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History of the Amendment Process

History of the Amendment Process. Academic Civics Mr. Blough. 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)

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History of the Amendment Process

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  1. History of the Amendment Process Academic Civics Mr. Blough

  2. 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)

  3. 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

  4. Civil War Amendments • After the Union wins the Civil War, the rights of former slaves needs to be addressed: • 13th Amendment – makes slavery illegal in US • 14th 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) • 15th Amendment – African Americans given the right to vote

  5. 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 • 16th Amendment – Gives Congress the power to levy national income tax • 17th Amendment - Senators are elected directly by the people, not by state representatives as originally mandated in Article I • 18th Amendment - makes alcohol consumption/production illegal • 19th Amendment – Suffrage to women (right to vote) • 20th Amendment – President’s term begins in Jan. after Nov. election

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

  7. 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

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