Major Amendments to the Constitution

The Constitution Has only been amended (changed) 26 times 27 times. The first 10: The Bill of Rights They’re all important, but some have had a bigger influence on history than others have.

How to Amend the Constitution Article 5 of Constitution Amendments may be proposed in one of two ways. Two thirds vote of each house of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives National convention called by Congress at the request of two thirds of the states (never used so far) Amendments can then be approved or ratified in one of two ways Legislatures in three-fourths of the states ratify the amendment. States call for a special ratifying convention. (Only used once for Amendment 21, which revoked Amendment 18 Prohibition)

Amendment 1 Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, petition and assembly

Amendment 2 Allows citizens to bear arms and keep state militia

Amendment 3 Prohibits quartering of troops in civilian homes

Amendment 4 Prohibits searches and seizures without a warrant and probable cause

Amendment 5 Lists rights of people who were accused of a crime. Indicted by a grand jury No double jeopardy Due Process Pleading the 5th Eminent Domain

Amendment 6 Right to a fair and speedy trial Impartial Jury Informed of charges Cross examine Obtain witness Right to an attorney

Amendment 7 Right to a trial by jury when the amount in dispute exceeds $20 Civil trials

Amendment 8 Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment Prohibits excessive fines

Amendment 9 Listed (enumerated) rights in the Constitution do not infringe on unlisted individual rights Compromise amendment We enjoy more individual rights than what is listed in the Constitution

Amendment 10 Reserved state powers Creates federalism in a general sense Examples

Amendments 11 (1798) Amendment 11 – prohibits a citizen of one state or a citizen of another country from suing another state in federal court. Defines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

Amendment 12 Requires members of the Electoral College to cast two separate ballots: one for president and one for vice-president. It’s a tie – Election of 1800 was a tie between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson and The House of Representatives cast the deciding vote in the election, this was seen as unfair. Second place winner before this amendment became vice-president, caused problems and anger.

Reconstruction Amendments All were ratified (approved) at the end of the Civil War 13th Amendment 14th Amendment 15th Amendment All slaves would now be free. Abolishment Formers slaves were now American citizens (and should be treated equally). Former slaves had the right to vote (men). Effective?

16th Amendment Congress can collect a tax on people’s income without regard to population

17th Amendment People instead of the state legislature elect U.S senators. Prior to this amendment State Legislators elected Senators. Anti-corruption amendment Governor may fill senate vacancy until next election

18th Amendment 18th Amendment (1919): Prohibition: Illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol in any way. 21st Repealed this

19th Amendment Women get the right to vote What year in comparison to the 15th?

20th Amendment Changes the date of the inauguration to January 20. Called lame duck amendment because it refers to an elected officials attitude after losing an election or soon to be leaving office.

21st Amendment: (1932) Did away with the 18thAmendment.

More… 22nd Amendment: 1951 No one can ever be elected President more than twice. Two terms or ten years

23rd Amendment Grants residents of District of Columbia the right to vote in presidential elections (1961) Total number of electoral votes = 538 100 Sen. + 435 Reps. +3 D.C. 270 Magic # to become pres.

24th Amendment: 1964 Poll taxes are illegal.

And… 25th Amendment: 1967 If the President can’t be in power, the Vice President takes over. If there’s no Vice President, the President can name a new one (approved by the Senate) If the President is sick, he can temporarily give power to the Vice President. 26th Amendment: Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 (in 1971)

The 27th Amendment Congress cannot vote itself a pay raise – any pay raise only counts for the next Congress