PS 102 Constitutional Amentments

The Bill of Rights

Madison drafted 19 proposed amendments guaranteeing liberties in
response to Anti-federalists that nat’l govt too powerful and Const. did not
provide for protection of individual rights
12 were accepted by 2/3 of Congress; only 10 ratified by ¾ of state
legislatures

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a
redress of grievances.

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms for protection

Third Amendment

The right not to provide shelter or provisions to soldiers during Peacetime

Fourth Amendment

The right to be protected against unreasonable searches and seizures without
probable cause

Fifth Amendment

● No double jeopardy
● Right against self-incrimination
● Right to due process - people cannot be deprived of their life, liberty, or property
except by a legal proceeding,

Sixth Amendment

● Right to trial by jury of peers and right to counsel
● Speedy trial and right to face accuser(s)

Seventh Amendment

● Civil suits entitled to jury trial

Eighth Amendment

● Protection against cruel and inhuman treatment, and excessive fines

Ninth Amendment

● Catch all - people protected by unenumerated right, liberties extend beyond those spelled out
(Right to Privacy)

Tenth Amendment

States Possess all Powers not explicitly granted to FEDS (a class of powers known as RESERVED POWERS)

Eleventh Amendment

Federal Courts lack jurisdiction in matters against states brought by citizens
of states, or citizens of foreign states

Twelfth Amendment

Changes election of VP - now runs with President, prior to amendment, the
VP was runner up in election

The 13th, 14th, 15th & 19th Amendment

Result of long-fought campaigns by supporters of abolition and expansion of
voting rights to ALL citizens, regardless of race or gender.
Gained momentum during Reconstruction

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished Slavery in the US

Fourteenth Amendment

● Granted Citizenship to African Americans and Equal Protection under the
Laws
● Prohibited States from depriving residents of life, liberty or property (Inherent
Rights (LOCKE) without a legal proceeding

Fifteenth Amendment

● Gave men the right to vote regardless of race or color

Nineteenth Amendment

1920 - Gave women the right to vote

Twenty-Third Amendment (1961)

Allowed residents of Washington, DC to vote for the president, adding electors to
Electoral College

Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964

Abolished the use of poll taxes.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

This Amendment reduced the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen.

Sixteenth Amendment

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from
whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and
without regard to any census or enumeration

Seventeenth Amendment

1913 - Senators elected directly by the people – changed the Great
Compromise

Twentieth Amendment

Sets starting terms for President/Congress
I.e. President term begins at Noon on January 20, every 4th year.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Following FDR’s election to a 4th term, sets Presidential Term Limits (2
elections, unless succeeded to office and served 2 or more years, then only 1 term elected)

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

● In case of removal, death or resignation of President, VP becomes President
(clarified VP president not acting president), plans for contingency in case of
President’s incapacity
● President can nominate a VP if vacancy, must be confirmed by a majority of
Congress.

18th Amendment

prohibited the manufacture, import, export, distribution,
transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages

The 27th Amendment

ratified in 1992, though first submitted in 1789, ensures that any
laws regarding congressional representatives’ compensation only come into force after
the next election cycle

21st Amendment

Repealed the 18th Amendment.