Amending the Constitution

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Amending the Constitution
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• Two ways to add amendments
• 2/3 vote of each house of Congress
• Ratified by ¾s of the states
• 2/3 of state legislatures can demand a
  convention.
• Only first method has been used

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Bill of Rights
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• First 10 amendments to the Constitution
• Added to get support of some states, particularly
  Virginia
• Ratified in 1791
• Originally there were twelve, one did not get
  added, one not ratified until 1992.

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The Amendments
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• 1. Freedom of religion and expression
• 2. Right to bear arms
• 3. Quartering of soldiers
• 4. Security from unreasonable searches and
  seizures
• 5. Right of due process of law
• 6. Right to a fair trial
• 7. Trial by jury
• 8. Fair bail and punishments
• 9. Rights retained by the people
• 10. Powers reserved to the states

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Civil War Amendments
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• 13th Amendment Abolition of Slavery
• 14th Amendment Rights of Citizens
• 15th Amendment Voting Rights

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Key Amendments

• 16th The Income Tax
• 18th Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages
• 19th Womens Suffrage
• 21st Repeal of Prohibition
• 22nd Limit on Number of Presidential terms

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Other Key Amendments

• 24th Amendment - Abolition of Poll Tax in
  National Elections
• 26th Amendment Voting Age