U.S. Government Timeline - EV

  • Declaration of Independence

    Declaration of Independence
    The official document formed to declare independence from Britain.
  • The Articles of Confederation

    The Articles of Confederation
    The Articles of Confederation is a document that was made after the U.S. claimed independence to decide how the country would be run.
  • The Constitution

    The Constitution
    The Constitution is a document made to replace the Articles of Confederation. It introduces a new way of running the country, and is still in effect today.
  • The Era of Dual Federalism

    The Era of Dual Federalism
    The Era of Dual Federalism is when federal and state governments divide their power
  • Bill of Rights

    Bill of Rights
    The Bill of Rights is known as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These ten rights are created specially to protect the people.
  • The First Amendment

    The First Amendment
    The First Amendment protects the rights to religion, speech, the press, petitioning the government, and assembly
  • The Second Amendment

    The Second Amendment
    The Second Amendment gives the right to citizens to bear arms
  • The Third Amendment

    The Third Amendment
    The Third Amendment keeps soldiers from staying in citizens homes without their consent
  • The Fourth Amendment

    The Fourth Amendment
    The Fourth Amendment keeps people from being unreasonably stopped and searched
  • The Sixth Amendment

    The Sixth Amendment
    The Sixth Amendment gives the right to a fast and public trial
  • The Fifth Amendment

    The Fifth Amendment
    The Fifth Amendment provides the right to a jury trial, the right to a fair trial, protection from double jeopardy, and protection from self-incrimination
  • The Seventh Amendment

    The Seventh Amendment
    The Seventh Amendment gives the right to a jury in a civil case
  • The Eighth Amendment

    The Eighth Amendment
    The Eighth Amendment protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail and fines
  • The Ninth Amendment

    The Ninth Amendment
    The Ninth Amendment says that the rights in the Constitution do not limit other rights of the people
  • The Tenth Amendment

    The Tenth Amendment
    The Tenth Amendment says the government can only use the powers listed in the Constitution, and that all other powers belong to the states or the people
  • The 11th Amendment

    The 11th Amendment
    The 11th Amendment says that courts cannot hear certain cases where a citizen sues the state
  • Marbury v Madison

    Marbury v Madison
    Marbury v Madison was a Supreme Court case that established judicial review
  • The 12th Amendment

    The 12th Amendment
    The 12th Amendment says that the vice president and president have to have separate votes casted on them
  • McCulloch v. Maryland

    McCulloch v. Maryland
    McCulloch v. Maryland was a Supreme Court case that allowed Congress the power to establish a national bank
  • Gibbons v Ogden

    Gibbons v Ogden
    Gibbons v Ogden says that the federal government has full power over interstate commerce
  • Dred Scott v Sandford

    Dred Scott v Sandford
    Dred Scott v Sandford was a Supreme Court case that stated slaves were not citizens of the U.S.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    Emancipation Proclamation
    The Emancipation Proclamation was ordered by the president at the time, Abraham Lincoln, to free all slaves in Confederate territory
  • The 13th Amendment

    The 13th Amendment
    The 13th Amendment abolishes slavery
  • The 14th Amendment

    The 14th Amendment
    The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to everyone born in the U.S. or naturalized
  • The 15th Amendment

    The 15th Amendment
    The 15th Amendment gives the right to vote regardless of race
  • Plessy v Ferguson

    Plessy v Ferguson
    Plessy v Ferguson established the separate but equal doctrine
  • The 16th Amendment

    The 16th Amendment
    The 16th Amendment gives Congress the power to collect taxes
  • The 17th Amendment

    The 17th Amendment
    The 17th Amendment states the rules for senate elections
  • The 18th Amendment

    The 18th Amendment
    The 18th Amendment made a ban on alcohol, but was later repealed
  • The 19th Amendment

    The 19th Amendment
    The 19th Amendment gives the right to vote regardless of sex
  • The Era of Fiscal Federalism

    The Era of Fiscal Federalism
    The Era of Fiscal Federalism was when all governments shared funding and responsibilities
  • The 20th Amendment

    The 20th Amendment
    The 20th Amendment addresses the beginning and ending of the terms of the president, vice president, and members of Congress
  • The 21st Amendment

    The 21st Amendment
    The 21st Amendment ends the ban on alcohol
  • Korematsu v. United States

    Korematsu v. United States
    Korematsu v. United States was a Supreme Court case that allowed the interment of Japanese American citizens during wartime, but it was later overturned
  • The 22nd Amendment

    The 22nd Amendment
    The 22nd Amendment limits the president to two terms
  • Brown v Board of Education

    Brown v Board of Education
    Brown v Board of Education was a Supreme Court case that ruled segregation in public schools is unconstitutional
  • The 23rd Amendment

    The 23rd Amendment
    The 23rd Amendment allows District citizens to vote for president and vice president
  • Mapp v Ohio

    Mapp v Ohio
    Mapp v Ohio was a Supreme Court case that decided illegally obtained evidence could not be used in a trial
  • Engel v Vitale

    Engel v Vitale
    Engel v Vitale was a Supreme Court case that ruled against official school prayers
  • The 24th Amendment

    The 24th Amendment
    The 24th Amendment abolishes poll taxes
  • Voting Rights Act

    Voting Rights Act
    The Voting Rights Act stated that discrimination in voting was no longer allowed
  • Miranda v. Arizona

    Miranda v. Arizona
    Miranda v. Arizona was a Supreme Court case that requires individuals being arrested to be informed of their rights against self-incrimination and to an attorney
  • The 25th Amendment

    The 25th Amendment
    The 25th Amendment says that if anything happens to the president, the vice president can step into office
  • Loving v Virginia

    Loving v Virginia
    Loving v Virginia was a Supreme Court case that ruled interracial marriage is a Constitutional right
  • The Era of New Federalism

    The Era of New Federalism
    The Era of New Federalism is giving power from federal government back to the states
  • The 26th Amendment

    The 26th Amendment
    The 26th Amendment sets the voting age to 18 or older
  • Roe v Wade

    Roe v Wade
    Roe v Wade was a Supreme Court case that ruled abortions a Constitutional right
  • Economic Recovery Tax Act

    Economic Recovery Tax Act
    Economic Recovery Tax Act made a major tax cut to encourage economic growth
  • United States v Lopez

    United States v Lopez
    United States v Lopez was a Supreme Court case that struck down the Gun-Free School Zones Act because Congress cannot regulate interstate commerce
  • The 27th Amendment

    The 27th Amendment
    The 27th Amendment keeps members of Congress from giving themselves raises