1. The Amendments to the Constitution Unit 4

2. First 10 amendments to the ConstitutionFirst 10 amendments to the Constitution Guarantees personal rights to life, liberty, and propertyGuarantees personal rights to life, liberty, and property Added to ensure that all states would ratify the ConstitutionAdded to ensure that all states would ratify the Constitution Most of the amendments relate to specific complaints against the British ruleMost of the amendments relate to specific complaints against the British rule Bill of Rights 4-14-1

3. Freedom of:Freedom of:  Religion Establishment Clause – the government cannot make us all one religionEstablishment Clause – the government cannot make us all one religion The government cannot prohibit expressions of religionThe government cannot prohibit expressions of religion  Speech When does a person’s freedom intrude on someone else’s rights?When does a person’s freedom intrude on someone else’s rights? First Amendment

5.  Press The Press acts as a watchdog over the governmentThe Press acts as a watchdog over the government Freedom of press can be limited to prevent lies and protect people’s safetyFreedom of press can be limited to prevent lies and protect people’s safety  To assemble or protest peacefully Means you have the right to criticize the government, as long as it does not interfere with othersMeans you have the right to criticize the government, as long as it does not interfere with others  To petition the government You can contact your government with complaints, concerns, or ideasYou can contact your government with complaints, concerns, or ideas First Amendment

6. Grants the right to own a gun for militia purposesGrants the right to own a gun for militia purposes Gun ownership can serve as another check and balance on the governmentGun ownership can serve as another check and balance on the government Are restrictions on gun ownership constitutional?Are restrictions on gun ownership constitutional? Second Amendment

7. The government may not house soldiers in private homesThe government may not house soldiers in private homes Third Amendment

8. Searches and seizures must be reasonableSearches and seizures must be reasonable Requires warrants or just cause for searchesRequires warrants or just cause for searches Fourth Amendment

9. Protects the rights of accused peopleProtects the rights of accused people A Grand Jury must indict a person if there is enough evidenceA Grand Jury must indict a person if there is enough evidence A person may not be tried more than once for the same crime (double jeopardy)A person may not be tried more than once for the same crime (double jeopardy) People cannot be forced to testify against themselves (“I plead the fifth”)People cannot be forced to testify against themselves (“I plead the fifth”) Fifth Amendment

10. The right to a speedy and public trialThe right to a speedy and public trial The right to know all of the accusations against you and the accusersThe right to know all of the accusations against you and the accusers Legal counsel must be provided to defendantsLegal counsel must be provided to defendants Sixth Amendment

11. Says that jury trials are available for civil suitsSays that jury trials are available for civil suits –Civil Cases are lawsuits that do NOT result in criminal punishment Seventh Amendment

12. No excessive finesNo excessive fines No cruel and unusual punishmentNo cruel and unusual punishment –Directly relates to the debate over the death penalty as people disagree over what’s cruel and unusual. Eighth Amendment

13. People’s rights are not limited to those mentioned in the ConstitutionPeople’s rights are not limited to those mentioned in the Constitution Ninth Amendment

14. The state retains all powers not expressed or prohibited in the ConstitutionThe state retains all powers not expressed or prohibited in the Constitution Tenth Amendment

15. #11 Amendment– Federal courts cannot rule in lawsuits against states #12 Amendment– Changes to the electoral college process #13 Amendment– Abolished slavery #14 Amendment– Equal protection of the laws to all races #15 Amendment– Black males given the right to vote #16 Amendment– Income tax Changes in Government Functions

16. #17 Amendment– Direct election of senators #18 Amendment– Prohibition of alcohol #19 Amendment– Women’s right to vote #20 Amendment– Changes dates for inauguration and start of a new session of Congress #21 Amendment– Repeal of prohibition of alcohol, Amendment # 18 Changes in Government Functions

17. #22 Amendment– Limits president to two terms #23 Amendment– Electoral votes for Washington, D.C. #24 Amendment– Outlawed poll taxes –tax charged for voting #25 Amendment– Presidential disability and line of succession Changes in Government Functions

18. #26 Amendment– 18 yr. old right to vote #27 Amendment– Limits on Congressional pay raises