Amendments 15-27
AMENDMENT 15:
RIGHT TO VOTE - 1870
• The right of United
States citizens to
vote shall not be
abridged or denied
on account of race,
color or previous
condition of
servitude
AMENDMENT 16:
INCOME TAX - 1913
• Article 1, Section
9 was modified by
Congress
• The Congress shall
have the power to
lay and collect
taxes on income
AMENDMENT 17:
DIRECT ELECTION OF SENATORS - 1913
• Article 1, Section 3
was modified by
Congress
• Senators will
forthwith be
elected by the
people of the state
they represent
AMENDMENT 18:
PROHIBITION - 1919
Men drink at a “Speakeasy”
The
manufacturing,
sale, or transport
of intoxicating
liquors in the
United States is
hereby prohibited
AMENDMENT 19:
WOMAN SUFFRAGE - 1920
• “The right of
citizens of the
United States to
vote shall not be
denied or
abridged on
account of sex.”
AMENDMENT 20:
“LAME DUCK” SESSIONS - 1933
• Article 1, Section 4 was
modified by Congress
• Term of President and VP
end on January 20
• Senators & Reps on January
3
• (Amendment reduces time
between election and end
of term to reduce “lame
duck” effect)
AMENDMENT 21:
REPEAL OF PROHIBITION - 1933
• The 18th
Amendment of the
United States
Constitution is
hereby repealed
• Drinking is legal
again
AMENDMENT 22:
LIMIT ON PRESIDENTIAL TERMS - 1951
Passed shortly after Franklin
Roosevelt was elected to 4
terms
• No person
shall be
elected to the
office of the
President
more than
twice
AMENDMENT 23:
VOTING IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - 1961
• Residents of the
District of Columbia
are entitled to vote in
Presidential elections
• Electors (3)
representing D.C. will
insure the District’s
validity in
Presidential elections
AMENDMENT 24:
ABOLITION OF POLL TAXES - 1964
• The right of United
States citizens to vote
in Presidential and
Congressional
elections will not be
denied by reason of
failure to pay any poll
tax or other tax
1942 cartoon critical of Poll Tax
AMENDMENT 25:
PRESIDENTIAL DISABILITY & SUCCESSION
Succession Order
• Article 2, Section 1
modified by Congress
• VP takes over if President
is removed, dies, or
resigns
• If VP has a vacancy, the
President shall nominate
a VP who needs to be
confirmed by a majority
of both houses
• (Other specifics regarding
succession – VP, Speaker,
President Pro-Temp of
the Senate, etc.)
The Vice President
Speaker of the House
President pro tempore of the Senate
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Defense
Attorney General
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development
Secretary of Transportation
AMENDMENT 26:
18-YEAR-OLD VOTE - 1971
• Amendment 14,
Section 2 modified
• “The right of citizens
of the United States
who are eighteen
years of age or
older, to vote shall
not be denied”
AMENDMENT 27:
CONGRESSIONAL PAY - 1992
• “No law, varying the
compensation for the
services of the
Senators and
Representatives,
shall take effect, until
an election of
Representatives shall
have intervened”
Thus, Congress cannot vote
themselves a pay increase
TODAY’S CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
• Gun Control and the 2nd
Amendment
• Death Penalty and Cruel
and Unusual
• Prayer in Schools 1st
Amendment
• Censorship & Free Speech
• Terrorism and Seize and
Seizure rules – 4th
• Term Limits for Congress
• Campaign finance reform
• Abortion and Due
Process rights – 5th
Which amendment ended slavery?
• Amendment 13
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 15
Which amendment ended slavery?
• Amendment 13
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 15
Which amendment guarantees all people
regardless of their race the right to vote?
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 15
• Amendment 19
Which amendment guarantees all people regardless
of their race the right to vote?
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 15
• Amendment 19
Which amendment allowed the government to
tax people’s income?
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 16
• Amendment 19
Which amendment allowed the government to
tax people’s income?
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 16
• Amendment 19
Name the amendment that protects the rights
of all citizens.
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 15
• Amendment 19
Name the amendment that protects the rights
of all citizens.
• Amendment 14
• Amendment 15
• Amendment 19
What amendment granted women the right to
vote?
• Amendment 13
• Amendment 16
• Amendment 19
What amendment granted women the right to
vote?
• Amendment 13
• Amendment 16
• Amendment 19
Writing Activity
• Choose the amendment that you believe is
the most important. Write a paragraph
stating why you chose this amendment. Give
details that will support your choice. You
should have at least 4 sentences.
QUESTIONS???