AP Amendments Part 2: 18th–27th Summary

18th Amendment: Prohibition

Ratified: $1919$. Problem: Alcoholism and related social issues such as broken families and health problems. Solution: Prohibited creating or selling alcohol. Historical Impact: A major goal of the Progressive reform movement; 13 years of Prohibition; Temperance Movement is an example of Pluralist Democracy.

19th Amendment: Voting Rights for Women

Ratified: $1920$. Problem: Women could not vote in every state. Solution: Prohibits denying the right to vote on the basis of sex. Historical Impact: A major goal of the Progressive reform movement; a significant step toward equal rights for women.

20th Amendment: Defining Federal Terms

Ratified: $1933$. Problem: The
"Lame-Duck" period between the November election and the start of the new president and Congress term was long and inefficient. Solution: Moves start of Presidential terms to $January ext{ }20$ and Congressional terms to $January ext{ }3$. Historical Impact: Leaders take office sooner; reduces lame-duck period.

21st Amendment: Repealing Prohibition

Ratified: $1933$. Problem: Prohibition backfired, fueling organized crime and a black market. Solution: Repeals the 18th Amendment; legalizes the sale and consumption of alcohol again. Historical Impact: The only time an Amendment has been repealed; ended Prohibition and the Progressive Era policy.

22nd Amendment: Presidential Term Limits

Ratified: $1951$. Problem: Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms. Solution: Limits the President to $2$ terms, and up to $10$ years total. Historical Impact: Codifies the two-term tradition in line with longstanding practice of limited government.

23rd Amendment: Electoral College Representation for Washington D.C.

Ratified: $1961$. Problem: Washington D.C. is not a state, so residents could not vote for president. Solution: Gives Washington D.C. a number of Electoral College votes up to the number of votes given to the least populous state. Historical Impact: Partially solved DC’s lack of presidential representation; still no voting representation in Congress.

24th Amendment: Tax Free Voting Rights

Ratified: $1964$. Problem: Jim Crow poll taxes designed to suppress minority voting. Solution: Prohibits denying the right to vote for failing to pay a poll tax or any other tax. Historical Impact: A major Civil Rights milestone; expanded voting rights for racial minorities and those with low income.

25th Amendment: Presidential Succession

Ratified: $1967$. Problem: Unclear presidential line of succession and questions about incapacitation (Kennedy era vulnerabilities). Solution: Clarifies the process to replace the President and Vice-President if they die or cannot fulfill duties. If the President cannot fulfill duties, the Vice President and Cabinet can declare; the Vice President becomes Acting President; Congress can remove that decision by a 2/3 vote. Historical Impact: No president has been removed under the 25th; the provision has enabled temporary transfer of power (Acting President) during medical procedures and transitions.

26th Amendment: Lowering the Voting Age

Ratified: $1971$. Problem: 18-year-olds were drafted for war but could not vote. Solution: Lowers the voting age from $21$ to $18$. Historical Impact: Amplified youth participation; a milestone in universal suffrage and youth rights.

27th Amendment: Congressional Salary Changes

Ratified: $1992$. Problem: Members of Congress could vote to raise their own salaries. Solution: Salary changes take effect only after the next election. Historical Impact: Originally proposed with the Bill of Rights; ratified after two centuries due to a nationwide campaign, reinforcing checks on legislative self-interest.