Amendments

SWBAT:

AmendmentsAmendments are the Changes

**First 10 Amendments are called the Bill of Rights – added in 1788 (States insisted that a list of rights be added before all

would ratify the Constitution)

** Nine States had to ratify the Constitution before it was considered Supreme Law of the Land

** There are 27 Amendments to the Constitution as of this date

**Amendment I** Freedom of Religion, speech, press, assembly and

petition

Religion: Congress shall not pass a law requiring an official religion – citizens can choose their own religion or choose no religion

Speech: the right to speak without fear of punishment (must be true – no slander)

Press: the right of newspapers, TV, etc..to print (say) whatever they feel is newsworthy without censorship

Assembly: the right to gather together in a groupPetition: the right to ask the government to change

things

**Amendment II: The Right to Bear Arms

Arms = Weapons or Guns

Gives Americans the right to own weapons…some controversy in this day and age

What do you think?

Amendment III: Outlaws Quartering

What do we know about quartering?

Amendment III outlaws quartering during peacetime and authorizes Congress to pass a law concerning quartering of soldiers in wartime.

** Amendment IV: Search and Seizure

Before Article IV there was no protection from the government/police entering your home or arresting you at any time.

**Amendment IV outlaws unreasonable searches and seizures

This protects citizens from being wrongly arrested or searched

** Amendment V: No Double Jeopardy/No Self-incrimination/

Guaranteed Due ProcessDouble Jeopardy = You can’t be tried twice for the same crime

Self-incrimination = You can’t be forced to “tell on yourself” – witness against yourself

Due Process = What ever a person does, the government cannot take away his/her right to life, liberty, or property without first going through the proper steps

Note: The government may in some instances take property (for the good of all), but must pay a fair price - Eminent Domain

** Treason is the only crime specifically defined by the US Constitution

** Amendment VI: Fair and Speedy Trial

All people accused of a crime are guaranteed the right to a fair, fast, and public trial in court and have a lawyer represent them – even if they cannot afford one.

Amendment VI is set up to protect the rights of the accused.

Amendment VII: Trial by Jury

In cases of 20 or more dollars – the Constitution guarantees an individual the right to a jury trial. – Individuals can decide not have a jury trial and allow the judge to decide his or her guilt or innocence.

** Amendment VIII: Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Protects against excessive bail or punishment in unusual ways

What does this mean?

Amendment IX: The “etcetera” amendment

Other rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are given to the people

Just because its not mentioned in the constitution doesn’t mean you do not have that right

i.e. The right sue someone who has caused damage to you or your property

Amendment X: Gives powers to States and their people that are not

specifically mentioned

i.e…..The Constitution does not mention education ….therefore, it is the job of the state governments to educate their people

Amendment XI: State Immunity

The Eleventh Amendment (Amendment XI) deals with each State's sovereign immunity from being sued in federal court by someone of another state or country.

In other words, a private citizen from Missouri --for instance--cannot sue another state in federal court. The same holds true for someone from a foreign country.

**Amendment XII: Pres./Vice Pres. Same Ballot

Prior to the XII Amendment, the President and Vice President were elected by separate ballots. By 1800 political parties had begun to develop, and it became clear that having the two from separate parties may not be good idea (different ideas) – so Amendment XII was established to place the President and Vice-President on the same ballot for election.

** Amendment XIII: Abolished Slavery

Passed in 1865 – The XIII Amendment abolished slavery, but it took a Civil War to actually end the practice

**Amendment XIV: Defines US Citizenship

Guarantees all Americans (regardless of race) the rights listed in the Constitution. Also, included blacks into census counts for population….What did this effect?

** Amendment XV: Black Sufferage

Amendment XV gave former slaves the right to vote

** Amendments 13, 14, and 15 are known as the Civil Right Amendments as they outline citizen rights to all races

** Amendment XVI: Income Tax

Prior to the 16th Amendment the Federal Government made money only on imports ---After the 16th Amendment, each person paid a tax according to th amount of money he or she made.

Is this fair?

Amendment XVII: Senators Elected by the people of the State

Prior to the 17th Amendment, the state legislatures elected Federal Senators – after the 17th Amendment: The people of the state voted for themselves

** Amendment XVIII: Prohibition

The outlaw of alcohol

What about cigarettes, soda, cheeseburgers?

Just asking……..Something to think about. Should the government enforce laws that

protect people from themselves?

**Amendment XIX: Women’s Sufferage

Mrs. Koppelmann’s favorite Amendment1920

Gave Women the Right to Vote !!!!

Amendment XX: Lame Duck Period

When the Constitution was ratified, travel was slow, and news traveled even slower. Because of this, the President and Congress were given many months between their elections and the time when they were sworn in. The old officials were known as “lame ducks” because they did not have much time left or much power. The 20th amendment shortened the President’s “Lame Duck” period from March 4 to January 20th. Congress now begins on Jan. 3rd

** Amendment XXI: Repealed the 18th Amendment

The end of ProhibitionAlcohol legal Once Again

This was needed because their was not enough law enforcement to enforce a law that was

opposed by so many Americans

**Amendment XXII: Limits Pres. To 2 terms

George Washington served 2 terms – other Presidents used this as an example until Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to a 3rd and 4th term of office.

After this – Congress Amended the Constitution to officially limit the term of office of President to 2 terms.

Why do you think this is important? Or is it important?

Amendment XXIII: D.C. gets right to vote

The District of Columbia is not a state….By 1960 it had a large population that was left

out of the election process. The 23rd amendment gave citizens of DC the right to participate in National Elections.

Amendment XXIV: No Voters TaxWhy is this important?

**Amendment XXV: Presidential Succession

** Outlines the when the VP will become president….1. The President Dies2. The President Resigns3. The President is impeached and removed from office4. President becomes ill and temporarily give authority

to the VP to act as PresidentIn the event the President is assasinated, the VP becomes

President. S/He then appoints a new VP, who must be approved by majority vote from both houses of Congress

** Amendment XXVI: 18 years old right vote

Amendment XXVII: Any changes in Congresses salary cannot take effect until after the next election.

Amendment Bingo