Omar Bennett
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was first put into operation on March 4, 1789. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791. Since then, Congress has enacted statutes governing the constitutional amendment process, with amendments needing to be properly proposed and ratified before becoming operative. Approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress since 1789, with members of the House and Senate proposing around 200 amendments during each two-year term.
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What You'll Learn
The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments forming what is known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and aim to limit government power and protect individual liberties.
The First Amendment protects the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government. It also prohibits Congress from making laws that infringe on these freedoms. The Second Amendment affirms the right of citizens to keep and bear arms, and the Third Amendment prevents soldiers from being quartered in civilian homes without consent.
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants to be issued with probable cause. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for the accused, including protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination, and guaranteeing due process of law. It also states that private property cannot be taken without just compensation.
The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections for the accused, including the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the ability to confront witnesses and present their own. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial to Federal civil cases, and the Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
Finally, the Ninth Amendment states that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny other rights retained by the people, and the Tenth Amendment affirms that the Federal Government only has the powers delegated to it by the Constitution.
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The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are the Reconstruction Amendments
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times, with 27 amendments having been ratified by the requisite number of states. The first ten amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, also known as the Reconstruction Amendments, were ratified between 1865 and 1870 following the US Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. These amendments were essential to reuniting the country during Reconstruction, and they built upon President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, abolishing slavery in the entirety of the United States. The 13th Amendment also granted Congress the right to enforce this with appropriate legislation, should states defy the ordinance.
The Reconstruction Amendments also ensured birthright citizenship and guaranteed the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights to all citizens, regardless of race. The 14th Amendment further eliminated the three-fifths rule and punished any state that did not permit male citizens over the age of 21 to vote by reducing that state's proportional representation. It also barred those who had engaged in insurrection or rebellion or given aid to enemies of the United States from holding public office, unless Congress voted to remove this prohibition.
The 15th Amendment expanded voting rights by prohibiting discrimination based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This secured voting rights for Black men, making it illegal to refuse them the right to vote based on race or previous servitude.
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Amendments must be proposed and ratified
The process of amending the US Constitution is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. This process involves two steps: proposing an amendment and ratifying it.
An amendment can be proposed in two ways. The first is through a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, also known as Congress. The second method, which has never been used, is through a national convention called by Congress upon the request of two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states).
Once an amendment is proposed, it is sent to the states for ratification. The Archivist of the United States is responsible for administering the ratification process, which involves receiving authenticated ratification documents from the states. An amendment becomes part of the Constitution when it is ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50 states).
The Archivist plays a crucial role in the process by issuing a certificate proclaiming that an amendment has become an operative part of the Constitution. This certification is published in the Federal Register and U.S. Statutes at Large, serving as official notice to Congress and the nation.
Since the early 20th century, Congress has occasionally stipulated a deadline for ratification, typically requiring ratification by the necessary number of states within seven years of an amendment's submission to the states. This authority was affirmed by the Supreme Court in 1939 in Coleman v. Miller.
In total, there have been 27 amendments to the US Constitution, with approximately 11,848 proposals introduced in Congress since 1789. The process of amending the Constitution is deliberately challenging and time-consuming, requiring broad support for an amendment to become operative.
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The US Constitution has 7 articles
The US Constitution is a foundational document that establishes the structure and principles of the US federal government. It is composed of a preamble, seven articles, and several amendments. The seven articles of the US Constitution form the structural backbone of this important document and outline the key components of the government's legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Article One of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch, which includes the US Congress. It defines the roles and responsibilities of the Senate and the House of Representatives, including the process for passing laws and the powers granted to Congress.
Article Two focuses on the executive branch, which includes the President of the United States. It outlines the powers and duties of the President, the process for electing the President, and the qualifications for holding the office.
Article Three addresses the judicial branch, which includes the US court system. It establishes the Supreme Court and outlines its jurisdiction and powers. This article also addresses topics such as treason and the trial process for impeachment.
Article Four pertains to the relationships between the states and the federal government. It establishes the responsibilities of each state and the role of the federal government in maintaining a harmonious relationship between the states.
Article Five details the process for amending the Constitution, outlining the steps required to propose and ratify amendments. It ensures a balanced approach to making changes to the nation's plan of government.
Article Six affirms the status of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and establishes the principle of federal supremacy. It also addresses the validity of debts and engagements incurred under the previous form of government.
Article Seven outlines the process for ratifying the Constitution and bringing it into effect. It details the requirements for ratification and sets the framework for establishing the government under the Constitution.
The seven articles of the US Constitution provide the framework for the US government's structure and functions. They outline the roles and responsibilities of the key branches of government and establish the processes for lawmaking, amending the Constitution, and ensuring the country's smooth functioning. These articles have been the foundation of the US political system and have been built upon through various amendments to adapt to the nation's evolving needs.
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The 18th amendment repealed prohibition
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times, with four amendments still pending ratification. The process of amending the Constitution involves two steps: proposing and ratifying. Amendments must achieve both to become operative.
The 18th Amendment, ratified in 1919, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of "intoxicating liquors". It was the result of a long campaign by the temperance movement, which argued that banning alcohol would reduce poverty and societal issues. However, the amendment proved controversial, with several northern states refusing to abide by it. The phrase "intoxicating liquor" was widely understood to exclude beer and wine, and their inclusion in Prohibition surprised many. This controversy, along with the rise of illegal alcohol importation and production, contributed to a shift in public sentiment against Prohibition by the late 1920s. The Great Depression further hastened its demise, with opponents arguing that Prohibition denied jobs to the unemployed and revenue to the government.
The nonpartisan Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA) also contributed to public disillusionment with Prohibition. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt ran for president on a platform that included repealing the 18th Amendment, and his victory led to the end of Prohibition. In February 1933, Congress proposed a resolution to repeal the 18th Amendment and modify the Volstead Act to permit the sale of beer. This resolution became the 21st Amendment, which was ratified in December 1933.
The 18th Amendment remains the only constitutional amendment in American history to be repealed. Its repeal marked a significant shift in the country's attitude towards alcohol regulation, and it stands as a testament to the evolving nature of the US Constitution and its adaptability to the changing needs and sentiments of the American people.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been 27 amendments to the US Constitution.
The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The US Constitution can be amended by either a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or a national convention called by Congress on the application of two-thirds of state legislatures.
Approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress since 1789. Members of the House and Senate propose around 200 amendments during each two-year term of Congress.
