AP Gov. & Politics: Constitutional Amendments

Question 1

The Eleventh Amendment

Answer 1

• Prohibits the federal courts from hearing certain lawsuits against the states (establishes judicial limits).

Question 2

The Twelfth Amendment

Answer 2

• Mandates that a distinct vote had to be taken for the president and vice president.
• Establishes that if there is no majority vote for the presidency or if a tie occurs, the House of Representatives will select the president.
• Establishes that if there is no majority vote for the vice presidency or if a tie occurs, the Senate will select the vice president.
• Clarifies that, in the event of the sitting president’s death or disability, the vice president will assume the title of president.

Question 3

The Thirteenth Amendment

Answer 3

• Formally outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States & its territories, with the exception of punishment for a convicted crime.

Question 4

The Fourteenth Amendment

Answer 4

Establishes that:
* All people born or naturalized in the United States are citizens.
* No state shall make or enforce legislation that (1) abridges natural rights (2) deprives any person of life, liberty of property, or (3) denies equal protection under the law.
* No person shall hold any office, civil or military, if they have taken a constitutional & inaugurational oath and proceeded to engage in insurrection or rebellion against the governmental institutions of the United States.
* Congress has the right to remove such disability with a two-thirds majority vote in either chamber.

Question 5

The Fifteenth Amendment

Answer 5

• Declares that the right of American citizens to vote may not be denied on the basis of race, color, or previous conditions of servitude.

Question 6

The Sixteenth Amendment

Answer 6

• Enables Congress to levy income taxes.

Question 7

The Seventeenth Amendment

Answer 7

Requires that:
* The Senate is comprised of two elected officials from each state that serve a six-year term.
* Vacancies may be filled by interim senators, decided by writs of election.

Question 8

The Eighteenth Amendment

Answer 8

• Prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Question 9

The Nineteenth Amendment

Answer 9

• Establishes that the right of American citizens to vote may not be denied on the basis of sex.

Question 10

The Twentieth Amendment

Answer 10

• Establishes date of term states for Congress (January 3) & the president (January 20).

Lame Duck Amendment

Question 11

The Twenty-First Amendment

Answer 11

• Repeals the eighteenth amendment prohibiting alcohol & establishes that state alcohol laws will now dictate sale and consumption.

Question 12

The Twenty-Second Amendment

Answer 12

• Limits the maximum presidency to two terms.

Question 13

The Twenty-Third Amendment

Answer 13

• Reserves the right of citizens in the District of Columbia to vote for their own electors for presidential elections.

Question 14

The Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Answer 14

• Formally outlaws poll taxes and literacy tests & establishes that these measures may not be used to deny suffrage.

Question 15

The Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Answer 15

• When there is a vacancy of the vice presidency, the president will nominate a VP that is confirmed by a majority vote of both chambers of Congress.
• If neither the president or vice president can assume the duty of the presidency, the president pro tempore of the Senate becomes president.

Question 16

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Answer 16

• The right of American citizens over eighteen years old to vote may not be denied on account of age.

Question 17

The Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Answer 17

• No law altering the monetary compensation of senators or representatives may take effect until the next midterm election.