1. (Packet 6) Major Amendments to the Constitution

2. The Constitution Has only been amended (changed) 26 times 27 times.
The first 10: The Bill of Rights
(which we’ll look at more in the next packet)
They’re all important, but some have had a bigger influence on history than others have.

3. The Civil War Amendments All were ratified (approved) at the end of the Civil War
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
All slaves would now be free.
Formers slaves were now American citizens (and should be treated equally).
Former slaves had the right to vote (men).

4. Others
16th Amendment
(43 years after 13/14/15th) Congress can collect a tax on people’s income.
18th Amendment (1919): Prohibition: Illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol in any way.

5. 21st Amendment: (1932)
Did away with the 18thAmendment.

6. More…
22nd Amendment:
No one can ever be elected President more than twice.
24th Amendment:
Poll taxes are illegal.

7. And…
25th Amendment:
If the President can’t be in power, the Vice President takes over.
If there’s no Vice President, the President can name a new one (approved by the Senate)
If the President is sick, he can temporarily give power to the Vice President.
26th Amendment:
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 (in 1971)

8. Presidential successors
Vice President -
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Veterans Affairs

9. The 27th Amendment
Congress cannot vote itself a pay raise – any pay raise only counts for the next Congress

10. The rest: 17: Senators elected by popular vote.
19: (in 1920) Women could vote (suffrage).
20: Presidential and Congressional dates.
23: District of Columbia can vote for President.

11. Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression
Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms
Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers
Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure
Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings
Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses
Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution
Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People
Amendment 11 - Judicial Limits
Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice President
Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished
Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights
Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote
Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified
Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote
Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished
Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage
Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms
Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed
Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits
Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Columbia
Amendment 24 - Poll Taxes Barred
Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Succession
Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years
Amendment 27 - Limiting Congressional Pay Increases