Amending the Constitution

• Two ways to add amendments

• 2/3 vote of each house of Congress• Ratified by ¾’s of the states

• 2/3 of state legislatures can demand a convention.

• Only first method has been used

Bill of Rights

• First 10 amendments to the Constitution

• Added to get support of some states, particularly Virginia

• Ratified in 1791

• Originally there were twelve, one did not get added, one not ratified until 1992.

The Amendments

• 1. Freedom of religion and expression• 2. Right to bear arms• 3. Quartering of soldiers• 4. Security from unreasonable searches and seizures• 5. Right of due process of law• 6. Right to a fair trial• 7. Trial by jury• 8. Fair bail and punishments• 9. Rights retained by the people• 10. Powers reserved to the states

Civil War Amendments

• 13th Amendment – Abolition of Slavery

• 14th Amendment – Rights of Citizens

• 15th Amendment – Voting Rights

Key Amendments

• 16th – The Income Tax

• 18th – Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages

• 19th – Women’s Suffrage

• 21st – Repeal of Prohibition

• 22nd – Limit on Number of Presidential terms

Other Key Amendments

• 24th Amendment - Abolition of Poll Tax in National Elections

• 26th Amendment – Voting Age