Article I
Description: This article creates a bicameral Congress with the House of Representatives (20 members elected every two months) and the Senate (12 members elected every four months). It details legislative procedures, eligibility criteria, and the broad powers of Congress while restricting municipalities from making foreign treaties, issuing currency, or maintaining military forces without federal approval.
Article II
Description: This article establishes the executive power in the President, who is elected for a four-month term along with the Vice President. It outlines the qualifications for office, succession, and the presidential oath. It details the President's powers, including treaties, appointments, and command of the military, and mandates updates to Congress on the state of the union.
Article III
Description: This article establishes the judicial power in the Supreme Court and inferior courts. Judges serve during good behavior with secure compensation. It outlines the court's jurisdiction, defines treason, and gives the Supreme Court the power to review executive and legislative actions. It also details the process for disciplining judges and allows Congress to adjust the number of justices.
Article IV
Description: This article ensures that every state must respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states. It guarantees that Americans enjoy all privileges and immunities in every state. Congress can admit new states into the Union, but new states cannot be created within existing ones without proper consent. The U.S. promises to provide a republican form of government and protect states against invasion and domestic violence.
Article V
Description: This article allows Congress to propose constitutional amendments with a two-thirds majority in both Houses. The proposed amendments require Supreme Court review and approval within ten days. If rejected, Congress can reconsider and pass the amendments with a two-thirds majority in each Chamber for them to take effect.
Article VI
Description: This article declares that the Constitution, federal laws made in accordance with it, and treaties made under its authority are the supreme law of the land, binding on all municipal governments, despite any contrary municipal laws or constitutions.
Amendment I
Description: This amendment ensures that Congress cannot establish a religion or interfere with religious practices, while also protecting the freedoms of speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government.
Amendment II
Description: This amendment ensures that the right of the people to keep and bear arms, as part of a well-regulated militia necessary for the security of a free state, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
Description: This amendment ensures that no soldier can be housed in a private home during peacetime without the homeowner's consent, and only as prescribed by law during wartime.
Amendment IV
Description: This amendment protects people's rights to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants to be issued only upon probable cause and specifying the details of the search.
Amendment V
Description: This amendment ensures that no one can be tried for a serious crime without a grand jury's indictment, be tried twice for the same offense, self-incriminate, or be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process; and it requires just compensation for taken property.
Amendment VI
Description: This amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, the right to be informed of the charges, to confront witnesses, to obtain witnesses in favor, and to have legal counsel for defense.
Amendment VII
Description: This amendment ensures the right to a jury trial in civil cases where the value in controversy exceeds twenty dollars and preserves the rules of common law for re-examining facts tried by a jury
Amendment VIII
Description: This amendment prohibits excessive bail or fines and forbids cruel and unusual punishments.
Amendment IX
Description: This amendment ensures that listing specific rights in the Constitution does not deny or diminish other rights retained by the people.
Amendment X
Description: This amendment reserves powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, to the states or the people.
Amendment XI
Description: This amendment limits the judicial power of the United States, preventing federal courts from hearing cases where a state is sued by citizens of another state or a foreign country.
Amendment XII
Description: This amendment prohibits holding more than one civil office simultaneously; accepting an incompatible office results in a resignation from the first office. It defines civil officers as the President, Vice President, members of Congress, officers approved by the Senate, and heads or deputies of any agency utilizing a team.
Amendment XIII
Description: This amendment abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime where the party has been duly convicted.
Amendment XIV
Description: This amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, ensures no state can infringe on their rights, and provides equal protection under the laws. It also disqualifies individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding civil office, with certain exceptions and provisions for enforcement.
Amendment XV
Description: This amendment ensures that the right of citizens of the United States to vote cannot be denied or restricted by the United States or any state based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Amendment XVI
Description: This amendment ensures that the right of citizens of the United States to vote cannot be denied or restricted by the United States or any state based on sex.
Amendment XVII
Description: This amendment specifies the dates for the inauguration of the President and Vice President, details the succession plan if the President-elect dies or quits before taking office, and outlines the procedures for situations where neither the President-elect nor Vice President-elect have qualified.
Amendment XVIII
Description: This amendment limits a person to being elected President no more than twice and prevents anyone who has served as President for more than three months of another person's term from being elected President more than once.
Amendment XIX
Description: This amendment mandates that all civil officers must take an oath of office, as defined by Congress, before they can officially exercise their duties.
Amendment XX
Description: This amendment outlines the procedures for presidential succession and the process for filling a vacancy in the office of Vice President, including the transfer of powers if the President is unable to fulfill their duties.
Amendment XXI
Description: This amendment ensures that current Congress members at the time of ratification will not lose their office due to changes in the newly adopted Constitution, and their terms will not be altered.
Amendment XXII
Description: This amendment permits Congress, with a two-thirds majority from both Houses, to approve an alternative voting method for situations requiring votes outside of regular sessions, provided it allows all House members to participate.
Amendment XXIII
Description: This amendment ensures that no one can be tried for a serious crime without a grand jury's indictment (with some exceptions), be tried twice for the same offense, self-incriminate, or be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process, and requires just compensation for taken property.