1. Major Amendments to the Constitution

2. The Constitution Has only been amended (changed) 26 times 27 times.
The first 10: The Bill of Rights
They’re all important, but some have had a bigger influence on history than others have.

3. How to Amend the Constitution Article 5 of Constitution
Amendments may be proposed in one of two ways.
Two thirds vote of each house of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives
National convention called by Congress at the request of two thirds of the states (never used so far)
Amendments can then be approved or ratified in one of two ways
Legislatures in three-fourths of the states ratify the amendment.
States call for a special ratifying convention. (Only used once for Amendment 21, which revoked Amendment 18 Prohibition)

4. Amendment 1
Protects freedom of religion, speech, press, petition and assembly

5. Amendment 2
Allows citizens to bear arms and keep state militia

6. Amendment 3
Prohibits quartering of troops in civilian homes

7. Amendment 4
Prohibits searches and seizures without a warrant and probable cause

8. Amendment 5 Lists rights of people who were accused of a crime.
Indicted by a grand jury
No double jeopardy
Due Process
Pleading the 5th
Eminent Domain

9. Amendment 6 Right to a fair and speedy trial Impartial Jury
Informed of charges
Cross examine
Obtain witness
Right to an attorney

10. Amendment 7
Right to a trial by jury when the amount in dispute exceeds $20
Civil trials

11. Amendment 8 Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment
Prohibits excessive fines

12. Amendment 9
Listed (enumerated) rights in the Constitution do not infringe on unlisted individual rights
Compromise amendment
We enjoy more individual rights than what is listed in the Constitution

13. Amendment 10 Reserved state powers
Creates federalism in a general sense
Examples

14. Amendments 11 (1798)
Amendment 11 – prohibits a citizen of one state or a citizen of another country from suing another state in federal court.
Defines the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

15. Amendment 12
Requires members of the Electoral College to cast two separate ballots: one for president and one for vice-president.
It’s a tie – Election of 1800 was a tie
between Aaron Burr and
Thomas Jefferson and
The House of Representatives
cast the deciding vote
in the election, this
was seen as unfair.
Second place winner
before this amendment
became vice-president,
caused problems and anger.

16. Reconstruction Amendments All were ratified (approved) at the end of the Civil War
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
All slaves would now be free. Abolishment
Formers slaves were now American citizens (and should be treated equally).
Former slaves had the right to vote (men).
Effective?

17. 16th Amendment
Congress can collect a tax on people’s income without regard to population

18. 17th Amendment
People instead of the state legislature elect U.S senators. Prior to this amendment State Legislators elected Senators.
Anti-corruption amendment
Governor may fill senate vacancy until next election

19. 18th Amendment
18th Amendment (1919): Prohibition: Illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol in any way. 21st Repealed this

20. 19th Amendment Women get the right to vote
What year in comparison to the 15th?

21. 20th Amendment
Changes the date of the inauguration to January 20. Called lame duck amendment because it refers to an elected officials attitude after losing an election or soon to be leaving office.

22. 21st Amendment: (1932)
Did away with the 18thAmendment.

23. More…
22nd Amendment: 1951
No one can ever be elected President more than twice.
Two terms or ten years

24. 23rd Amendment
Grants residents of District of Columbia the right to vote in presidential elections (1961)
Total number of electoral votes = 538
100 Sen Reps. +3 D.C.
270 Magic # to become pres.

25. 24th Amendment: 1964 Poll taxes are illegal.

26. And…
25th Amendment: 1967
If the President can’t be in power, the Vice President takes over.
If there’s no Vice President, the President can name a new one (approved by the Senate)
If the President is sick, he can temporarily give power to the Vice President.
26th Amendment:
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 (in 1971)

27. The 27th Amendment
Congress cannot vote itself a pay raise – any pay raise only counts for the next Congress