Amendments SWBAT:

Amendments Amendments are the Changes **First 10 Amendments are called the Bill of Rights – added in 1788 (States insisted that a list of rights be added before all would ratify the Constitution) ** Nine States had to ratify the Constitution before it was considered Supreme Law of the Land ** There are 27 Amendments to the Constitution as of this date

**Amendment I ** Freedom of Religion, speech, press, assembly and petition Religion: Congress shall not pass a law requiring an official religion – citizens can choose their own religion or choose no religion Speech: the right to speak without fear of punishment (must be true – no slander) Press: the right of newspapers, TV, etc..to print (say) whatever they feel is newsworthy without censorship Assembly: the right to gather together in a group Petition: the right to ask the government to change things

**Amendment II: The Right to Bear Arms Arms = Weapons or Guns Gives Americans the right to own weapons…some controversy in this day and age What do you think?

Amendment III: Outlaws Quartering What do we know about quartering? Amendment III outlaws quartering during peacetime and authorizes Congress to pass a law concerning quartering of soldiers in wartime.

** Amendment IV: Search and Seizure Before Article IV there was no protection from the government/police entering your home or arresting you at any time. **Amendment IV outlaws unreasonable searches and seizures This protects citizens from being wrongly arrested or searched

** Amendment V: No Double Jeopardy/No Self-incrimination/ Guaranteed Due Process Double Jeopardy = You can’t be tried twice for the same crime Self-incrimination = You can’t be forced to “tell on yourself” – witness against yourself Due Process = What ever a person does, the government cannot take away his/her right to life, liberty, or property without first going through the proper steps Note: The government may in some instances take property (for the good of all), but must pay a fair price - Eminent Domain ** Treason is the only crime specifically defined by the US Constitution

** Amendment VI: Fair and Speedy Trial All people accused of a crime are guaranteed the right to a fair, fast, and public trial in court and have a lawyer represent them – even if they cannot afford one. Amendment VI is set up to protect the rights of the accused.

Amendment VII: Trial by Jury In cases of 20 or more dollars – the Constitution guarantees an individual the right to a jury trial. – Individuals can decide not have a jury trial and allow the judge to decide his or her guilt or innocence.

** Amendment VIII: Cruel and Unusual Punishment Protects against excessive bail or punishment in unusual ways What does this mean?

Amendment IX: The “etcetera” amendment Other rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are given to the people Just because its not mentioned in the constitution doesn’t mean you do not have that right i.e. The right sue someone who has caused damage to you or your property

Amendment X: Gives powers to States and their people that are not specifically mentioned i.e…..The Constitution does not mention education ….therefore, it is the job of the state governments to educate their people

Amendment XI: State Immunity The Eleventh Amendment (Amendment XI) deals with each State's sovereign immunity from being sued in federal court by someone of another state or country. In other words, a private citizen from Missouri --for instance--cannot sue another state in federal court. The same holds true for someone from a foreign country.

**Amendment XII: Pres./Vice Pres. Same Ballot Prior to the XII Amendment, the President and Vice President were elected by separate ballots. By 1800 political parties had begun to develop, and it became clear that having the two from separate parties may not be good idea (different ideas) – so Amendment XII was established to place the President and Vice-President on the same ballot for election.

** Amendment XIII: Abolished Slavery Passed in 1865 – The XIII Amendment abolished slavery, but it took a Civil War to actually end the practice

**Amendment XIV: Defines US Citizenship Guarantees all Americans (regardless of race) the rights listed in the Constitution. Also, included blacks into census counts for population….What did this effect?

** Amendment XV: Black Sufferage Amendment XV gave former slaves the right to vote ** Amendments 13, 14, and 15 are known as the Civil Right Amendments as they outline citizen rights to all races

** Amendment XVI: Income Tax Prior to the 16th Amendment the Federal Government made money only on imports ---After the 16th Amendment, each person paid a tax according to th amount of money he or she made. Is this fair?

Amendment XVII: Senators Elected by the people of the State Prior to the 17th Amendment, the state legislatures elected Federal Senators – after the 17th Amendment: The people of the state voted for themselves

** Amendment XVIII: Prohibition The outlaw of alcohol What about cigarettes, soda, cheeseburgers? Just asking……..Something to think about. Should the government enforce laws that protect people from themselves?

**Amendment XIX: Women’s Sufferage Mrs. Koppelmann’s favorite Amendment 1920 Gave Women the Right to Vote !!!!

Amendment XX: Lame Duck Period When the Constitution was ratified, travel was slow, and news traveled even slower. Because of this, the President and Congress were given many months between their elections and the time when they were sworn in. The old officials were known as “lame ducks” because they did not have much time left or much power. The 20th amendment shortened the President’s “Lame Duck” period from March 4 to January 20th. Congress now begins on Jan. 3rd

** Amendment XXI: Repealed the 18th Amendment The end of Prohibition Alcohol legal Once Again This was needed because their was not enough law enforcement to enforce a law that was opposed by so many Americans

**Amendment XXII: Limits Pres. To 2 terms George Washington served 2 terms – other Presidents used this as an example until Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to a 3rd and 4th term of office. After this – Congress Amended the Constitution to officially limit the term of office of President to 2 terms. Why do you think this is important? Or is it important?

Amendment XXIII: D.C. gets right to vote The District of Columbia is not a state…. By 1960 it had a large population that was left out of the election process. The 23rd amendment gave citizens of DC the right to participate in National Elections. Amendment XXIV: No Voters Tax Why is this important?

**Amendment XXV: Presidential Succession ** Outlines the when the VP will become president…. 1. The President Dies 2. The President Resigns 3. The President is impeached and removed from office 4. President becomes ill and temporarily give authority to the VP to act as President In the event the President is assasinated, the VP becomes President. S/He then appoints a new VP, who must be approved by majority vote from both houses of Congress

** Amendment XXVI: 18 years old right vote Amendment XXVII: Any changes in Congresses salary cannot take effect until after the next election.

Amendment Bingo