Amendments

Objectives Learn the process by which the Constitution can be changed. Learn some of the more significant amendments.

Article V: Amending the Constitution Why?

Amendment Procedures Congressional Proposal 2/3 of both houses of congress adopt an amendment. ¾ of the states must ratify the amendment. Constitutional Convention 2/3 of states must call for a convention. 2/3 of delegates must adopt the amendment. 3/4 of states must ratify the amendment.

Bill of Rights The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights. Originally 12 were proposed, 10 were adopted on September 25, James Madison wrote the amendments which were modeled after George Mason’s work on the Virginia Bill of Rights. Virginia became the 10 th state to ratify the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791.

1 st Amendment The 1 st Amendment guarantees five individual rights: Speech, press, religion, petition, and assemble. These rights are not absolute. Consequences can follow misuse or abuse of these rights.

2nd Amendment The second amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. This right is also not absolute. It is illegal to own certain types of firearms and ammunition.

2 nd Amendment The second amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. This right is also not absolute. It is illegal to own certain types of firearms and ammunition.

3rd Amendment The Third Amendment protects citizens from having soldiers kept in their homes without consent.

4 th Amendment The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5 th Amendment The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process of law and protection against self incrimination.

6 th Amendment Guarantees a fair and speedy trial by jury. The right to counsel.

7 th Amendment Guarantees trials by jury in civil cases.

8 th Amendment Protects against excessive bail, fines, cruel, and unusual punishment.

9 th Amendment Proclaims people have more rights that are not spelled out in the Constitution.

10 th Amendment Powers not specifically delegated to the national government are for the states.

12 th Amendment After the issues of the election of 1800, the 12 th Amendment changed the way electors would vote for the President and Vice President.

Post Civil War Period Since the primary issue of the Civil War was slavery, a series of amendments followed the war to abolish slavery and protect the rights of former slaves.

13 th Amendment Ratified December 6, 1865, it abolished slavery in the United States.

14 th Amendment Ratified July 9, It is the cornerstone of all civil rights movements to follow. It defines what a citizen is and the rights that come with citizenship.

15 th Amendment Ratified February 2, Guaranteed all male citizens, 21, registered, could vote.

Voting Amendments 15 th : Guaranteeing vote for blacks. 19 th : Guaranteeing vote for women. 23 rd : Giving vote to those living in Washington D.C, 24 th : Eliminating poll taxes. 26 th : Lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. Since voting is such an essential part of our government, there have been several amendments ratified to ensure the right to vote.

Amending Amendments One amendment has been repealed. The 18 th, Prohibition, prohibited the manufacture, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcohol. It help lead to the rise of organized crime. The 21 st Amendment, ratified December 5, 1933, voided the 19 th Amendment.

Ratification Deadlines Recent amendments have had to be ratified within a certain number of years. The most popular number of years has been seven.

Critical Thinking Time If you could propose an amendment to the constitution what would it be?