1. Our Enduring Constitution
Chapter Seven
Our Enduring Constitution

2. First, Lets go back to the Bill of Rights…
Interpreting the Bill of Rights
People often disagree about the meaning of Constitutional rights
The Bill of Rights are broad and difficult to interpret
So, who do we turn to in a disagreement regarding our rights?
Judges in our national court system
Usually it is resolved on a local level
Sometimes it goes to the Supreme Court

3. Case Studies: Tinker v. Des Moines
Mary Beth, John Tinker, and other students wore black armbands to school to protest American involvement in the Vietnam War.
The students are suspended
The parents argued they were denied free speech
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the students

4. Case Studies: Skokie v. Illinois
A Nazi group with uniforms displaying the swastika, plans a march in Skokie
The city blocks the march and protest
Illinois Supreme Court says the swastika cannot be banned, because it is a symbol of free speech
U.S. Supreme Court lets the decision stand

5. THE REST OF THE Amendments
17 more amendments following the Bill of Rights
Reflect efforts to adapt the Constitution to meet changing needs and attitudes

6. Changed the way voting was done for President and Vice President
11th and 12th Amendment
11th Amendment
A private citizen from one state cannot sue the government of another state in federal court
12th Amendment
Changed the way voting was done for President and Vice President

7. 13th Amendment
Abolished Slavery

8. 14th and 15th Amendment 14th Ensured citizenship for African-Americans
Took the power to grant citizenship away from the states
Called the Second Bill of Rights
Declares that no state may “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law” or “deny any person…..the equal protection of the laws”
Declares that states may not deny the right to vote to any person on the basis of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude”
African American men now allowed to vote

9. Some More Amendments 16th Amendment 17th Amendment 18th Amendment
Congress has the power to collect taxes on people’s income
17th Amendment
Senators now elected directly by the people of each state
18th Amendment
Banned alcohol making, selling, and transporting

10. Women’s Suffrage 19th Amendment
Women have the right to vote (suffrage)

11. More Amendments! 20th Amendment 21st Amendment
Commencement of Terms for the President and Vice-President
21st Amendment
Repealed the 18th Amendment

12. The 22nd and 23rd Amendments
Two term limit for Presidents
Follows Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected to four terms
23rd
Gave residents of Washington, D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections

13. Another step forward for voters
24th Amendment
Poll tax (a fee to vote) no longer allowed
A poll tax had been used in past years to keep poor people from voting, many of which were African American

14. Just a few more….and we are done!
25th Amendment
Presidential succession
26th Amendment
The right to vote age lowered from 21 to 18
27th Amendment
Congressional pay increases cannot go into effect until next term