Amendments 15-27

AMENDMENT 15: RIGHT TO VOTE - 1870

• The right of United States citizens to vote shall not be

abridged or denied on account of race, color or previous

condition of servitude

AMENDMENT 16: INCOME TAX - 1913

• Article 1, Section 9 was modified by

Congress• The Congress shall

have the power to lay and collect

taxes on income

AMENDMENT 17: DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS - 1913

• Article 1, Section 3 was modified by Congress• Senators will

forthwith be elected by the people of the state they represent

AMENDMENT 18: PROHIBITION - 1919

The manufacturing,

sale, or transport of intoxicating liquors in the

United States is hereby prohibited

Men drink at a “Speakeasy”

AMENDMENT 19: WOMAN SUFFRAGE - 1920

• “The right of citizens of the

United States to vote shall not be

denied or abridged on

account of sex.”

AMENDMENT 20: “LAME DUCK” SESSIONS - 1933

• Article 1, Section 4 was modified by Congress

• Term of President and VP end on January 20

• Senators & Reps on January 3

• (Amendment reduces time between election and end of term to reduce “lame

duck” effect)

AMENDMENT 21: REPEAL OF PROHIBITION - 1933

• The 18th Amendment of the

United States Constitution is

hereby repealed• Drinking is legal

again

AMENDMENT 22: LIMIT ON PRESIDENTIAL TERMS - 1951

• No person shall be

elected to the office of the

President more than

twicePassed shortly after Franklin Roosevelt was elected to 4

terms

AMENDMENT 23: VOTING IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 1961

• Residents of the District of Columbia

are entitled to vote in Presidential elections• Electors (3)

representing D.C. will insure the District’s

validity in Presidential elections

AMENDMENT 24: ABOLITION OF POLL TAXES - 1964

• The right of United States citizens to vote

in Presidential and Congressional

elections will not be denied by reason of

failure to pay any poll tax or other tax

1942 cartoon critical of Poll Tax

AMENDMENT 25: PRESIDENTIAL DISABILITY & SUCCESSION

• Article 2, Section 1 modified by Congress

• VP takes over if President is removed, dies, or

resigns• If VP has a vacancy, the

President shall nominate a VP who needs to be

confirmed by a majority of both houses

• (Other specifics regarding succession – VP, Speaker,

President Pro-Temp of the Senate, etc.)

The Vice President Speaker of the House President pro tempore of the SenateSecretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human ServicesSecretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation

Succession Order

AMENDMENT 26: 18-YEAR-OLD VOTE - 1971

• Amendment 14, Section 2 modified

• “The right of citizens of the United States

who are eighteen years of age or

older, to vote shall not be denied”

AMENDMENT 27: CONGRESSIONAL PAY - 1992

• “No law, varying the compensation for the

services of the Senators and

Representatives, shall take effect, until

an election of Representatives shall

have intervened”

Thus, Congress cannot vote themselves a pay increase

TODAY’S CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES• Gun Control and the 2nd

Amendment• Death Penalty and Cruel

and Unusual• Prayer in Schools 1st

Amendment• Censorship & Free Speech• Terrorism and Seize and

Seizure rules – 4th• Term Limits for Congress• Campaign finance reform• Abortion and Due Process

rights – 5th

Which amendment ended slavery?

• Amendment 13• Amendment 14• Amendment 15

Which amendment ended slavery?

• Amendment 13• Amendment 14• Amendment 15

Which amendment guarantees all people regardless of their race the right to vote?

• Amendment 14• Amendment 15• Amendment 19

• Amendment 14

• Amendment 15• Amendment 19

Which amendment guarantees all people regardless of their race the right to vote?

Which amendment allowed the government to tax people’s income?

• Amendment 14• Amendment 16• Amendment 19

Which amendment allowed the government to tax people’s income?

• Amendment 14• Amendment 16• Amendment 19

Name the amendment that protects the rights of all citizens.

• Amendment 14• Amendment 15• Amendment 19

Name the amendment that protects the rights of all citizens.

• Amendment 14• Amendment 15• Amendment 19

What amendment granted women the right to vote?

• Amendment 13• Amendment 16• Amendment 19

What amendment granted women the right to vote?

• Amendment 13• Amendment 16

• Amendment 19

Writing Activity• Choose the amendment that you believe is

the most important. Write a paragraph stating why you chose this amendment. Give details that will support your choice. You should have at least 4 sentences.

QUESTIONS???