Lesson 5

Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

The Bill of Rights
Table of Amendments I-X
Table of Amendments XI-XXVII
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In 1787, many people were unhappy with the Constitution. They felt it did not guarantee individual freedoms and rights. The writers of the Constitution believed in personal freedom and liberties. They just didn't think the Constitution needed to spell them out. But when several states refused to ratify the Constitution, the writers promised to add a list of those rights.

The Constitution was ratified in 1788, and as the Constitution directed, a president and Congress were elected. On September 25, 1789, the first Congress proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution. Ten of these 12 proposed amendments were approved by three fourths of the state legislatures and became what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

The Bill of Rights did not change the constitution in any way, but it did make clear what rights the government must protect.

Amendments I-X The Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791
I (1)	Article 1 guarantees or protects five freedoms: freedom of religion--people can practice any religion they want and Congress cannot establish a religion for the country freedom of speech freedom of the press the right to assemble peacefully the right to petition the government
II (2)	The right to bear arms. The federal government cannot take away the right of people to have guns.
III (3)	Housing of soldiers People cannot be forced to feed and shelter soldiers in their homes
IV (4)	Search and seizure People must be safe from police searches and arrests in their homes. To search a home, to arrest someone, or to remove evidence, a court order or warrant must be issued by a judge. A judge can only issue a warrant with good reason. Evidence that is seized (taken) in violation of this amendment cannot be used in court.
V (5)	Rights in criminal cases People accused of serious crimes must first be indicted by a grand jury before being tried.. People cannot be forced to testify against themselves. Once declared not guilty, a person cannot be tried again for the same crime (double jeopardy). Accused people have the right to due process; they must receive fair treatment according to the law.
VI (6)	Right to a fair trial People accused of a crime must be told what crimes they have been charged with have the right to a speedy and public trial have the right to a lawyer have the right to question witnesses
VII (7)	Rights in civil cases People have the right to a jury trial in civil cases in federal courts. Civil cases are about non-criminal problems, for example a divorce, damages in a car crash, or somebody suing somebody else.
VIII (8)	Bail, Fines and punishment A person found guilty can not receive cruel or unusual punishment. Excessive bail and excessive fines cannot be charged
IX (9)	Other rights not mentioned People have many other rights that are not listed in the Constitution. Even if not listed, people still have these rights.
X (10)	Powers reserved to the states Powers not given to the federal government and not kept from the states belong to the state governments and to the people.

Amendments XI-XXVII (11 through 27)

XI (11) 1795	Lawsuits against states A state cannot be sued by a citizens from a different state or a foreign country.
XII (2) 1804	Presidential elections This amendment made rules for the electoral college and explained how the president and vice president were to be elected.
XIII (13) 1865	End of slavery This amendment ended slavery in the United States. Slavery was no longer legal in the U.S. or any land that belonged to the U.S.
XIV (14) 1868	Due process and rights of citizens All persons born in the U.S. are citizens. This amendment gave citizenship to African Americans and native Americans. The rights of citizens cannot be taken away by states. States must give all citizens equal protection under the law and due process.
XV (15) 1870	Right of blacks to vote People (men) have the right to vote no matter what race or color. This amendment gave former slaves the right to vote. Women did not yet have the right to vote.
XVI (16) 1913	Income tax Congress can collect income on taxes.
XVII (17) 1913	Election of senators This amendment changed the way senators were elected. It said that people of the state would vote directly for senators.
XVIII (18) 1919	Prohibition of liquor This amendment made all alcoholic drinks illegal and the selling, making, importing, and exporting of liquor illegal. (This amendment was repealed by Amendment 21.)
XIX (19) 1920	Right of women to vote Women have the right to vote.
XX (20) 1933	Beginning and ending dates for elected officials The terms of the president and vice president end on January 20. The terms of Congress end at noon on January 3. The new Congress meets on January 3 at noon.
XX1 (21) 1933	Repeal of Prohibition Amendment 18 was repealed. Alcoholic drinks were no longer illegal.
XX11 (22) 1951	President limited to two terms No one can be elected to be president more than twice.
XX111 (23) 1961	Voting in Washington, D. C. People living in Washington, D.C. can vote for the president and vice president. Washington D.C. can have electoral college votes.
XXIV (24) 1964	End to poll taxes People cannot be charged a poll tax or any other tax to vote.
XXV (25) 1967	Presidential succession If the president dies, the vice president becomes president. If the office of vice president becomes empty, the president nominates someone to become vice president. That person must then be approved by a majority of both houses of Congress.
XXVI (26) 1971	Voting at age 18 The voting age for all elections was lowered from 21 to 18.
XXVII (27) 1992	Congressional pay Salary increases for members of Congress can not go into effect until after the next congressional election.

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	The text of the Bill of Rights, from NARA
	About the Bill of Rights from NARA
	Individual rights and the Constitution, from the National Constitution center
	History of the Bill of Rights from the ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union
	Read about proposed amendments that were not ratified