Simone Lawson
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. The most recent amendment, the 27th Amendment, was ratified in 1992 and relates to financial compensation for Congress. Other notable amendments include the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments, and the 21st Amendment, which repealed the 18th Amendment and ended prohibition. Amendments to the Constitution must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 states since 1959) and can be proposed by Congress or state legislatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Amendments | 27 |
| First 10 Amendments | Known as the Bill of Rights |
| Date of Ratification of First 10 Amendments | December 15, 1791 |
| Amendment XXII | No person can be elected President more than twice |
| Amendment XXIV | Citizens have the right to vote and cannot be denied by the state due to non-payment of taxes |
| Amendment XXV | In case of the removal, death, or resignation of the President, the Vice President shall become President |
| Amendment XXVII | No law varying the compensation for services of Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened |
| Date of Ratification of Amendment XXVII | 1992 |
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What You'll Learn
The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights
The Constitution of the United States has 27 amendments, with the first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791, forming what is known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights adds to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, assemble, and other natural and legal rights.
The amendments of the Bill of Rights also include explicit declarations that all powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. These concepts codified in the amendments are built upon those in earlier documents, especially the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), the Northwest Ordinance (1787), the English Bill of Rights (1689), and the Magna Carta (1215).
The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges. The accused is allowed their own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in Federal civil cases. The Eighth Amendment bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
The Ninth Amendment states that listing specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out. The Tenth Amendment says that the Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution.
The Twenty-seventh Amendment, commonly known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789, was the second of 12 amendments proposed by the first Congress in 1789. It states that no law varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened.
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Amendment 27 limits Congressional Pay
The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the US Constitution, commonly known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789, limits Congressional pay. Specifically, it states that:
> No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
In other words, the amendment allows Congress to increase or decrease their salaries, but only after the next election. This amendment was proposed to prevent the type of political corruption that was perceived in England at the time, where constituents paid their representatives' wages, leading to candidates campaigning on promises to take less pay than their rivals. Some candidates even promised to work for free, or paid out of pocket for projects to sway voters.
The Twenty-seventh Amendment was the second of 12 amendments proposed by the first Congress in 1789, but it remained dormant for almost 80 years after only six states voted for ratification. In 1873, Ohio ratified the amendment as an expression of dissatisfaction with then-current attempts by Congress to increase the salaries of its members. The amendment lay dormant again until 1978, when Wyoming ratified it. In 1982, an undergraduate research paper written by Gregory Watson of the University of Texas in Austin became the foundation for a movement to curtail political corruption by ratifying the amendment. This led to more states ratifying the amendment, and it was finally ratified in 1992.
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The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are the Reconstruction Amendments
The Constitution of the United States has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments are together known as the Reconstruction Amendments. These amendments were written and ratified in the 1860s by the Republican Party, with the Democrats in opposition. They were passed following the US Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, building on the president's Emancipation Proclamation. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States, granting Congress the power to enforce this through legislation. The 14th Amendment ensured that the Bill of Rights applied to all citizens, regardless of race. Despite this, Southern state legislatures created segregation laws or Jim Crow laws to circumvent the demands of the 14th Amendment. The 15th Amendment secured voting rights for Black men, making it illegal to deny them the right to vote based on race or previous servitude.
Despite the protections offered by the Reconstruction Amendments, they were often circumvented or ignored. Southern states created Black Codes, laws that kept freedmen from exercising their rights. Literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation were used to prevent Black people from voting. The amendments remain controversial today, with some seeking loopholes to disenfranchise people of color, while others see them as providing the groundwork for racial justice and equity.
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Amendment 21 repealed the 18th Amendment, ending prohibition
The 21st Amendment to the US Constitution is a significant and unique amendment as it is the only one that directly repeals a previous Amendment. Ratified in 1933, it marked a turning point in American history by ending the era of Prohibition, which had been in place since the ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1919. The 21st Amendment's primary purpose was to restore the legality of alcohol and provide a framework for its regulation and taxation. This amendment is a powerful example of how the Constitution can adapt to the changing social and political landscape of the nation.
Prohibition, the ban on the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, was implemented through the 18th Amendment and aimed to address the negative social and health impacts associated with alcohol consumption. However, it led to a range of unintended consequences, including a rise in organized crime and illegal liquor trafficking. The nation's attitude toward Prohibition shifted, and it became apparent that a new approach was necessary. The 21st Amendment was crafted to address this very issue.
Section 1 of the 21st Amendment explicitly repeals the 18th Amendment, stating, "The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed." This clear and direct language underscores the amendment's primary objective of ending Prohibition. Additionally, the 21st Amendment also invalidates the enforcement of laws related to the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol, effectively legalizing these activities once again.
Beyond simply legalizing alcohol, the 21st Amendment also provided a framework for its regulation. Section 2 of the amendment grants individual states the authority to regulate the importation and usage of alcohol within their borders. This aspect of the amendment reflects a recognition of states' rights and a shift toward decentralization in the control of alcohol-related matters. The amendment also addresses taxation, stating that the transportation or importation of alcohol "shall be subject to the laws of the several states regarding regulation or prohibition of traffic in intoxicating liquors."
The impact of the 21st Amendment extended beyond legal and regulatory frameworks. It also had significant social and cultural implications. The end of Prohibition marked a change in societal attitudes toward alcohol consumption and the role of government in regulating personal behavior. The amendment's ratification signaled a move toward greater personal freedom and a more nuanced approach to addressing the issues associated with alcohol abuse.
In conclusion, Amendment 21, which repealed the 18th Amendment, stands as a pivotal moment in American constitutional history. It not only ended the era of Prohibition but also demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability of the Constitution to respond to the changing needs and attitudes of the nation. The 21st Amendment's ratification process underscores the importance of dialogue, compromise, and the ultimate goal of serving the best interests of the American people.
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Amendment 25 dictates the line of succession for the presidency
The Constitution of the United States has been amended 27 times, beginning with the Bill of Rights, which comprised the first 10 amendments and was ratified on December 15, 1791. The 25th Amendment, which pertains to presidential disability and succession, was passed by Congress on July 6, 1965, and ratified on February 10, 1967.
This amendment outlines the procedures to be followed in the event of the president's death, removal from office, or resignation, as well as the process for filling a vacancy in the office of the vice president. In such cases, the vice president assumes the role of president. Additionally, it addresses situations where the president is unable to discharge their powers and duties, allowing for the temporary transfer of those powers to the vice president as acting president.
Section 1 of the 25th Amendment states that in the event of the president's death, removal from office, or resignation, the vice president becomes the new president. This ensures a clear line of succession, maintaining stability and continuity in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Section 2 addresses vacancies in the office of the vice president. In such cases, the president is responsible for nominating a new vice president. The nominated individual assumes office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. This process ensures that the important position of vice president is filled promptly, maintaining the full strength of the executive branch.
Furthermore, the 25th Amendment outlines a process for addressing situations where the president is unable to discharge their powers and duties. If the president transmits a written declaration of their inability to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the vice president becomes the acting president. The vice president will continue to serve as acting president until the president transmits another written declaration stating that their inability no longer exists. However, if the vice president and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments disagree and declare that the president remains unable, Congress will make the final decision within 48 hours.
The 25th Amendment provides a comprehensive framework for addressing various scenarios related to presidential succession and disability, ensuring that the nation's leadership can adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining the stability of the executive branch.
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Frequently asked questions
The 27 Amendments to the Constitution are a series of additions to the original US Constitution, beginning with the Bill of Rights, which consists of the first 10 amendments ratified on December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights includes the following:
- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
- Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.
- Congress shall make no law infringing on the right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances.
- The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Some of the other notable Amendments include:
- Amendment XIV - No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of US citizens.
- Amendment XIX - The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex.
- Amendment XXII - No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.
- Amendment XXIV - The right of US citizens to vote in any election shall not be denied or abridged for failure to pay poll tax or other tax.
The 27th Amendment, commonly known as the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789, states that no law varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened.
