1. Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Since 1789 how many amendment have been proposed by Congress?
….11,623

2. 11th Amendment
First amendment created after the original ten (The Bill of Rights)
Came after the decision in the court case Chisholm v. Georgia
Immunity of states from lawsuits by out-of-state citizens & foreigners not living within the state borders.
You cannot sue another state without their consent

3. 12th Amendment
Changed how Presidents ran for office and the Electoral College
Prior to the twelfth amendment Presidents & Vice Presidents were voted for separately which could result in presidents and vice presidents being from different parties
Ensured that the president and vice president, voted on by the Electors, were from the same party

4. 13th Amendment - 1865 Came after the end of the Civil War
Abolished (got rid of) Slavery
Allows congress to create proper legislation to enforce the abolishment of slavery
Considered the first of three reconstruction amendments
Called a reconstruction amendment because it reconstructed/rebuilt the U.S. after the Civil War

5. 14th Amendment
Proposed in response to issues related to former slaves
Citizenship is given to ANYONE born in the United States.
Equal protection under the law
Eliminated 3/5ths Compromise
Second of Three reconstruction amendments

6. 15th Amendment
The government cannot deny the right to vote to citizens based on race, color, or previous servitude
Proposed by Republicans
Would not be fully imposed until the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Third of three reconstruction amendments

7. 16th Amendment – 1913
Gave the federal government the right to levy an income tax
An income tax was authorized in 1894 and then found unconstitutional. In response to the verdict given by the Supreme Court, Congress created this amendment
Required by those who have earned any income throughout the previous year
Taxes are due on April 15th each year

8. 17th Amendment - 1913 Direct election of Senators
People in the states would elect the Senators instead of them being appointed by the state legislatures like they had originally been under the original text in the Constitution
Considered a progressive amendment
Progressive amendments encouraged change or reform and asked that the government be responsive to the needs of U.S. citizens
The Framers to the Constitution originally wanted state legislatures to elect senators so that state governments could play a role in the federal government.
This had led to many corrupt senators being chosen to represent states in the U.S. Congress

9. 18th Amendment
Came to be based on the Progressive Era and because many states in the U.S. had already enacted statewide prohibition
Prohibition – no making, selling, or purchasing alcohol. Though consuming or private possession was not mentioned
Originally considered a progressive amendment
Due to this amendment the crime rate increased significantly.

10. 19th Amendment
The government cannot deny the right to vote based on gender
Originally drafted in 1878 and was sought to be included in the reconstruction amendments
Created in response to women’s rights advocates
In 1922 the Leser v. Garnett Supreme Court case, the 19th amendment was upheld
Considered a progressive amendment

11. 20th Amendment
Moved the Presidential inauguration from March 4 to January 20
Moved the terms of Congress from March 4 to January 3
Created to limit the “lame duck” period in office (where many feel the politician leaving the office has little influence)
It also stated what to do when there is no President-elect

12. 21st Amendment - 1933 Repealed the 18th Amendment Allowed alcohol
Created because the ratification of the 18th amendment had lead to increased crime rates and was strongly opposed throughout the United States
Only amendment created to nullify another.

13. 22nd Amendment
Presidents can only be elected to two terms of office.
Precedent was set by President Washington to serve no more than two terms
Only President to serve more than two terms was Franklin D. Roosevelt
Created after FDR died in office, a year after he was elected to his fourth term
Was created to ensure the executive office would not gain too much power

14. 23rd Amendment
Washington, D.C. is not a state therefore it was not given voting rights or representation
Amendment came in response to arguments that states with lower populations than D.C. could vote but they could not
Washington, D.C. is given 3 votes in the Electoral College.
They can vote for President.

15. 24th Amendment
Several states tried to get around allowing African Americans to vote by requiring them to pay unaffordable amounts in order to practice their 15th amendment right, Congress created this amendment to combat this problem
Poll taxes are not allowed.

16. 25th Amendment
If the President dies, the Vice President takes over.
Then he/she gets to select a new Vice President.
Came after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, in case the country were to see the loss of a President and Vice President

17. 26th Amendment - 1971 18 year olds can vote!
Came in response to the Vietnam War. It did not seem fair that 18 year olds were being asked to serve their country but could not vote in elections

18. 27th Amendment - 1992 Originally proposed in 1789
Congress can give itself a raise, but it won’t take effect until a new Congress starts.
A new Congress takes place every 2 years
Took over 200 years to ratify!