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u.s. constitution

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1. -1791- Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition. a. The first amendment states that the federal government does not enforce the people to follow a religion. It also allows citizens to speak, print, and protest freely, ideally without any restrictions. The amendment was the first step in creating a democracy; it established vital rights for the people that they did not have under British rule. People could now voice their opinions and rally for change and revolution without reprimand. The following generations take these rights for granted yet they remain as invaluable in the 21st century as they were in the 18th century. 2. -1791- The right to keep and bear arms. a. The government gave people the right to bear weapons for self-defense and protection. Keeping with historical tradition, our forefathers included that men had the right to arm themselves for the revolution was won with artillery. The amendment also insinuates that every citizen is also a soldier that should serve to protect their liberties and the liberties of others. In this sense, the second amendment can be seen as a right and a duty to the country. 3. -1791- No quartering of soldiers in private houses during times of peace. a. Like the other amendments in the Bill of Rights, this amendment is also a result of the American Revolution. The law restricts the quartering of soldiers in private homes during times of peace because it was a pressing issue in the 18th century. ...read more.


The college lessens the impact of voting fraud amongst cities. It also seemed like a concern of the founding fathers to ensure that only the educated were voting for executive cabinet. 13. -1865- Abolition of slavery. a. The 13th amendment established the permanent and official abolition of slavery after the publication of the Emancipation of Proclamation. The ratification further united and divided the United States. Many people continued to fight for slavery while others embraced the abolition. The federal laws help break down racial barriers but discrimination does not disappear with the signing of a document. The 13th amendment was a big step in overcoming racial obstacles but it was one of many that needed to be done to have a fair society. 14. -1868- Citizenship rights. a. The amendment granted new freed slaves their basic liberties with citizenship. Neither northern nor southern states could deny citizens to their right to life, liberty, or property. It gave the federal government the power to intervene in state affairs and enforce the new amendment. The Constitution acknowledged that there should be equality for races through the ratification of the 14th amendment. The amendment was greatly influenced by the ideas of the Enlightened thinkers, specifically the English philosopher, John Locke; he believed that life, liberty and the right to ownership should be guaranteed. 15. -1870- Suffrage no longer restricted by race. a. The 15th amendment restricts state and any other form American government from preventing a citizen from voting based on race, but it did not include gender. ...read more.


Southern states rebelled against Reconstruction in the mid 1900's by putting such acts into practice. 25. -1967- Presidential succession. a. The 25th amendment outlines the procedures if the President or the Vice President's position suddenly becomes vacant. In the case the President can no longer fulfill his duties, then the Vice President shall fill the chief executive position. When the Vice President becomes unable to serve then the President can nominate a new candidate. The President should be able to choose the new Vice President so the two leading officers can be united. If they were from different parties or had diverging interests then conflicts would disrupt functionality of the office. 26. -1971- Voting age nationally established as age 18. a. The amendment establishes the legal voting age at 18. Before, most polls only allowed people of 21 years and older to vote. However, young soldiers who were enlisted in the Vietnam war were enraged that they could not participate in the election of their president. These men were too young to vote yet they were old enough to go off to fight. The 26th amendment permitted the younger generation to have a voice in politics. Although age is not an accurate measure of maturity or responsibility, 18 is the official age in which a citizen becomes an adult. 27. -1992- Limiting Congressional Pay Increases a. The most recent amendment prohibits the increase or decrease for Senators and House's salaries until after the election. It limits the power of Congress to set its own salary. ?? ?? ?? ?? Tran 1 ...read more.

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