As a starting point to your constitutional research, you can begin to explore the Constitution Annotated by subject matter using the menu below or by inputting keywords in the search bar.
The links in the section below take you to the browse section for each constitutional provision's annotated essays. Individual essays can be accessed by clicking the serial numbers left of each essay title.
These essays introduce the reader to various components underpinning the Constitution Annotated and how the Constitution is interpreted today.
The foundational legal document of the United States of America.
This section encompasses essays on Article I of the Constitution dealing specifically with the Legislative branch, its powers, and functions. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the Historical Origin Limits on Federal Power.
Legislative Vesting Clause | Rights and Disabilities |
House of Representatives | Legislation |
Senate | Enumerated Powers |
Congress | Powers Denied |
Proceedings | Powers Denied to States |
This section encompasses essays on Article II of the Constitution dealing specifically with the Executive branch, the Presidency, its powers, and functions. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the Overview of Article II, Executive Branch.
Function and Selection | Duties |
Powers | Impeachment |
This section encompasses essays on Article III of the Constitution dealing specifically with the Judicial branch, its powers, and functions. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review.
Vesting Clause | Protections |
Powers | Justiciability |
Supreme Court Rulings | Treason |
Congressional Power |
This section encompasses essays on Article IV of the Constitution dealing specifically with the relationships between states. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the Purpose of Privileges and Immunities Clause.
Full Faith and Credit Clause | New States and Federal Property |
Interstate Comity | Republican Form of Government |
This section encompasses essays on Article V of the Constitution dealing specifically with the creation of constitutional amendments. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on Congressional Proposals of Amendments.
Proposals | Ratification |
This section encompasses essays on Article VI of the Constitution dealing specifically with the establishment of the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the Overview of the Supremacy Clause.
Obligations of New Federal Government | Oaths of Office |
Supremacy Clause |
This section encompasses essays on Article VII of the Constitution dealing specifically with the ratification of the Constitution.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
This section encompasses essays on the First Amendment dealing specifically with fundamental freedoms. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on State Action Doctrine and Free Speech.
Religious Liberty | Freedom of Press |
Freedom of Speech | Freedom of Assembly and Petition |
Freedom of Association |
This section encompasses essays on the Second Amendment dealing specifically with the right to bear arms. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on Early Second Amendment Jurisprudence.
Historical Background | Bruen and Concealed-Carry Licenses |
Heller and the Individual Right |
This section encompasses essays on the Third Amendment dealing specifically with the quartering of soldiers. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on Government Intrusion.
This section encompasses essays on the Fourth Amendment dealing specifically with searches and seizures. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the Amendment’s Historical Background.
Scope of Protected Rights | Exceptions to Warrants |
Probable Cause | Excluding Evidence |
Warrants |
This section encompasses essays on the Fifth Amendment dealing specifically with the rights of persons. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay overviewing Due Process.
Grand Jury | Abortion & Due Process |
Double Jeopardy | Vagueness Doctrine |
Self-Incrimination | Takings |
Due Process |
This section encompasses essays on the Sixth Amendment dealing specifically with rights in criminal prosecutions. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on Prejudice and the Right to a Speedy Trial.
Speedy Trial | Confrontation Clause |
Public Trial | Right to Counsel |
Trial by Jury |
This section encompasses essays on the Seventh Amendment dealing specifically with civil trial rights. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay overviewing the Seventh Amendment.
Trial by Jury | Reexamination |
This section encompasses essays on the Eighth Amendment dealing specifically with cruel and unusual punishment. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the standard of cruel and unusual punishment.
Excessive Bail and Fines | Punishment |
This section encompasses essays on the Ninth Amendment dealing specifically with unenumerated rights. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the Amendment’s modern doctrine.
This section encompasses essays on the Tenth Amendment dealing specifically with rights reserved to states and the people. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on State Sovereignty.
The two earliest amendments ratified after the Bill of Rights.
This section encompasses essays on the Eleventh Amendment dealing specifically with suits against states. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the Amendment’s historical background.
Doctrine | Exceptions |
This section encompasses essays on the Twelfth Amendment dealing specifically with the election of the President.
Reconstruction Amendments
Also referred to as the Civil War Amendments, the 13th-15th Amendments were passed in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War to enshrine constitutional protections for newly-freed Black Americans.
This section encompasses essays on the Thirteenth Amendment dealing specifically with the abolition of slavery. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on Defining Badges and Incidents of Slavery
Historical Background | Exceptions |
Prohibition | Enforcement |
This section encompasses essays on the Fourteenth Amendment dealing specifically with equal protection and other rights. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay overviewing Substantive Due Process.
This section encompasses essays on the Fifteenth Amendment dealing specifically with the right to vote. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the right to vote generally.
Right to Vote | Enforcement |
Gerrymandering and Exclusion |
Early Twentieth Century Amendments
The constitutional amendments ratified in the early twentieth century prior to the Second World War.
This section encompasses essays on the Sixteenth Amendment dealing specifically with income tax. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the historical background of the Amendment.
This section encompasses essays on the Seventeenth Amendment dealing specifically with the popular election of senators. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on the historical background of the Amendment.
This section encompasses essays on the Eighteenth Amendment dealing specifically with the prohibition of alcohol.
This section encompasses essays on the Nineteenth Amendment dealing specifically with women’s suffrage. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay overviewing the amendment.
Overview | Scope |
Historical Background | Impact |
This section encompasses essays on the Twentieth Amendment dealing specifically with the presidential terms and succession.
This section encompasses essays on the Twenty-First Amendment dealing specifically with the repeal of prohibition. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay on interstate commerce.
Repeal | Importation, Transportation, and Sale |
This section encompasses essays on the Twenty-Second Amendment dealing specifically with Presidential term limits.
Post-War Amendments
Constitutional amendments passed in the twentieth century after the conclusion of the Second World War.
This section encompasses essays on the Twenty-Third Amendment dealing specifically with District of Columbia electors.
This section encompasses essays on the Twenty-Fourth Amendment dealing specifically with the abolition of poll tax.
This section encompasses essays on the Twenty-Fifth Amendment dealing specifically with Presidential vacancy.
This section encompasses essays on the Twenty-Sixth Amendment dealing specifically with the reduction of voting age.
This section encompasses essays on the Twenty-Sixth Amendment dealing specifically with the congressional compensation. A recommended first stop is the annotated essay overviewing the amendment.
Overview | Scope |
Historical Background | Implications |
Six amendments have been proposed by Congress, but have not been ratified by the States.