Constitutional Amendments

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

33 constitutional amendments approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification since 1789. 27 have been ratified by the requisite # of states, are part of the Constitution.

Question 2

1st 10 Amendments

Answer 2

Adopted and ratified simultaneously and are known collectively as the Bill of Rights.

Question 3

Article 5 of the Constitution

Answer 3

Details the 2 step process for amending the nation’s frame of government. Amendments must be properly proposed and ratified before becoming operative. 6 of the 33 amendments have not been ratified and 4 are technically still open.

Question 4

Ratification

Answer 4

Either 1) the US Congress, whenever a 2/3 majority in both the Senate and the House of Reps deem it necessary or 2) a national convention, called by Congress for this purpose, on the application of the legislatures of 2/3 (currently 34) of the states.

Question 5

1st Amendment - 9/25/1789

Answer 5

Prohibits Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press or the right to peaceably assemble or prohibits the right to petition the government

Question 6

2nd - 9/25/1789

Answer 6

Protects the right to keep and bear arms

Question 7

3rd

Answer 7

Places restriction on the quartering of soldiers in private homes

Question 8

4th

Answer 8

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures;sets out rents for search warrants based on probable cause

Question 9

5th

Answer 9

Sets out rules for indictment by grand jury and eminent domain, protects the right to due process, and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy

Question 10

6th

Answer 10

Protects the right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, including the rights to be notified of the accusations, to confront the accuser, to obtain witnesses and retail counsel.

Question 11

7th

Answer 11

Provides for the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases, according to common law.

Question 12

8th

Answer 12

Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

Question 13

9th

Answer 13

Protects rights not enumerated in the Constitution.

Question 14

10th

Answer 14

Reinforces the principle of federalism by stating that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated to it by the states or the people through the Constitution.

Question 15

11th - 3/4/1794

Answer 15

Makes states immune from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within the state borders; lays the foundation for sovereign immunity.

Question 16

12th - 12/9/1803

Answer 16

Revises presidential election procedures by having the president and VP elected together as opposed to the VP being runner up in the presidential election.

Question 17

13th - 1/31/1865

Answer 17

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

Question 18

14th - 6/13/1866

Answer 18

Defines citizenship, contains the Privileges or Immunities Clause, the Due Process Clause, the Equal Protection Clause and deals with post-Civil War issues.

Question 19

15th - 2/26/1865

Answer 19

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude.

Question 20

16th - 7/12/1909

Answer 20

Permits Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the various states or basing it on the US Census.

Question 21

17th - 5/13/1912

Answer 21

Establishes the direct election of US Senators by popular vote.

Question 22

18th - 12/18/1917

Answer 22

Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol within the US—repealed via the 21st amendment)

Question 23

19th - June 4, 1919

Answer 23

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on sex.

Question 24

20th - 3/2/1932

Answer 24

Changes the date on which the terms of president and VP and of members of Congress end and begin (to Jan 20 and Jan3 respectively).

Question 25

21th -2/20/1933

Answer 25

Repeals the 18th Amendment and makes it a federal offense to transport or import intoxicating liquors into the US states and territories where such transport is prohibited by the laws of those states and territories.

Question 26

22nd - 3/24/1947

Answer 26

Limits the # of times a person can be elected president — not more than twice; a person who has served more that 2 years of a term to which someone else was elected cannot be elected more than once.

Question 27

23rd - 6/16/1960

Answer 27

Grants DC electors (the # equal to those of the least populous state) in the Electoral College.

Question 28

24th - 9/14/1962

Answer 28

Prohibits the revocation of voting rights due to the non-payment of a poll tax or any other tax.

Question 29

25th - 7/6/1965

Answer 29

Address secession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of VP, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities.

Question 30

26th - 3/23/1971

Answer 30

Prohibits the denial of the right of US citizens, 18 years of age or older, to vote on account of age.

Question 31

27th - 9/25/1789

Answer 31

Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives.