AMENDMENTS: Changes or additions to the Constitution

Amendments 1-10These Amendments were designed to protect people from the power of their government and to give them rights

THE ANTI-FEDERALITS were AGAINST the ConstitutionMost Anti-Federalists lived in the southThey WOULD NOT SIGN THE CONSTITUTION until a Bill of Rights was addedWHY?????

Protects the liberties (freedoms) of individuals of the United States. The 5 freedoms protected by the 1st Amendment are:Religion: Government shall not establish a

religion…separation of church and state (government)

Speech: For the most part, people are free to say what they want…however there ARE exceptions! Threats, slander, “FIRE!” in a crowded theater, etc.

Press: The government cannot censor (edit) printed or published material

Assembly: People can gather together in protest as long as it is PEACEFUL and no laws are being broken…blocking an intersection, walking on private property, etc.

Petition the Government: Gather names of registered voters to allow certain bills to be voted on or passed in Congress

“Right to Bear Arms”

Protects our rights as citizens to “bear arms” (own guns). This is a very controversial and debatable amendment

No “Quartering of Troops”

Prohibits the government from forcing people to provide shelter for soldiers in their homes

“Unlawful search and seizure”This protects the privacy of citizens.

Warrants must be obtained in order for authorities to come in and search your home and take (seize) evidence. A judge must feel that there is “reasonable cause” in order to issue a warrant. If evidence is seized without a warrant it may not be used in court.

“Rights of the Accused” A person accused of a crime has rights.

Double-Jeopardy: A person may not be tried (put on trial) for the same exact crime twice.

Self-Incrimination: An accused person does NOT have to be a witness (testify) against himself. (“I invoke my 5th Amendment right”…”I plead the 5th)

Right to a speedy trialRight to a fair trial (an impartial judge)Right to be heard by a jury of your peers

(other citizens)Right to be confronted by your accuserGideon vs. Wainwright = A lawyer will be

provided for you if you cannot afford one

Provides the right to a jury trial in federal court in disputes over $20.00

If both parties agree, a judge can solely settle the case

No excessive bail (the bail amount should fit the crime).

Bail guarantees that the accused will be present for trial.

No cruel or unusual punishment (punishments should fit the crime and be reasonable)

All rights not spelled out in the Constitution are “retained by the people”

Prevents government from giving citizens ONLY the rights listed in the Bill of Rights

Protects rights not noted in the Constitituion

This Amendment allows for “States Rights”

Anything NOT specifically outlined in the Constitution is left to the individual STATES to organize and determine as according to what is best for them

11th AmendmentPrevents a state being sued in federal court by citizens of another state or nation.

12th AmendmentRequires the Electoral College to use separate ballots when voting for president & vice-president

13th Amendment: Ended slavery

14th Amendment: Gave rights of citizenship to former slaves

15th Amendment: Gave African-American men the right to vote

17th Amendment:Gave Congress the power to levy (collect) income taxes

18th Amendment: Prohibition of alcohol (made ALL alcohol ILLEGAL in the U.S.)

19th Amendment: Women’s Suffrage (gave women the right to vote)

20th Amendment: Shortened the time between presidential election & inauguration; January 20th = Inauguration Day & January 3rd = New Congress

*This prevents the idea that the old candidate is now a “Lame Duck”

21st Amendment: Repeals (cancels) the 18th Amendment (alcohol is now once again LEGAL in the U.S.)

22nd Amendment: Term limits for the President (maximum of two 4-year terms)

23rd Amendment: Gave voters in Washington DC the right to vote in Presidential elections

24th Amendment: Forbids requiring a poll tax to vote in a federal election

25th Amendment: Provides succession to the office of president in the event of death or incapacity and fills the vacant office of vice-president

26th Amendment: Changed the voting age from 18 to 21

27th Amendment: Bans Congress from increasing salaries until after the next election