Academic Civics Mr. Blough History of the Amendment Process

Constitutional History Despite 27 amendments made, the amendments follow several historical patterns: Bill of Rights #1-10 (late 1780s) Civil War Amendments #13-15 (1860s) Progressive Era #16-20 (early 1900s-1930s) Modern Amendments #23-27(1960s-present)

Bill of Rights Era Created Amendments #1-10 Drafted by the anti-federalists, who believed the Constitution needed a safeguard against abuses by the national government Thomas Jefferson – supporter of Bill of Rights Many of the protections in Amendments 1-10 stem from British injustices during the colonial period

Civil War Amendments After the Union wins the Civil War, the rights of former slaves needs to be addressed: 13 th Amendment – makes slavery illegal in US 14 th Amendment – defines citizenship as “anybody born in the US or naturalized” Equal Protection Clause – state governments must protect people equally Applies the Bill of Rights to the state governments (incorporation) 15 th Amendment – African Americans given the right to vote

Progressive Era Conditions in the late 1800s and early 1900s force reformers to make changes to working conditions, political fairness, and other reforms to improve society 16 th Amendment – Gives Congress the power to levy national income tax 17 th Amendment - Senators are elected directly by the people, not by state representatives as originally mandated in Article I 18 th Amendment - makes alcohol consumption/production illegal 19 th Amendment – Suffrage to women (right to vote) 20 th Amendment – President’s term begins in Jan. after Nov. election

Modern-Era Amendments 22 nd Amendment – Presidential terms maxed at 2 (8 yrs. total) 23 rd Amendment – People in Washington DC get the right to vote 24 th Amendment – Abolishes poll tax 25 th Amendment – Explains who succeeds the president in the event of resignation, death, etc. 26 th Amendment – voting age: 18 years 27 th Amendment – Pay raises for Congress can’t occur until after they’re reelected

For the test tomorrow: Obviously, be sure to know the first ten amendments Also be sure to know the voting amendments (13,19,24,26) Know the limits on the freedoms in the Bill of Rights Civil vs. criminal cases – what’s the difference? Purpose of the Bill of Rights