What Does Ratification Mean?

United States Congress

When learning about the history of the United States Constitution and its later amendments, we frequently see the term ratification. For these important proposals to become legal, they needed to be ratified. What does this mean, what are the requirements for ratification, and how does this relate to the Constitution and its amendment?

Why Isn’t DC a State?

Washington, DC

Washington, DC is one of the most critical parts of the United States, as it is home to the United States government. You’ll find the White House, Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, and many government offices throughout the District of Columbia.

What Does Habeas Corpus Mean?

Hammer and gavel

Habeas Corpus (Latin for ‘you have a body’) is an important right many probably haven’t heard of. Especially since it hasn’t been challenged in over twenty years, but it’s one of the more important rights that we have in America. 

What Are Unalienable Rights?

Equal rights poster

Enshrined in the Declaration of Independence are a specific set of rights defined as unalienable. These are rights that, no matter what happens, may never be taken away from an individual. Accordingly, they are considered inherited by all people who live within the United States. 

What Does Liberty Mean?

United States coin

Liberty is considered the ability for anyone to do as they please. It is both a right and immunity that can be enjoyed by an individual either through prescription or granted by another, and it can be broken down into either negative liberty or positive liberty.

What Was Prohibition?

Alcoholic drinks

The prohibition era was a period of 13 years in which the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol were forbidden in the United States. Those in favor of prohibition and the temperance movement wanted to improve society by prohibiting the supply of alcohol.