The framers of the Constitution knew that the nation would grow and change, so they included a way to add amendments to the constitution. Usually an amendment is proposed by 2/3 of the members of the House of Reps and the Senate. ¾ of the states must ratify or officially accept the amendment. Only after the above steps occur does the amendment become part of the Constitution.

This means that 67 Senators or 290 Representatives would have to ratify an amendment before it could be sent to the states for approval. How many states would then have to ratify the amendment for it to become part of the Constitution?

Many Americans demanded that a Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson was a leader in the pursuit to get the Bill of Rights. James Madison agreed. He wrote amendments listing rights that were to be protected.

In 1791, the 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights were ratified. I.Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and PetitionFreedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition II.Right to keep and bear armsRight to keep and bear arms III.Conditions for quarters of soldiersConditions for quarters of soldiers IV.Right of search and seizure regulatedRight of search and seizure regulated V.Provisons concerning prosecutionProvisons concerning prosecution VI.Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc. VII.Right to a trial by juryRight to a trial by jury VIII.Excessive bail, cruel punishmentExcessive bail, cruel punishment IX.Rule of construction of ConstitutionRule of construction of Constitution X.Rights of the States under ConstitutionRights of the States under Constitution

Congress can't make any law about your religion, or stop you from practicing your religion, or keep you from saying whatever you want, or publishing whatever you want (like in a newspaper or a book). And Congress can't stop you from meeting peacefully for a demonstration to ask the government to change something. Freedom of Speech, press and religion.

The right to bear arms (own a gun) Congress can't stop people from having and carrying weapons, because we need to be able to defend ourselves

Soldiers cannot live in people’s houses during times of peace You don't have to let soldiers live in your house, except if there is a war, and even then only if Congress has passed a law about it.

A warrant is needed to search your house or property Nobody can search your body, or your house, or your papers and things, unless they can prove to a judge that they have a good reason to think you have committed a crime

If you are accused of a crime, you have certain rights You can't be tried for any serious crime without a Grand Jury meeting first to decide whether there's enough evidence for a trial. And if the jury decides you are innocent, the government can't try again with another jury. You don't have to say anything at your trial. You can't be killed, or put in jail, or fined, unless you were convicted of a crime by a jury. And the government can't take your house or your farm or anything that is yours, unless the government pays for it.

You have the right to a fair trial If you're arrested, you have a right to have your trial pretty soon, and the government can't keep you in jail without trying you. The trial has to be public, so everyone knows what is happening. The case has to be decided by a jury of ordinary people from your area. You have the right to know what you are accused of, to see and hear the people who are witnesses against you, to have the government help you get witnesses on your side, and you have the right to a lawyer to help you.

The right to have a jury in civil cases You also have the right to a jury when it is a civil case (a law case between two people rather than between you and the government).

Your rights about bail and cruel punishments The government can't make you pay more than is reasonable in bail or in fines, and the government can't order you to have cruel or unusual punishments (like torture) even if you are convicted of a crime.

The people keep all rights not listed in the Constitution until the Supreme Courts finds them unconstitutional Just because these rights are listed in the Constitution doesn't mean that you don't have other rights too

The rights of the States Anything that the Constitution doesn't say that Congress can do should be left up to the states, or to the people.

Abolition (the end of Slavery) Officially abolished and continues to prohibit slavery and involuntary Servitude.

Prohibition or a BAN on Alcohol Could not manufacture, sale, transport, or drink intoxicating liquors

Woman’s Suffrage- Allows women the right to vote Up until this point in history, women were not allowed to vote. The presidential election of President Warren G. Harding was the first voting session that women were allowed to vote in.

The end of Prohibition….alcohol was now legalized…again Alcohol is now legal to manufacture, sell, consume and use.

Limits the terms of a President can serve (can only serve 2 terms for a total of 8 years) People worried about having a president for life which would turn back into a dictatorship (like the time of serving under a king)

Decided who was in charge if the President can no longer serve out his term Deals with succession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President as well. (Basically lists the order of who will take over if something happens)

Changed the legal voting age to 18 years old. It was adopted in response to student activism against the Vietnam War and to partially overrule a Supreme Court's decision. “If people were old enough to fight in the war they are old enough to vote for president.”

prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of the Congress from taking effect until the start of the next set of terms of office for Representatives.