The Amendments

The Constitution was a document that was meant to be changed, or amended. The founding fathers knew that it was only a guideline and that flexibility was the key to its longevity. Changing it, however was

not an easy process.

Amendments had to be first proposed (suggested by the Congress or special state conventions) then ratified (approved) by the states.

Proposal required 67% and ratified by 75%.

Just to get the Constitution itself ratified, the founding fathers had to promise to write a “Bill of Rights” so that individual citizens would feel safe and the

government would be limited in its power. They are the first 10 Amedments.

1st amendment states

• Government will not create a state religion

• Will allow the free practice of religion

• Allow free speech for citizens(within limits)

• Allow a free press (not state controlled)

• Allow people to assemble peacefully

• Allow citizens to ask the government to address their problems

2nd Amendment

• This one gives people the right to keep and bear arms

• Originally is was created so that we could have a militia to help protect us.

3rd Amendment

• Prohibits the government from forcing you to provide shelter for soldiers in your home, unless there is a war on, and there are certain conditions met.

4th Amendment

• Protects the right to privacy

• Guards against searches & seizures

• A search or arrest must be based on probable cause.

• Usually they require a search warrant or arrest warrant.

5th Amendment

• For people accused of crimes• No one can be tried for a crime unless a

jury finds that there is enough evidence• No double jeopardy-you cannot be tried for

the same crime more than once.• You don’t have to testify against yourself• No one can be jailed or lose their property

without due process of law.• Gives gov. right of eminent domain

6th Amendment

• Jury trial

• Must be quick

• Must be an impartial jury

• Must be public

7th amendment

• Provides for a jury trial for monetary disputes between 2 or more individuals

• Must be more than $20

• This is when you sue someone

8th Amendment

• Prevents excessive bail or bond

• Prevents excessive fines

• Poor citizens cannot be jailed for not being able to pay the fin

• Prevents cruel & unusual punishments

9th Amendment

• This one says that the people’s rights are not restricted to just those mentioned in 1-8.

• The amendment protects all basic or natural rights not mentioned in the Constitution

10th Amendment

• This one simply restates that the people and the States have rights that the Federal government may not assume or infringe upon.

Amendments 11 & 12

• These 2 were added by 1805

• They address presidential elections & the inability of citizens to sue States in federal court.

Amendments 13-15

• Called the “Civil War Amendments”

• Proposed & approved from 1865-70

• Abolished slavery as an institution

• Granted citizenship to African-Americans

• Extended voting rights to former slaves

Amendments 16-25

• Called the 20th Century Amendments

• Cover a wide variety of topics

• Some change the power of state and federal governments

• Some change gov. structure or function

• Some change voting rights.