Protecting Civil Liberties: The Evolution of Constitutional Amendments

1. Chapter 4 - Beyond the Bill of Rights

2. The “Eleventh Amendment” • The “Eleventh Amendment” places limits on civil lawsuits against the states and says that these lawsuits must be tried in state courts.

3. The “Twelfth Amendment” • The “Twelfth Amendment” changes the procedure of electing the President and Vice President. • Electing the President is done through the “Electoral College” • Presidential candidates choose their own vice presidential candidates.

4. Protecting the Rights of All

5. Protecting the Rights of All • The “Bill of Rights” did not restrain the power of the state or local governments, only the national government. • Many states used their “reserve powers” to violate the civil liberties of some Americans.

6. Protecting the Rights of All • Before 1865, African Americans remained enslaved throughout the South. • These slaves had little, if any, civil liberties.

7. Protecting the Rights of All • From 1865 to 1870, three “Civil War amendments” (13, 14, 15) were added to extend civil liberties by limiting state abuses of power to newly freed African Americans. • It broadened the reach of Constitutional rights.

8. The “Thirteenth Amendment” • The “Thirteenth Amendment” (“Civil War Amendment”) officially ended slavery(or forced labor) in the U.S., freeing thousands of African Americans in the South

9. The “Fourteenth Amendment” • The “Fourteenth Amendment” (“Civil War Amendment”) defined a U.S. citizenas anyone “born or naturalized in the U.S.” • This included most newly freed African Americans, who were required to be granted by the state “equal protection of the laws” (to counter Southern “black codes”) • And, In order to ensure the rights of African American citizens, every state was also now required to grant its citizens “due process of law” (equal protection under the law – known as Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment)

10. The “Fifteenth Amendment” • The “Fifteenth Amendment” (“Civil War Amendment”) granted African Americans “suffrage”(the right to vote). • This “suffrage”, however, was granted only to African American menin most states.

11. The “Sixteenth Amendment” • The “Sixteenth Amendment” gives the Congress the power to pass an income tax on the citizens. (the government taxes your pay/income)

12. The “Seventeenth Amendment” • The “Seventeenth Amendment” allows voters to elect their U.S. senatorsdirectly (rather than having state legislatures choosing) • This gives the people a greater voice in the U.S. government.

13. The “Eighteenth Amendment” • Nicknamed “Prohibition Amendment”… • The “Eighteenth Amendment” outlawed the making, drinking, transporting, or selling of alcohol in the U.S.

14. Protecting the Rights of All • Before 1920, women were not permitted to vote in almost all U.S. states. • The “suffrage movement” was the effort to gain women the right to vote.

15. The “Nineteenth Amendment” • The “Nineteenth Amendment” extended “suffrage” (right to vote) to include womenin all states and national elections • Nicknamed “universalsuffrage”…

16. The “Twentieth Amendment” • The “Twentieth Amendment” changes the presidential inauguration date to January 20th… • Nicknamed the “Lame Duck Amendment”… explain why it is called this…..

17. The “Twenty First Amendment” • The “Twenty First Amendment” repealed “Prohibition” (18th Amendment). • This action made alcohol legal again… • The “18thAmendment” is the only one to be repealed (cancelled)

18. The “Twenty Second Amendment” • The “Twenty Second Amendment” limits the U.S. President to only two (2) termsin office (10 years total)

19. The “Twenty Third Amendment” • The “Twenty Third Amendment” granted residents of the “District of Columbia” (Washington, DC) the right to vote for (Electoral College) President and Vice President. They have 3 electoral votes.

20. The “Twenty Fourth Amendment” • The “Twenty Fourth Amendment” made “poll taxes” (money paid for the right to vote) illegal in national elections • The U.S. Supreme Court would also later rule that “poll taxes” were illegal in state elections as well • “Poll taxes” were common “Jim Crow Laws” that discriminated against African Americans in the South

21. The “Twenty Fifth Amendment” • The “Twenty Fifth Amendment” established the procedures for the succession to the Presidencyin case of death or incapacitation. (order) • “Vice President, Speaker of House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Cabinet”

22. The “Twenty Sixth Amendment” • The “Twenty Sixth Amendment” lowered the voting age to 18for all national, state, and local elections • Came about during the “Vietnam Conflict” when many believed if an 18 year old was old enough to fight in war, they should be able to vote.

23. The “Twenty Seventh Amendment” • The “Twenty Seventh Amendment” states that Congressional pay raisesbegin the following term