Focus Question: How have constitutional Amendments expanded the rights of individuals in U.S. history?

What is an AMENDMENT? A change to the Constitution (“amend”= to fix) Amendments are made when U.S. society and government realizes that there is a problem that can only be fixed by changing the Constitution. Amendments are often aimed at expanding the rights of individuals.

1st Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 1st Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press Prevents the government from violating people’s freedom of expression

4th Authorities must obtain a warrant to search a person’s property Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 4th Search and seizure Authorities must obtain a warrant to search a person’s property

5th Rights of the accused People have the right to remain silent Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 5th Rights of the accused People have the right to remain silent

6th Rights Right to a lawyer, a fair trial of the accused Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 6th Rights of the accused Right to a lawyer, a fair trial

8th Prevents “cruel and unusual” punishments for crimes Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 8th Criminal punishment Prevents “cruel and unusual” punishments for crimes

14th Guarantees all people “equal protection of the law” Equal rights Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 14th Equal rights Guarantees all people “equal protection of the law”

15th Gave the right to vote to African-American men Suffrage Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 15th Suffrage Gave the right to vote to African-American men

17th Gave people the right to vote for the senators from their state Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 17th Expanding democracy Gave people the right to vote for the senators from their state

19th Gave women the right to vote Suffrage Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 19th Suffrage Gave women the right to vote

24th Made the poll tax and literacy test illegal Civil rights Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 24th Civil rights Made the poll tax and literacy test illegal

26th Changed the voting age from 21 to 18 Suffrage Amendment Topic How did it expand rights? 26th Suffrage Changed the voting age from 21 to 18