Malcolm Rivera
The United States 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, there have been 17 additional amendments, with the most recent being the 27th Amendment, which was ratified in 1992. There are also six unratified amendments, four of which are still pending. The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article Five, which requires a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or a national convention called by Congress to propose an amendment, followed by ratification by the individual states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Amendments to the US Constitution | 27 |
| First 10 Amendments | Bill of Rights |
| Date of Ratification of the First 10 Amendments | December 15, 1791 |
| Number of Proposals to Amend the Constitution since 1789 | 11,848 (as of January 3, 2019) |
| Average Number of Proposals during each two-year term of Congress | 200 |
| Number of Amendments proposed by US Congress and sent to states for ratification | 33 |
| Number of Amendments ratified by the requisite number of states | 27 |
| Number of Amendments not ratified by the required number of states | 6 |
| Status of the unratified Amendments | 4 pending, 1 failed by its own terms, 1 failed by terms of resolution proposing it |
| Number of Amendments with proper ratification uncertain | 2 (16th and 17th) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights
The Constitution of the United States has been amended 27 times. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights was created to guarantee certain fundamental rights that limit the government's power over the people. It is a response to the demands of several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties. The amendments in the Bill of Rights protect freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, the right to bear arms, and the right to due process and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, among others.
The Bill of Rights was introduced by James Madison, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Bill of Rights." Madison was motivated by the need to allay the fears of the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the new government established by the Constitution, and to win their support for the document.
The amendments in the Bill of Rights apply to the federal government and limit its power. They also serve as a protection for citizens against the government. The Supreme Court has, over time, applied parts of the Bill of Rights to the states through the process of selective incorporation under the 14th Amendment.
Since the Bill of Rights, 17 more amendments have been added to the Constitution. The process of amending the Constitution, as outlined in Article Five, requires a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress or a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. For an amendment to become operative, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states.
Amendments: Our Founding Fathers' Vision for Freedom
You may want to see also
The 22nd Amendment limits presidential terms
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being ratified on December 15, 1791. The 22nd Amendment, in particular, stands out for its focus on limiting presidential terms.
The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, establishes a two-term limit for US presidents. This amendment was a direct response to Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms as president, serving from 1932 to 1944. The amendment stipulates that no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and those who have held the office for more than two years of another president's term are limited to one additional term.
The concept of term limits for elected officials dates back to the earliest debates surrounding the Constitution's ratification. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison envisioned a president nominated by Congress and serving for life, but this raised concerns about the creation of an "elective monarchy." The 22nd Amendment addresses these concerns by setting clear limits on presidential terms.
The amendment includes a provision stating that it shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when the amendment was proposed by Congress. Additionally, it allows individuals acting as President during the term in which the amendment becomes operative to serve out the remainder of that term.
The 22nd Amendment has been the subject of debate, with attempts made by presidents and Congress members from various political affiliations to modify or repeal it. Some argue for consistent leadership during crises, while others discuss allowing non-consecutive terms. Despite these discussions, the amendment remains in place, ensuring a limit of two elected terms for all presidents since its ratification.
Constitutional Amendments: Voter Turnout Crisis
You may want to see also
The 7th Amendment guarantees trial by jury
The Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases. This amendment is one of the first ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights, which was adopted on December 15, 1791. The Seventh Amendment reads: "In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."
The amendment's guarantee of a jury trial applies to "Suits at common law," which refers to civil cases that were traditionally resolved by a jury trial in English common law courts. The common law system, inherited from England, formed the basis of the American legal system and recognized certain types of actions and remedies that could be sought by individuals in court. These common law actions typically involved disputes over property or contractual rights, and the Seventh Amendment specifically preserves the right to a jury trial in such cases.
The amendment sets a monetary threshold for this right, originally stated as "exceed twenty dollars." This amount has been adjusted over time to account for inflation and changes in the value of money. Today, the threshold is much higher, and the current amount varies depending on the type of case and the jurisdiction. For example, in federal courts, the amount in controversy must exceed $75,000 for a civil case to be eligible for a jury trial under the Seventh Amendment.
The Seventh Amendment not only guarantees the right to a jury trial but also ensures that the findings of fact made by a jury are given significant weight. The amendment states that no fact tried by a jury shall be "re-examined" by another court, meaning that a judge or appellate court generally cannot overturn a jury's factual findings if they are supported by sufficient evidence. This aspect of the amendment underscores the importance placed on the role of the jury in resolving disputes and ensuring that their decisions are respected and upheld.
While the Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases, it is important to note that this right is not absolute and has been interpreted and applied in various ways by the courts. For example, the amendment does not require a jury trial in cases that involve solely equitable relief, such as injunctions or specific performance, as opposed to monetary damages. Additionally, the amendment applies to federal courts and has been selectively incorporated against the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
In conclusion, the Seventh Amendment plays a crucial role in preserving the right to a jury trial in civil cases, ensuring that individuals have a say in the resolution of disputes that affect their lives and property. By guaranteeing this right, the amendment upholds the principles of democracy and protects individuals from the arbitrary power of the government and judicial system. Understanding the Seventh Amendment is, therefore, essential to comprehending the broader context of constitutional rights and the historical development of civil liberties in the United States.
The Exclusionary Rule: A Fourth Amendment Protection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 16th and 17th Amendments were not ratified properly
There have been 27 amendments to the US Constitution, with the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being ratified on December 15, 1791. However, some people argue that the 16th and 17th Amendments were not properly ratified by the Individual State's Congress and are therefore invalid.
The process of amending the US Constitution is outlined in Article Five of the Constitution. Amendments can be proposed by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, or by a national convention called by Congress on the application of two-thirds of state legislatures. To become part of the Constitution, an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.
The 16th Amendment, which allows Congress to levy and collect income taxes without apportioning the tax among the states or basing it on the United States Census, was ratified in 1913. However, some people argue that it was not properly ratified by the Individual State's Congress and is therefore invalid. The specific details of this argument are not readily available.
The 17th Amendment, which established the direct election of United States Senators, was ratified in 1913. This amendment changed the process by which Senators were elected, shifting the power to elect Senators from state legislatures to the people of each state. However, similar to the 16th Amendment, some argue that the 17th Amendment was not properly ratified. Again, the specific details of this argument are unclear.
It is important to note that the validity of an amendment ultimately depends on the ratification process outlined in the Constitution, and the determination of proper ratification can be complex and subject to interpretation.
Separation of Church and State: A Constitutional Amendment?
You may want to see also
The 18th Amendment prohibited alcohol
The Constitution of the United States has been amended 27 times, beginning with the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791. One of the most notable amendments is the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the production, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquors in the United States.
The 18th Amendment was the result of decades of efforts by the temperance movement, which argued that banning alcohol would reduce poverty and other societal problems such as immoral sexual behavior and violence. The movement gained support from churches, with well-known reformers like Carrie Nation becoming household names for their militant activism, such as vandalizing saloon property. By 1916, 23 out of 48 states had already passed laws against saloons, and some even banned the manufacture of alcohol.
The 18th Amendment was proposed by Congress on December 18, 1917, and ratified by the requisite number of states on January 16, 1919. It stated that one year after ratification, the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation into, or the exportation from the United States for beverage purposes would be prohibited. The amendment did not outlaw the consumption of alcohol, and nationwide enforcement of Prohibition proved difficult, particularly in cities.
Alcohol smuggling, known as rum-running or bootlegging, and illicit bars, called speakeasies, became popular in many areas. Public sentiment began to turn against Prohibition during the late 1920s, and the Great Depression further hastened its demise as opponents argued that the ban on alcohol denied jobs to the unemployed and revenue to the government. The nonpartisan Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA) also added to public disillusionment.
In 1932, Democratic presidential candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt included a plan to repeal the 18th Amendment in his platform, and his victory that November sealed the fate of Prohibition. In February 1933, Congress proposed the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment and modified the Volstead Act to permit the sale of beer. The 18th Amendment was officially repealed on December 5, 1933, making it the only constitutional amendment in American history to be repealed.
Amending Florida's Constitution: Many Paths, One Destination
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are 27 amendments to the US Constitution.
As of January 3, 2019, there have been approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution.
33 amendments have been proposed and sent to the states for ratification.
27 amendments have been ratified and are part of the Constitution.
The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights and were ratified on December 15, 1791.
