Constitutional Amendments
Amendments 1 – 10 = The Bill of Rights. They were the 1st 10 Amendments, all ratified in 1791.
Instructions: the purpose of this assignment is to become familiar with the 27 Constitutional Amendments. Each question number refers to that number’s Constitutional Amendment. Pretty straightforward… Bolded Amendments are very much more likely to be on the Unit 1 Exam.
1) 1) What 5 rights does the 1st Amendment protect?
Speech, Press, Religion, Petition, Assembly
2) 2) What does it mean for citizens to have “the rights to bear arms”?
Citizens have the right to carry guns.
3) 3) Summarize the 3rd Amendment
Rights to Privacy
4) 4) Summarize the 4th Amendment
To be protected against unreasonable searches and seizures.
5) 5) What is ‘due process of law’?
Legal requirement that the state must respect all of the legal rights that all humans have.
6) 6) Summarize the 6th Amendment
The right to a speedy trail, to a public trial, to be judged by an impartial jury, to be notified of the nature of circumstances of the alleged crime, to witness who will testify against the accused, to the right to find witnesses who will speak in favor of the accused, the right to have a lawyer.
7) 7) Summarize the 7th Amendment
Right to trial by jury, they can’t convict you without a jury
8) 8) Summarize the 8th Amendment
To prohibit the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or
cruel and unusual punishment.
9) 9) Explain the 9th Amendment
Addresses right of the people that are not specifically enumerated in the constitution.
1 Summarize the 10 Amendment
The Federal Government can only abide by the constitution the state government interprets the constitution.
11) In your own words, explain the 11th Amendment.
You can’t sue a state in the Federal Court system.
12) Summarize the 13th Amendment
Officially outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude
13) What is ‘due process of law’ and what is meant by ‘equal protection of the laws’?
To have equal protection of the laws is so that all laws protect everyone not matter religious background etc.
14) Who is extended suffrage under the 15th Amendment?
African Americans were now allowed the suffrage to vote, but nothing said about woman.
15) Summarize the 16th Amendment.
Allows Congress to create an income tax without apportioning it among the states.
16) The 17th Amendment changed what of the original Constitution? Who now elects Senators?
It changes Article 1 S. 3 C. 1&2. The state legislatures voted for the U.S. Senators. Now it is up to the popular vote to elect Senators.
17) Meh… prohibition
18) Who is extended suffrage under the 19th Amendment?
Women are now allowed to vote.
19) Presidential terms times.
20) end of prohibition by repealing 18th Amendment.
21) What is the limit on the number of terms a President can hold office? How many years is one term?
Two terms. Four Years.
22) Who/what is extended suffrage under the 23rd Amendment? What’s the condition of the extension of suffrage?
Citizens in the District of Columbia are aloud to vote for Electors for President and V.P.
23) How is suffrage extended under the 24th Amendment?
Prohibited Congress and states from allowing the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax. African Americans are no longer scared to vote.
24) Briefly outline the line of Presidential succession during a President’s term.
25) Who is extended suffrage under the 26th Amendment?
Citizens at the age of 18
26) Makes it more difficult to increase Congressional pay. Note when it was originally proposed!
