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1. A Background to the Constitutional Convention
What is the Constitutional Convention?The Constitutional Convention, which is also known as the Philadelphia Convention, was a conference that took place in Philadelphia in the year 1787 between May 5th and September 17th; the ratification of the Constitution of the United States signaled the end of the Constitutional Convention – this convention was called in order to solidi..2. A Complete Overview of Amendments
An Amendment is a change that is made to the U.S. Constitution in order to adapt a regulation or expand on the rights of individuals and groups. AmendmentAn amendment is a change that can be made to a document. Even the Constitution of the United States has the ability to be changed through Amendments. The Founding Fathers understood the necessity for a governing system th..3. A Complete Overview of the Preamble
The Preamble to the United States Constitution is one of the most
well-known and oft-quoted parts of the entire Constitution, if only for the
opening quote of "We the People..." It is, based purely on length, a
relatively insignificant part of the Constitution as a whole and yet, based on
meaning, it is highly significant.
The Preamble helps scholars, lawyers,..
4. A Full Overview of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was authored in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson with the help of fellow political leaders, such as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Ratified on July 4th, 1776, the Declaration of Independence became the first political doctrine of its kind, advocating for a governing body whose purpose was to serve the citizens that it represented - a contrast to the B..5. A Overview of the Constitutional Convention
The Background of the Constitutional Convention and Prior AttemptsThe precepts set forth in the Articles of Confederation, both on a legislative level as well as a national level, had all but languished the United States. Due to the general unrest in interstate relations, as well as a growing animosity on the part of a majority of the European world powers, all as a result of a..6. A Quick Overview on Filling of Vacancies
A
contentious and closely followed element of modern American politics is the Supreme
Court nominee approval process, all the more so because it occurs outside the
timetable of fixed deadlines and comes up only infrequently. One of the
relevant issues in the selection of Supreme Court nominees is the consideration
of when such a procedure is necessary.
In this
regard,..7. A Series of Checks and Balances
Following the defeat of the British forces in the Revolutionary War in 1776, the United States of America was eager to declare their sovereignty from the monarchy of King George III. Resentment towards a totalitarian governmental body was a sentiment that was shared throughout the nation. The Continental Congress was eager to establish a doctrine that would
solidify the Unite..
8. An Overview of Article 1 of the Constitution
Background
A bicameral legislature simply refers to a
particular body of government that consists of two legislative houses or
chambers. In certain variations, a bicameral system may include two
parliamentary chambers. The overall purpose behind bicameral legislature is to
provide for representation for both the citizens of a country, as well as the
state legislatures o..
9. An Overview of Article 3 of the Constitution
The creation of the United States Supreme Court came about through Article III, on "The Judicial Branch", of the Constitution. The essential concept of a United States Supreme Court is dealt with in Section 1, "Judicial powers", while the operation of the United States Supreme Court toward the American legal system as a whole is dealt with in Section 2, "Trial by Jury, Original..
10. An Overview of Constitutional Amendments
First Amendment
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances."
Proving to be one the most important and fundamental rights granted to the..
11. An Overview of the 10th Amendment
Tenth Amendment: Principle of Federalism through the provision of powers not granted to the federal government nor prohibited to the individual states.What is the Tenth Amendment?The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.The Tenth Amendment Defined:The Tenth Am..12. An Overview of the 11th Amendment
Eleventh Amendment:State’s Sovereign ImmunityWhat is the Eleventh Amendment?The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.The Eleventh Amendment Defined:The Eleventh Amendment is the fir..13. An Overview of the 12th Amendment
Twelfth Amendment: Outlines procedure for electing the President and Vice President of the United States.What is the Twelfth Amendment?The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for a..14. An Overview of the 13th Amendment
What is the 13th Amendment?“Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”The 13th Amendment DefinedDate ProposedTh..15. An Overview of the 14th Amendment
What is the 14th Amendment?“Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, li..