Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution, written in 1787, has been amended several times since its inception. The Founding Fathers intended the document to be flexible to accommodate the changing needs of the country. The Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791, and since then, Congress has passed 23 additional amendments, with the states ratifying only 17. One notable example is the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920. The Constitution's main provisions include seven articles outlining the federal government's basic framework, with amendments still retaining the original text. Despite the amendments, the focus of each article remains unchanged since its adoption in 1787.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amendments | Four amendments were made to the final document by hand by the convention's secretary, William Jackson |
| Date of signing | September 17, 1787 |
| Number of delegates who endorsed the constitution | 39 |
| Date of first ratification | December 7, 1787, by Delaware |
| Number of amendments passed by Congress since the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791 | 23 |
| Number of amendments ratified by the states | 17 |
| Date of ratification by all states | May 29, 1790 |
| Date the Bill of Rights was ratified | December 15, 1791 |
| Date the 19th Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote | 1920 |
| Date the 16th Amendment was passed | 1913 |
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What You'll Learn
The Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified by nine of the original 13 states a year later, is the world's longest-surviving written constitution. The Founding Fathers intended the document to be flexible to accommodate the changing needs and circumstances of the country. The Constitution was amended several times after 1787, including the addition of the Bill of Rights in 1791.
The first three articles of the Constitution embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I); the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers (Article II); and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III). The Bill of Rights further strengthened the protection of individual liberties and the system of checks and balances within the federal government.
The first amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to peaceful assembly and petition. The second amendment protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. The third amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in civilian homes during peacetime without the owner's consent. The fourth amendment protects the right to security against unreasonable searches and seizures, while the fifth amendment guarantees due process of law, protects against self-incrimination, and prohibits double jeopardy.
The sixth amendment ensures the right to a fair and speedy trial, while the seventh amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in certain civil cases. The eighth amendment prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishments, and the ninth amendment addresses rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution. Finally, the tenth amendment clarifies that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.
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The 19th Amendment
The first women's suffrage amendment was introduced in Congress in 1878 but was rejected in 1887. In the 1890s, suffrage organizations shifted their focus to a national amendment while continuing to work at the state and local levels. By 1912, nine western states had adopted women's suffrage legislation. The movement gained momentum, and by 1916, almost all major suffrage organizations united behind the goal of a constitutional amendment.
The campaign for women's suffrage faced significant resistance and challenges. Opponents heckled, jailed, and physically abused supporters. Even after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, many women, particularly African Americans and other minority women, continued to be disenfranchised due to discriminatory state voting laws.
The passage of the 19th Amendment was a significant milestone in the history of the United States, altering the country's electoral landscape forever. It is commemorated annually on August 26 as Women's Equality Day, with special attention given to momentous anniversaries. The amendment has also inspired various artistic works, including songs, films, and documentaries, reflecting its enduring impact on American society and culture.
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The 16th Amendment
Before the 16th Amendment, the federal government's funding primarily came from tariffs on domestic and international goods. The idea of levying an income tax gained traction during the Progressive Era, which began at the end of the 19th century. Progressive groups advocated for an income tax, arguing that it would be fairer for the wealthy to contribute more, as tariffs disproportionately burdened the middle class and the poor.
The Revenue Act of 1861 was the first official federal income tax, but it was short-lived and repealed in 1872. The 1894 Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act included an income tax provision of 2% on incomes over $4,000 (equivalent to $135,951.63 in 2022 USD). However, the Pollock decision in 1895 effectively made a nationwide income tax impossible by distinguishing between "direct" and "indirect" taxes.
The passage of the 16th Amendment faced opposition, particularly from those connected to major businesses. However, the victory of the Democratic Party in the 1912 Presidential Election facilitated the Amendment's ratification. By 1913, the required thirty-six states out of the then forty-eight had ratified the Amendment, and it was formally accepted into the Constitution on February 3, 1913.
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The 13th and 14th Amendments
The US Constitution, written in 1787, is the world's longest-surviving written constitution. However, it has undergone several changes since its inception. The Founding Fathers intended the document to be flexible to accommodate the changing needs and circumstances of the country.
The 13th Amendment, adopted in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except in punishment for a crime. The Amendment was proposed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and subsequently ratified by several state legislatures.
The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, defines citizenship and guarantees certain protections to all citizens. It states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens and are entitled to due process of law and equal protection under the law. The 14th Amendment was proposed by Congress on June 13, 1866 and ratified by the required number of states by July 9, 1868.
Both the 13th and 14th Amendments were part of the Reconstruction Amendments passed during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. These amendments sought to establish equality for Black Americans and protect their rights. The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery, while the 14th Amendment extended citizenship to African Americans and ensured their legal rights.
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Amendments to protect freedom of speech, religion, and the press
The US Constitution, written in 1787 and ratified by nine of the original 13 states a year later, has been amended several times to protect freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The First Amendment, passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, and ratified on December 15, 1791, is one of the most significant amendments in this regard. It states that "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." This amendment ensures the protection of these fundamental freedoms and rights for all Americans.
The First Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments were added to address concerns about the powers of the federal government and to guarantee the protection of individual liberties. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, and since then, Congress has passed only 23 additional amendments, with the states ratifying just 17 of them.
The Founding Fathers intentionally designed the Constitution to be flexible and adaptable to the changing needs and circumstances of the nation. They understood that the document would need to evolve over time to remain relevant and effective. As Virginia delegate Edmund Randolph, one of the framers of the Constitution, stated, the goal was to "insert essential principles only, lest the operations of government should be clogged by rendering those provisions permanent and unalterable, which ought to be accommodated to times and events."
While the First Amendment is a critical safeguard for freedom of speech, religion, and the press, other amendments have also played a role in protecting these rights. For example, the 14th Amendment, passed after the Civil War, extended citizenship rights to African Americans and helped to further solidify the ideal of equality for all. Additionally, the 16th Amendment, ratified in 1913, gave the government the power to collect income tax, demonstrating how the Constitution has been amended to address financial and economic concerns without infringing on the fundamental rights outlined in the First Amendment.
In conclusion, the US Constitution has been amended multiple times to protect and uphold freedom of speech, religion, and the press. The First Amendment stands as a cornerstone of these liberties, ensuring that Congress cannot make laws that infringe upon them. The flexibility and adaptability built into the Constitution by the Founding Fathers have allowed it to endure as the world's longest-surviving written constitution, providing a framework for governance while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the American people.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789.
The Constitution originally included seven articles that define the basic framework of the federal government. The first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial.
The first amendments made to the Constitution were the Bill of Rights, which were ratified on December 15, 1791. Since then, Congress has passed 23 additional amendments, 17 of which have been ratified by the states. Notable amendments include the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, and the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
The Founding Fathers intended the Constitution to be flexible in order to fit the changing needs and circumstances of the country. Amendments have been made to address issues such as states' rights, income tax, and voting rights.
Changes to the Constitution have been implemented through the passage of amendments, which are proposed and ratified by Congress and the states. Additionally, some changes have come through judicial interpretation of existing laws, rather than the addition of new ones.
