Articles by Eleanor Stratton

The Emoluments Clause, articulated in the U.S. Constitution, serves as a safeguard designed to bar federal officeholders from receiving any gifts, offices, titles, or emoluments from foreign states without congressional consent. Embedded within this legal framework are two distinct provisions: the...

The period leading to the ratification of the 14th Amendment was marked by the Civil War and the Abolitionist Movement. This amendment, introduced in 1866 and ratified in 1868, was aimed primarily at securing the rights of newly freed slaves. The Abolitionist Movement helped spark the Civil War,...

The early American colonists' concerns and experience with military power significantly shaped the drafting of the Second Amendment. The English Bill of Rights of 1689 had previously laid ground that protestants may bear arms as suited to their conditions, based largely on tensions over how the...

The Eighteenth Amendment emerged from a century-long temperance crusade, rooted in social reform and moral aspiration, with ratification achieved on January 16, 1919. This legal act prohibited alcohol production, sale, and transportation. The temperance movement, originally propelled by concerns...

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,” which primarily signifies a prohibition against the government establishing a state-backed religion or showing preference for one religion over...

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States, establishing a framework for governance and delineating the structure, powers, and limitations of the federal government. It divides power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches . The Constitution features a Preamble,...

"I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy." — George Washington This quote captures George Washington's advocacy for truthfulness in all aspects of life. Upholding honesty, whether managing personal relationships or steering...

John Adams once underscored the gravity of moral authority in governance, stating, Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases. This assertion highlights the essential balance between power held and the moral...

Presidential absolute immunity shields a sitting president from civil lawsuits stemming from actions within the “outer perimeter” of official duties. Established in notable cases such as Nixon v. Fitzgerald , the doctrine finds its roots in the needs of efficient government functioning under a...

The First Amendment, influenced by the philosophical ideals of the Enlightenment, reflects the passionate debates that shaped the American republic. Figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison , inspired by Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke , advocated for the virtues of freedom and...

The Constitution for Kids (8th-12th Grade)

This file is intended for students in grades 8 through 12. Other versions of this page are available: The Constitution for Kids: Kindergarten through 3rd Grade The Constitution for Kids: 4th through 7th Grade Pictures of the Constitution The main site Want to change this page’s colors? Choose a...

The Constitution for Kids (4th-7th Grade)

This file is intended for students in grades 4 through 7. Other versions of this page are available: The Constitution for Kids: Kindergarten through 3rd Grade The Constitution for Kids: 8th through 12th Grade Pictures of the Constitution The main site Want to change this page’s colors? Choose a...

The Constitution for Kids (Kindergarten

This file is intended for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Other versions of this page are available: The Constitution for Kids: 4th through 7th Grade The Constitution for Kids: 8th through 12th Grade Pictures of the Constitution The main site If you have any questions about any words or...

U.S. Constitution – Amendment 4 The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly...

U.S. Constitution – Amendment 5 No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor...

U.S. Constitution – Amendment 6 In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be...

U.S. Constitution – Amendment 7 In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the...

U.S. Constitution – Amendment 8 Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Notes for this amendment: Proposed 9/25/1789 Ratified 12/15/1791 | Home | | Constitution | | FAQ | | Topics | | Forums | | Documents | | Timeline | |...

U.S. Constitution – Amendment 9 The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Notes for this amendment: Proposed 9/25/1789 Ratified 12/15/1791 | Home | | Constitution | | FAQ | | Topics | | Forums | | Documents |...

U.S. Constitution – Amendment 22 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the...