Civil War.

15th Amendment: Prohibits denying voting rights based on race, color, or previous servitude. It aimed to protect African American men’s right to vote.

16th Amendment: Authorizes Congress to collect income taxes. This gave the federal government a major new source of revenue.

17th Amendment: Establishes the direct election of U.S. senators by the people. It made the Senate more democratic and accountable.

18th Amendment: Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. It began the era known as Prohibition.

19th Amendment: Grants women the right to vote. It was a huge milestone for gender equality in the U.S.

20th Amendment: Changes the start dates for presidential and congressional terms to reduce the “lame duck” period. It sets January 20th as the president’s inauguration day.

21st Amendment: Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition. It allowed alcohol sales and consumption to become legal again.

23rd Amendment: Grants Washington, D.C. residents the right to vote for president and vice president. It gives the District electoral votes similar to a state.

24th Amendment: Bans poll taxes in federal elections. This prevented discrimination against poor and minority voters.

25th Amendment: Establishes rules for presidential succession and filling vice-presidential vacancies. It also clarifies what happens if a president becomes disabled.

26th Amendment: Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18. It was passed during the Vietnam War, recognizing that young people old enough to fight should be able to vote.

27th Amendment: Prevents congressional pay raises from taking effect until after the next election. This stops lawmakers from immediately benefiting from their own salary increases.

Checks and Balances: Each branch can limit the powers of the others to maintain balance.

Limited Government: The government only has the powers given to it by the Constitution; everyone must follow the law.

Individual Rights: Personal freedoms and rights are protected by the Bill of Rights and other amendments.

Republicanism: Citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.

“To form a more perfect Union” – Strengthen the country by improving cooperation among the states.

“Establish Justice” – Create a fair legal system where laws apply equally to everyone.

“Insure domestic Tranquility” – Maintain peace and order within the country.

“Provide for the common defence” – Protect the nation from foreign threats and attacks.

“Promote the general Welfare” – Support the well-being of all citizens through public services and economic stability.

“Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” – Protect the rights and freedoms of all people now and in the future.

Reserved Powers: Belong to the states, such as running schools or holding elections.

Concurrent Powers: Shared by both, like taxing or enforcing laws.

Article I – Legislative Branch: Creates Congress (House of Representatives and Senate) and gives it the power to make laws. It outlines how members are chosen and what powers Congress has.

Article II – Executive Branch: Establishes the presidency and explains the powers and duties of the president. It includes how the president is elected and how they can be removed.

Article III – Judicial Branch: Sets up the Supreme Court and the federal court system. It defines their authority to interpret laws and handle cases under the Constitution.

Article IV – Relations Among States: Describes how states must respect each other’s laws and citizens. It also outlines how new states can be admitted.

Article V – The Amendment Process: Explains how the Constitution can be changed or added to. This allows the Constitution to adapt to future needs.

Article VI – National Supremacy: Declares the Constitution the “supreme law of the land.” It means federal law overrides state law when there’s a conflict.

Article VII – Ratification: States that the Constitution becomes official when nine of the thirteen states approve it. It marked the transition from the Articles of Confederation to the new U.S. government.