1. Amendments
To the U.S. Constitution

2. The Bill of Rights
Amendments 1 through 10

3. How do you expect to be treated?
Introductory Video

4. Background Information
Written by James Madison after a call from several states for individual protections from the government
Remember the arguments between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists—Madison was an Anti-Federalist
He was influenced by George Mason, author of The Virginia Declaration of Rights
This Bill of Rights LIMITS the powers of our government

5. The 1st Amendment
Guarantees the freedom of religion, speech, press, and peaceable assembly
Religion: we can practice or not practice any beliefs
Speech: we can share what we think about the government (but we cannot tell lies or incite panic)
Press: we can print what we think about the government
Peaceable Assembly: we can hold demonstrations if we go through the right steps
Petition: we have the right to express our views and ask for change

6. Religion
What should we do when “the enemy” is represented in America?

7. Speech
Where should we draw the line? Should there be a line?

8. Peaceable Assembly
What are you willing to protest? What steps should we have to go through to be protected by this amendment?

9. Press Involves much more today that ever expected!
What do we really need to know?

10. Right to Petition Have you ever been asked to sign a petition?
We can try to change laws ourselves through petition…
Create a law
Acquire enough signatures
Place it on the ballot for citizens to decide

11. The 2nd Amendment Guarantees the right to bear arms
The actual wording: Amendment II: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Today, we have so much controversy about what this means
A state Army
Weapons for hunting
The ability to defend ourselves
Simple versus high powered guns

12. Some of the Issues Should people have weapons at all?
Are any weapons unacceptable?
Should there be rules about who can have them?
Should there be rules about how we acquire them?
Should people be able to carry them around?
Is it alright to conceal weapons?
Do legal and illegal weapons contribute to crime?
Who should make these rules?

13. Should we own guns?
For
Against

14. The 3rd Amendment
Not really an issue now, but was quite common in Colonial America

15. The 4th Amendment Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
Police need a warrant to search your property, but if they have a good enough reason they can search you
Things to consider
Stop and frisk
Searching a home
Searching a car
Phone taps
Looking through garbage on the curb
Social media

16. The 5th Amendment
Due Process: there has to be some serious evidence to even accuse a person of a crime; grand juries will make this decision
Plead the Fifth: we don’t have to incriminate ourselves
No Double Jeopardy: we can’t be tried for the same crime twice

17. Consider These:
The Patriot Act: passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in 2001
Allowed the government to detain immigrants, listen in on phone conversations, and search homes and businesses; was a response to the 9/11 attacks
The National Defense Authorization Act: passed by Congress and signed by President Obama each year
Newest provision allows for indefinite incarceration
Are these violations of the 5th Amendment?

18. The 6th Amendment
If you’re accused of a crime, what rights do you have?
A speedy trial
A public trial
An impartial jury
A court appointed attorney
The right to confront/question witnesses and the accuser

19. 7th Amendment
Regarding civil cases—where one person sues another person
If it involves more than $1500 (the Constitution says $20), it has to be held before a jury; otherwise it’s settled in small claims court
A person cannot go to jail because of a civil case

20. 8th Amendment We need to have an appropriate bail
No cruel or unusual punishment
Is Capital Punishment Constitutional?

21. The 9th Amendment
It reads: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Some call this the Silent Amendment because there is some power in it’s lack of words
In 1958, Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson wrote that the rights protected by the Ninth Amendment "are still a mystery."

22. The 10th Amendment
Powers not granted to the Federal Government are left up to the individual states.
What are some issues that could be involved?
This is where we stand right now with same-sex marriage.

23. Video: hand trick ? Bill of Rights in 30 Seconds
You can do a better job than that! Write a script and act it out.
Include all 10 amendments
Aim for less than a minute
Worth 15 points
Present or share a video for 15 bonus points

24. Reconstructive Era Amendments
Amendments 13 through 15

25. Civil War Separation

26. What is the Reconstructive Era?
Refers to the period following the Civil War; the United States had been divided and needed to be reconstructed.
Questions that existed:
How would the Confederate states be readmitted?
What about emancipation for slaves?
Do all the black men have the same status as white men?
What about Confederate leaders? Are they traitors?

27. The 13th Amendment
Ended slavery within the United States and anywhere within its jurisdiction
Congress will pass laws necessary to enforce this Amendment
Pass and ratified in 1865

28. The 14th Amendment
Everyone born in the United States or naturalized is a citizen of the U.S. and of the state where he/she resides
All citizens, regardless of color, have the same rights
Pass in 1866 and ratified in 1868
Should this be amended?

29. The 15th Amendment
The right to vote cannot be denied to a citizen, regardless of color, race, or previous condition of servitude
Meaning: African Americans (including former slaves) can vote
Passed in and ratified in 1870

30. Progressive Era Amendments
Amendments 16 through 19

31. What is the Progressive Era?
Covers the time period from 1890 to 1920
An umbrella label for a wide range of economic, political, social, and moral reforms
Was a result of the industrial revolution and the growth of cities

32. The 16th Amendment
Congress can collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration
If you’re going to have social services, someone has to pay for them!
Passed in 1909 and ratified in 1913

33. The Tax Controversy
There are citizens that refuse to pay taxes—and tax fraud is a federal offense 
Some cite earlier amendments as offering protection
Some claim this amendment was never legally ratified

34. The 17th Amendment
Under the Constitution, Senators were elected by individual state legislatures
This Amendment gave citizens the right to elect the Senators that represent their state
Passed in 1912 and ratified in 1913

35. The 18th Amendment Our Amendment for Prohibition
Within one year of ratification—no more alcohol
Ratified in 1917 and passed in 1919

36. Roots for Prohibition
By 1830, the average American over 15 years old consumed nearly seven gallons of pure alcohol a year – three times as much as we drink today.
Alcohol abuse (primarily by men) was wreaking havoc on the lives of many, particularly in an age when women had few legal rights and were utterly dependent on their husbands for sustenance and support.

37. History of Prohibition
Supporting the Ban
Against the Ban
History of Prohibition

38. Passed in 1919 and ratified in 1920
The 19th Amendment
The right to vote will not be restricted by gender… women have the right to vote
Passed in 1919 and ratified in 1920

39. Extensions of Suffrage
Amendments 15, 19, 23, 24, and 26

40. The 15th Amendment
Remember, this Amendment extended voting privileges to African American men

41. The 19th Amendment
Remember, this Amendment extended voting privileges to women

42. The 23rd Amendment
Extended the right to vote for president to the residents of Washington, D.C.; prior to this, they were unable to vote for President!
Cannot have more electoral votes than the fewest assigned to a state
Passed in 1960 and ratified in 1961

43. The 24th Amendment Eliminated poll taxes
At this time, five states were still charging taxes to vote! They were: Virginia, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
No one has to pay for the right to vote!
Passed in 1962 and ratified in 1964.

44. The 26th Amendment Lowered the voting age to 18 from 21
Discussion first began during WWII when the draft age was lowered to 18
Passed and ratified in 1971— the fastest amendment to be ratified

45. The Presidency
Amendments 12, 20, 22, and 25

46. The 12th Amendment
Provisions for electing a President and a Vice President
Prior to this amendment, the Electoral College would vote for who they thought should be president; the person with the most votes became President, the second most became Vice President—even if they were from different political parties
The VP must be Constitutionally eligible to be President
Passed in 1803 and ratified in 1804

47. The 20th Amendment Set the terms for the President and Congress
A Presidential term begins at noon on January 20th
Each Congressional term begins at noon on January 3rd—and they’re required to meet
Passed in 1932 and ratified in 1933

48. The 22nd Amendment Limits a President to two four-year terms in office
Trend to serve two terms started with Washington
FDR ignored this trend and was elected FOUR times during the Depression and World War II
If a VP finishes more than two years of a presidential term, it counts as a full term
Passed in 1947 and ratified in 1951

49. The 25th Amendment What happens to the Presidency if the president is Impaired, disabled, or unable to perform his duties?
1. VP automatically becomes President if the current President dies, resigns, or is removed from office
2. The President can choose a new VP if something happens (must be approved by Congress)
3. VP can become Acting President temporarily with a written declaration to begin and end this time
4. The VP and Congress can act in an emergency to say the President is unfit to serve
The first three provisions have been used, the fourth hasn’t
Proposed in 1965 and ratified in 1967.

50. Unique Historical Circumstances
Amendments 11, 21, and 27

51. The 11th Amendment
Declares the state governments sovereign—meaning they are exempt from criminal or civil lawsuit
As a citizen of Ohio, if I sue California it must go to the U.S. Supreme Court
Was seen as a protection for the states from the Judicial Branch
Proposed in 1794 and ratified in 1795

52. The 21st Amendment The repeal of Prohibition
Proposed and ratified in 1933

53. The 27th Amendment
Congressional salaries will not change until AFTER the election of Representatives to the House.
Proposed in 1789 , but not ratified until 1992!
This had been a part of the proposed amendments that became the Bill of Rights

54. Review the Amendments

55. Supreme Court Cases and The Amendments
Work alone or with a small group—chose an amendment for each person
Find at least two U.S. Supreme Court cases that dealt with the Amendment(s)
Word the Amendment(s) in your own words
Summarize the court cases
Explain how these cases strengthened the protection of the Amendment(s) for the American people

56. Potential Future Amendments

57. Why add an Amendment?
Remember, an Amendment is a CHANGE to the Constitution
Why would we change this important document?
Proposed by Congress or State Legislatures; voted on by State Legislatures or State Conventions
We’ve had Amendments dealing with civil rights, suffrage, and citizenship

58. Legalization of Marijuana
Green = legal
Black = illegal
Blue = medicinal use
Gold = medicinal use and decriminalized
Tan = decriminalized

59. Same Sex Marriage
Gold = No Rights
Purple = Full Rights

60. Immigration Reform

61. Your Assignment!
Write a persuasive paper addressing a future potential amendment or a change in a current amendment.
Include personal reasons to support passage of this amendment, but also look up some research that supports it.
Craft a well-written five paragraph paper that
Introduces your amendment
Includes at least three separate reasons/supports
A conclusion that calls for action