1. The Amendments

2. Focus Question: Why is it important to be able to make changes to the Constitution?

3. The Amendment Process The Framers wanted to insure that the Constitution would last Prepare a method to amend the Constitution that gave the nation stability Over time, the Constitution has been amended 27 times.

4. The Amendments Bill of Rights ▫First 10 amendments ▫Outline our basic rights as citizens ▫Passed through a deal with Virginia

5. The Amendments (II) Structural Changes ▫Correct problems within the Constitution  Electoral College  “Lame Duck” Amendment  Direct Election of Senators  Presidential Term Limits

6. The Amendments (III) Expanding the definition of citizenship ▫Civil War Amendments ▫Suffrage Amendments  No restriction on racial/ethnic origin  No restriction on gender  18 year old vote  Poll tax

7. Amendments (IV) Overturn Supreme Court Decisions ▫Lawsuits against states ▫African-American citizenship ▫Income Taxes

8. Amendments (V) Moral Issues ▫Abolition ▫Prohibition (repealed)