Malcolm Rivera
The U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times since its ratification in 1788, with the first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, being passed in 1789 and ratified in 1791. These amendments form the basis of American law and cover a range of topics, including the establishment of popular voting for senators, the prohibition and subsequent repeal of the sale and consumption of alcohol, the protection of citizens' suffrage rights, and the limitation of presidential terms. The most recent amendment, the Twenty-Seventh Amendment, addresses compensation for members of Congress. Similarly, the Indian Constitution has also undergone amendments, with the Supreme Court playing a key role in upholding the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The First Amendment: Freedom of religion, speech, and press
The First Amendment to the US Constitution, passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791, is part of the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments. The First Amendment guarantees four specific freedoms: religion, speech, press, and assembly. It also protects the right to petition the government for redress of grievances.
The text of the First Amendment states:
> "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
The freedom of religion clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favouring one religion over another. It also protects the right of individuals to hold and practise their own religious beliefs without interference from the government. This includes the right to not believe or hold any religious beliefs.
The freedom of speech clause prohibits the government from restricting or censoring the speech of individuals. This includes protecting the right to express unpopular or controversial opinions, engage in political discourse, and peacefully criticise the government. However, it is important to note that this freedom has certain limitations, such as restrictions on speech that incites violence or causes imminent harm.
The freedom of the press clause guarantees the right of the media to publish news and information without prior restraint or censorship from the government. This includes protection for journalists to investigate and report on matters of public interest, as well as safeguarding the right of individuals to express their views through blogs, social media, and other forms of publication.
The right to peaceably assemble and petition the government are also protected by the First Amendment. The right to assemble guarantees the freedom to gather peacefully for protests, meetings, and other purposes, while the right to petition ensures that individuals can submit complaints or requests to the government without fear of retaliation.
Overall, the First Amendment serves as a cornerstone of American democracy, safeguarding fundamental freedoms and ensuring that individuals can express their beliefs, practise their religion, engage in open discourse, and hold the government accountable.
Wealth Tax: Constitutional Amendment Needed?
You may want to see also
The Seventeenth Amendment: Senators elected by popular vote
The Seventeenth Amendment, passed by Congress on May 13, 1912, and ratified on April 8, 1913, changed the way U.S. senators are elected. The amendment states that:
> "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution."
This amendment changed Article I, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which originally provided for the election of senators by state legislatures. As early as 1826, there were calls for the direct popular election of senators, but it was disputes among state legislators over Senate elections following the Civil War that led to the amendment. These disputes resulted in numerous deadlocks, leaving some Senate seats vacant for extended periods.
The Seventeenth Amendment ensures that senators are elected by popular vote, with each state having two senators, serving six-year terms, and each senator having one vote. This system of "direct election" allows citizens to select their senators directly, rather than through their state legislatures.
Voting Rights: Constitutional Amendments Explained
You may want to see also
The Twenty-First Amendment: Prohibition repealed
The Twenty-First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment's nationwide prohibition on alcohol, was proposed by the 72nd Congress on 20 February 1933 and ratified by the requisite number of states on 5 December 1933.
The Eighteenth Amendment, ratified on 16 January 1919, was the result of years of advocacy by the temperance movement. It ushered in a period known as Prohibition, during which the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages were illegal. However, Prohibition proved to be highly unpopular, with many Americans continuing to drink despite the amendment. This gave rise to a profitable black market for alcohol, fueling the rise of organised crime and leading to an increase in lawlessness. As a result, a political movement to repeal the Eighteenth Amendment gained momentum throughout the 1920s, with more and more Americans opposing it.
The Twenty-First Amendment is unique among the 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution as it is the only one to repeal a prior amendment. It is also the only amendment to have been ratified by state ratifying conventions. The amendment consists of three sections. Section 1 expressly repeals the Eighteenth Amendment. Section 2 prohibits the importation of alcohol into states and territories that have laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol, while also banning the transportation of intoxicating liquors for delivery or use in violation of state laws. Section 3 states that the amendment will be inoperative unless ratified by conventions in the several states within seven years of its submission to the states by Congress.
The end of Prohibition was celebrated by many, with President Roosevelt issuing a proclamation urging citizens towards "a greater temperance throughout the nation" now that the "curse" of Prohibition had been lifted. The repeal of Prohibition was also thought to have created half a million jobs. However, several states continued to be "dry states" in the years following, closely regulating alcohol distribution, and some still do today.
The Constitution's Core: Top Amendments
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Twenty-Second Amendment: Two-term limit for presidents
The Twenty-Second Amendment, which was passed on March 21, 1947, and ratified on February 27, 1951, limits presidents to two terms in office. This amendment was the result of a long debate over the appropriate length of a president's term, which began with the founding of the country.
The issue of term limits for presidents had been a source of contention since the early days of the American republic. Some argued that a president should be allowed to serve for life, while others believed that a set term limit was necessary to prevent any one person from accumulating too much power.
The Twenty-Second Amendment resolved this debate by establishing a two-term limit for presidents. This amendment was passed with overwhelming support, as it was seen as a necessary check on executive power. The amendment also addressed the issue of former presidents running for re-election by specifying that an individual who has served more than two years of someone else's term may only be elected once more.
This amendment has had a significant impact on American politics, shaping the way campaigns are run and ensuring regular transfers of power. It has also contributed to the stability of the country's democratic system by preventing any one president from dominating the political landscape for too long.
The Fourteenth Amendment: Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection
You may want to see also
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment: Voting age lowered to 18
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which was passed on March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 1, 1971, lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 years. The amendment states: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."
Before the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, states had the authority to set their own minimum voting age, with 21 being the typical national standard. However, there were growing calls to lower the voting age during the mid-20th century, particularly during the 1960s. This drive was partly influenced by the military draft for the Vietnam War, which conscripted young men between the ages of 18 and 21, prompting the question of why someone could be considered mature enough to fight and die for their country at 18, but not old enough to vote.
The push to lower the voting age gained support from various public officials and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who, in his 1954 State of the Union address, became the first president to publicly endorse prohibiting age-based voting denial for those 18 and older. Despite this, there was still opposition to the idea, with concerns being raised about the maturity and responsibility of 18-year-olds. Representative Emanuel Celler of New York was a vocal opponent, arguing that youth lacked the "good judgment" necessary for effective citizenship.
In 1970, congressional allies included a provision for 18-year-old voting rights in an extension of the Voting Rights Act. However, the Supreme Court case of Oregon v. Mitchell ruled that Congress could only lower the voting age for federal elections, not state elections. This decision led to the proposal and swift ratification of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, which standardised the minimum voting age across all elections in the United States.
Amendment XXI: Revoking Prohibition and Empowering States
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was ratified in 1788.
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were passed in 1789 and ratified on December 15, 1791.
Passed on May 13, 1912, and ratified on April 8, 1913, the 17th Amendment changed the way U.S. Senators are elected, stating that they should be elected by the people of their state.
Passed and ratified in 1971, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18, ensuring that U.S. citizens aged 18 or older cannot be denied the right to vote based on age.
The 27th Amendment, proposed in 1789 but not ratified until May 7, 1992, addresses the compensation of members of Congress, stating that any changes in their pay cannot take effect until after an election.
