Gov: Constitution Packet – Amendments

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Content Objective:

Understand the purpose of laws and government, provisions to limit power, and the ability to meet changing needs as essential ideas of the Constitution.

Language Objectives:

• Understand, learn, and use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly through informational text and direct instruction.
• Identify and/or summarize main ideas, facts, supporting details, and opinions in an informational and/or practical selection.
• Read and synthesize information found in various parts of charts, tables, or diagrams to reach supported conclusions.

Learning Target:

Students will explain and defend amendments to the Constitution.

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Constitution Packet

Read the U. S. Constitution and complete the questions in your worksheet packet. Please make sure all the answers are in your own words. The worksheet packet is a survey of the U.S. Constitution, beginning with the Preamble and continuing on through the Amendments. It is a thorough review of the various provisions of the Constitution, and will serve as a basis of your first test in the semester, in addition to additional reading from the text. You should find a copy of the Constitution and then read through it from beginning to end, entering the required information asked on the study guide.

Bill of Rights

1st Amendment
People have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the Government. 1791.

2nd Amendment
People have the right to have a weapon to protect themselves. 1791.

3rd Amendment
Soldiers cannot take or live in a person’s house. 1791.

4th Amendment
The government cannot arrest a person or search their property unless there is “probable cause.” 1791.

5th Amendment
The government must follow the law (due process) before punishing a person. 1791.

6th Amendment
A person has the right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury. 1791.

7th Amendment
A person has the right to a jury trial for civil cases. 1791.

8th Amendment
The government cannot demand excessive bail or fines, or any cruel and unusual punishment. 1791.

9th Amendment
The Constitution does not include all of the rights of the people and the states. 1791.

10th Amendment
Any powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government belong to the states. 1791

Early Amendments Strengthened New Federal Government

11th Amendment
Citizens cannot sue states in federal courts. 1795.

12th Amendment
The President and Vice President are elected on a party ticket. 1804.

Civil War-Era Amendments Extended Rights to African Americans

13th Amendment
Slavery is illegal in the United States. 1865.

14th Amendment
Every person born in the USA is a citizen. An immigrant can become a naturalized citizen. 1868

15th Amendment
All US male citizens have the right to vote. 1870.

Progressive-Era Amendments Dealt with Social & Political Reforms

16th Amendment
Congress can tax income. 1913.

17th Amendment
The people can elect US Senators. 1913.

18th Amendment
Alcohol is illegal. (Prohibition). 1919.

19th Amendment
All US female citizens have the right to vote. 1920.

21st Amendment
Alcohol is legal. Each state can make laws about making, selling, and drinking alcohol. 1933.

20^th Century Amendments Addressed Governance

20th Amendment
The President is inaugurated in January. Congress begins to meet in January. 1933.

22nd Amendment
The President cannot serve for more than two terms. 1951.

25th Amendment
If the president dies or cannot serve, the vice-president becomes president. If both die, the Speaker of the House becomes president. 1967.

27th Amendment
Congress must limit when and how much its members are paid. 1992.

Civil Rights-Era Amendments Extended Voting Rights

23rd Amendment
The US Citizens in the District of Columbia have the right to vote for President. 1961.

24th Amendment
It is illegal to make a citizen pay a voting fee or take a reading test to vote. 1964.

26th Amendment
US citizens who are 18 years old or older have the right to vote. 1971.

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Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the students and speakers of our government classes and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of this website, institution, or organization. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.