THE CONSTITUTION

• The Bill of Rights

• Amendments 11-19

• Amendments 20-27

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTSPROCESS BY WHICH CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE

CONSTITUTION

PROPOSAL• Amendments to the

Constitution must be approved by 2/3 of both houses of Congress to be proposed

(or)• 2/3 of the states call for

a national convention for the proposal of an amendment

RATIFICATION• Amendments must be

ratified by ¾ of the State Legislatures

Constitutional Flexibility

• Flexibility – the ability to adapt or change.

• Amendment Process – allows the Constitution to be changed (delete, add, or alter) to deal with problems.

• Why is this important?Under the Articles of Confederation, major changes were needed. (Example – power to tax) Required all 13 states, and thus could not change. New process allows Constitution to be changed.

Ideas in the Bill of Rights

• Civil Liberties – Freedom to think and act without government interference.

• Major Debate dealing with the Bill of Rights- Individual Rights v Society (Community Rights)- Must balance the exercise of individual rights and

protection of society.- This Debate has played out in public schools, times of war, etc…

• Limitations on Rights- Libel, Slander, Censorship, Rights of the Community

The Bill of Rights

• Amendment 1 – Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Petition, & Assembly

• Amendment 2 – Right to Bear Arms• Amendment 3 – Quartering of Soldiers• Amendment 4 – Search & Seizure• Amendment 5 – Rights of the Accused• Amendment 6 – Requirements for a Jury Trial• Amendment 7 – Rules of Common Law• Amendment 8 – Limits on Criminal Punishment• Amendment 9 – Rights Kept by the People• Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and the

People

Amendment 1RAPPS

Religion

Assembly

Press

Petition

Speech

Religion

Free Exercise Clause – Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

Establishment Clause – Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion.

Amendment 2

The Right to Bear Arms

• A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3

Quartering of Soldiers

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner prescribed by law.

Amendment 4

Search & Seizure

Search Warrants- Probable Cause- Specific for place, persons, or things.

Amendment 5

Rights of the Accused

• Grand Jury • Double Jeopardy• Privilege against Self-

Incrimination• Due Process of Law• Eminent Domain

Amendment 6Right to a Speedy Fair Trial

• Speedy & Public Trial• Impartial Jury of the State• Informed of nature & cause of

accusation• Confronted by Witness & have

witness in favor• Right to an Attorney

Amendment 7

Rights in a Civil Case

• Right to a jury trial in civil cases involving $20 or more.

• States have raised amount due to inflation

Amendment 8

Cruel & Unusual PunishmentExcessive bail shall not be required,

nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments

inflicted.

• Bail• Fines• Punishment

Amendment 9

Powers of the People

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

• ETC… Amendment

Amendment 10 Powers of the States

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or the people.

• Reserved Powers• Limited Government

Amendments 11-19

• Amendment 11 – Suits Against States• Amendment 12 – Presidential Election Method• Amendment 13 – Slavery Abolished• Amendment 14 – Civil Rights Guaranteed• Amendment 15 – Black Voting Rights• Amendment 16 – Income Tax• Amendment 17 – Direct Election of Senators• Amendment 18 – Prohibition• Amendment 19 – Women’s Voting Rights

Amendments 20-27

• Amendment 20 – Terms of Office (Lame Duck)• Amendment 21 – Repeal of Prohibition• Amendment 22 – Limits on Presidential Terms• Amendment 23 – Electors for the District of Columbia• Amendment 24 – Abolition of Poll Tax• Amendment 25 – Presidential Disability• Amendment 26 – Voting Age• Amendment 27 – Congressional Pay

Civil Rights Amendments

13th Amendment – Abolished Slavery

14th Amendment – Civil Rights guaranteed, regardless of race, etc...

15th Amendment – Black Voting Rights – cannot be denied the right to vote on the basis of race.

Suffrage Amendments

Suffrage – the right to vote

15th Amendment – Black Voting Rights19th Amendment – Women’s Voting

Rights23rd Amendment – Washington DC & the

Presidential Election24th Amendment – Abolish the poll tax26th Amendment – Lowered the Voting

Age to 18 years of age

Presidential Amendments

• Amendment 12 – Presidential Election

• Amendment 20 – Inauguration Day

• Amendment 22 – Two Term Limit

• Amendment 25 – Presidential Succession