(Packet 6) Major Amendments to the Constitution

The Constitution

• Has only been amended (changed)

26 times 27 times.

• The first 10: The Bill of Rights

(which we’ll look at more in the next packet)

• They’re all important, but some have had a bigger influence on history than others have.

The Civil War AmendmentsAll were ratified (approved) at the end of the Civil War

• 13th Amendment• 14th Amendment• 15th Amendment

• All slaves would now be free.

• Formers slaves were now American citizens (and should be treated equally).

• Former slaves had the right to vote (men).

Others

• 16th Amendment

(43 years after 13/14/15th) Congress can collect a tax on people’s income.

18th Amendment (1919): Prohibition: Illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol in any way.

21st Amendment: (1932)Did away with the 18thAmendment.

More…

• 22nd Amendment:

No one can ever be elected President more than twice.

24th Amendment:

Poll taxes are illegal.

And…

• 25th Amendment:

1. If the President can’t be in power, the Vice President takes over.

2. If there’s no Vice President, the President can name a new one (approved by the Senate)

3. If the President is sick, he can temporarily give power to the Vice President.

• 26th Amendment:

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 (in 1971)

Presidential successors1. Vice President - 2. Speaker of the House 3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate 4. Secretary of State 5. Secretary of the Treasury 6. Secretary of Defense 7. Attorney General 8. Secretary of the Interior 9. Secretary of Agriculture 10. Secretary of Commerce 11. Secretary of Labor 12. Secretary of Health and Human Services 13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 14. Secretary of Transportation 15. Secretary of Energy 16. Secretary of Education 17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

The 27th Amendment

• Congress cannot vote itself a pay raise – any pay raise only counts for the next Congress

The rest:

• 17: Senators elected by popular vote.• 19: (in 1920) Women could vote (suffrage).• 20: Presidential and Congressional dates.• 23: District of Columbia can vote for President.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People Amendment 11 - Judicial Limits Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice President Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Columbia Amendment 24 - Poll Taxes Barred Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Succession Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years Amendment 27 - Limiting Congressional Pay Increases