Changing the Constitution “Amendments and the Bill of Rights”

We the People… Who were the framers talking about when they said, “We the people”? Were they talking about everyone or just some people? By we the people, are we also talking about women? Heavens no! That would be like calling slaves people! It’s a good thing that we are rich white male property owners. Yeah, that really worked out nicely for us didn’t it.

We the People When the constitution was written, “we the people” only included white, male property owners. Women had no rights and African Americans had no rights. As time has passed, we have amended, or changed, the constitution to include all citizens of the United States.

The Amendment Process The framers of the constitution were smart enough to know that they had not created the perfect document. They allowed for a way to change the constitution, but if was not easy. First you have to propose the amendment. This is done by a two- thirds vote in the House and the Senate or by a national convention requested by two-thirds of the state legislatures. An amendment can be approved in two ways as well. An amendment is ratified if three-fourths of the state legislatures approve it, or by special conventions in three- fourths of the states

Have there been any constitutional amendments in your lifetime? The 27 th amendment which had to do with congressional pay increases. It was proposed in 1787 and ratified in That is a record length of time.

The Bill of Rights The bill of rights is the first 10 amendments added to the constitution. The first amendment gives the freedom of religion, speech and the press. It also grants you the right to assemble peacefully and the right to petition the government. The second amendment gives you the right to own firearms. The third amendment says that the government cannot force you to house troops. The fourth amendment protects you against illegal searches or seizure of your property.

The Bill of Rights The fifth amendment says that people cannot be forced to incriminate themselves. The sixth amendment gives you the right to a speedy trial by a fair jury. It also says that if you are accused of a crime, we have to tell you what it is. The seventh amendment guarantees juries for civil, or non-criminal trials. The eighth amendment guards against cruel and unusual punishment. The ninth amendment makes it clear that a citizen’s rights are not limited to those listed in the constitution. The tenth amendment says that all power not specifically given to the federal government is reserved for the states.

Other Noteworthy Amendments Some other important amendments include the thirteenth amendment (this abolished slavery), the fourteenth amendment (guaranteed citizenship to former slaves), the fifteenth amendment (This gave every male the right to vote regardless of race), and the nineteenth amendment ( this gave women the right to vote) The constitution has only been amended 27 times in history. It’s timeless principles are the foundation on which the United States has prospered for over 200 years. Don’t forget about me