American Politics and the US Constitution - C963 - Amendments

First Amendment

• Congress can make no law respecting the establishment of religion (First Amendment).

• Congress can make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion (First Amendment).

• Congress can make no law abridging the freedom of speech (First Amendment).

• Congress can make no law abridging the freedom of the press (First Amendment).

• Congress can make no law abridging the right of the people to peaceably assemble (First Amendment).

• Congress can make no law abridging the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances (First Amendment).

Second Amendment

The Second Amendment preserves the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, acknowledging the importance of a well-regulated militia.

Third Amendment

No quartering of soldiers without consent, or in a time of war unless authorized by law

Fourth Amendment

No searches or seizures without a warrant based on probable cause

Fifth Amendment

• Indictment by grand jury (Fifth Amendment)

• No double jeopardy (Fifth Amendment)

• No self-incrimination (Fifth Amendment)

• Due process of law necessary for deprivation of life, liberty, or property (Fifth Amendment)

• Just compensation for taking of private property for public use (Fifth Amendment)

Sixth Amendment

• You are entitled to a speedy and public trial.

• You are entitled to an impartial jury.

• Your trial is to take place where the crime was committed.

• You are entitled to know what crime you are alleged to have committed.

• You are entitled to confront any of the witnesses against you.

• You are entitled to compel people to testify on your behalf.

• You are entitled to have an attorney present to assist in your defense.

Seventh Amendment

• The right to a jury trial applies to civil cases in federal courts where the claim exceeds a certain amount of money

• Judges cannot overturn facts found by the jury

• The rules of common law govern how facts found by a jury can be re-examined in other courts

Eighth Amendment

• Excessive bail, fines prohibited (Eighth Amendment)

• No cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment)

Ninth Amendment

The listing of rights or liberties in the Constitution does not mean people are surrendering any rights or liberties not on this list

10th Amendment

Any power not delegated to the federal government remains in the hands of the state or the people

11th Amendment

prevents federal courts from hearing cases where a state is sued by citizens of another state or foreign citizens, establishing a principle known as state sovereign immunity

12th Amendment

The Twelfth Amendment made a series of adjustments to the Electoral College system. For the electors, it was now mandated that a distinct vote had to be taken for the president and the vice president.

13th Amendment

Ratified in 1865, the 13th Amendment made slavery and involuntary servitude illegal. There is, however, an exception: Persons duly convicted of a crime can be made to work without pay. This amendment served to formally emancipate (free) all enslaved peoples in the United States.

14th Amendment

Ratified in 1868, the 14th Amendment is perhaps the most important constitutional amendment ever. This importance comes from the amendment's formal definition of national citizenship and its requirement that states respect the "privileges or immunities" of this citizenship. These privileges or immunities include the due process of law and the equal protection of the law.

15th Amendment

The text of the 15th Amendment is simple. It guarantees that neither federal nor state governments can prohibit someone from voting because of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This amendment was passed as the last of the three “Reconstruction Amendments” in the years just after the Civil War—intended by their proponents to definitively end slavery and diminish its consequences.

16th Amendment

The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes, without apportionment among the states or regard to any census or enumeration

17th Amendment

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

18th Amendment

The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibited the sale, transportation, and manufacturing of alcohol. It was ratified on January 16, 1919. The amendment was driven by the temperance movement, which believed that alcohol was destructive and reckless. 

19th Amendment

Ratified in 1920, the 19th Amendment prohibits the denial of voting rights on account of sex. This amendment is necessary, despite the 15th, because the Supreme Court, in Minor v. Happersett, decided that the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause did not apply to women's right to vote.

After the 19th Amendment was passed, women did not immediately begin participating in elections at the same rate as men. The extent of this gender gap varied by state and may be attributed to variations in state laws regarding poll taxes or other discriminatory practices. It may also be attributed to a lack of experience with voting and the persistence of cultural norms about gender roles. Still, rates of voter participation among females eventually rose to surpass the levels of voter participation among men.

20th Amendment

changed the dates for presidential and congressional terms, moving the inauguration date to January 20th and the start of congressional terms to January 3rd

21st Amendment

repealed the 18th Amendment, which had implemented nationwide prohibition, and returned the regulation of alcohol to the individual states

22nd Amendment

Limits presidential terms to two

23rd Amendment

“Extending the Vote to the District of Columbia” Amendment Twenty-three to the Constitution was ratified on March 29, 1961. It gives electors to the District of Columbia – the capital city of the United States – so that it may participate in presidential elections.

24th Amendment

Over time, several states eliminated their poll taxes, but the complete ban of the practice did not come until the passage of the 24th Amendment in 1964. This reform, in combination with the Voting Rights Act and other legislation, helped to significantly increase voter participation among Black people.

25th Amendment

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

26th Amendment

Throughout much of American history, the required age to vote had been set at 21 years. During World War II, the minimum age for the military draft was lowered to 18 years of age, which led to some arguments that the voting age should also be lowered. These arguments became even more intense during the Vietnam Era, in which many argued that if a person is old enough to be conscripted into military service, it was only fair that they be able to vote for the elected officials who have the authority to send them to war. 

27th Amendment

Ratifies congressional pay raises, limiting their implementation until after the next election.