Amendments by Melinda Bilyeu

1st Amendment

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-03 23:54:52 UTC

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.

Go over a few times in class - what are the 5 first freedoms?

SPARP

2nd Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-08 14:46:04 UTC

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

History Channel Video Annenberg Video

Review with 3rd Amendment

If you have on a tank top, you'd have 2 bare arms.

3rd Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-12 14:47:24 UTC

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Why?

Use today?

Fox News Video (2013)

It'll cost more than 3 quarters of a $ to house a solider.

4th Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-12 14:47:38 UTC

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

-Protection from unreasonable searches & seizures

-Provides for probable cause - leads to exclusionary rule

-Privacy vs. safety - LOTS of debate - in court - because it is hard to balance

"#4 lets me shut the door"

5th Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-13 17:21:53 UTC

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a GRAND JURY, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be TWICE put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a WITNESS against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without DUE PROCESS of law; nor shall private property be TAKEN for public use, without just compensation.

5 Things in the 5th:

- Grand Jury

- Protection from Double Jeopardy

- Protection from Self-Incrimination (I Plead the 5th!)

- Due Process of Law

- Eminent Domain

6th Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-20 01:42:12 UTC

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a SPEEDY and PUBLIC trial, by an IMPARTIAL JURY of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be INFORMED of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be CONFRONTED with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for OBTAINING witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of COUNSEL for his defence.

Edpuzzle

6 Things in 6th for an accused person:

- to have a speedy and public trial

- to a fair jury

- to know charges

- to confront witnesses

- to call witnesses for themselves/can make them

- to have a lawyer

Six is Speedy!

7th Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-21 21:09:16 UTC

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Civil Trial (7th A) vs. Criminal Trial (6th A) for FEDERAL court
Not $20 now - $75,000 is usually the federal minimum
Goofy video - Let's Be Civil Baby!

Importance: More guarantee of a JURY for CIVIL CASES and Supreme Court CAN'T re-examine the facts
Why?
SEVENTH IS CIVIL!

8th Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-28 12:35:10 UTC

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Shortest Amendment! BAIL, EXCESSIVE FINES, CRUEL/UNUSUAL

Controversial?

9th Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-30 01:19:36 UTC

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

PEOPLE
Examples?

10th Amendment (1791)

melindabilyeu — 2026-01-30 01:19:44 UTC

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

STATES
Examples?

11th Amendment (1794)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-03 12:34:31 UTC

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

Restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens in federal court
1 + 1 = 11 (right?)
Citizens from 1 state cannot sue 1 other state = 11

12th Amendment (1804)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-03 12:34:45 UTC

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President... (keeps on going, you can look up to read the whole thing)

Changed how the electoral college elects #1 (the President) & #2 (the Vice President)
1+2 = 12
Separate Ballots for #1 & #2 = 12th Amendment

13th Amendment - Civil War Amendment (1865)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-05 00:46:37 UTC

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Made slavery illegal (except...)

Why was that "except" significant?

Free-teen = Thirteen
Lucky Thirteen!

14th Amendment - Civil War Amendment (1868)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-05 00:46:45 UTC

This is a really long amendment! TEXT
Section 1: ALL persons born or naturalized...are citizens!

Section 2: ALL person are counted for representation (except..._)

Section 3: No person shall...if they engaged in insurrection/rebellion, aid and comfort to enemies

Section 4: U.S. won't pay Confederate debt

Section 5: Congress will enforce all of this

It was written to prohibit states from depriving a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

It also says that ALL CITIZENS have the right to equal protection of the law in all states.

Meant that all people were counted as a whole number - not 3/5ths

1 & 4 is 14 (one standard for all people)

15th Amendment - Civil War Amendment (1870)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-05 00:46:50 UTC

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Prohibits government from denying a person's right to vote on the basis of race

Permit = makes it possible

You get a permit when you are 15 - 15th permitted African American men to vote

16th Amendment (1913)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-11 03:15:08 UTC

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Gave the federal government the power to collect income tax.

Get a job when you turn 16=pay income tax

17th Amendment (1913)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-11 03:15:15 UTC

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

1. People will elect Senators (instead of state legislatures)

2. The Governor will appoint a senator if the seat opens

17 Senators

18th Amendment (1919)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-17 14:19:34 UTC

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

Prohibition of alcohol

It is illegal to drink alcohol when you are 18

19th Amendment (1920)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-17 14:19:47 UTC

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Right to vote for women

19 Women are voting

Nineteen=Voting Queen!

20th Amendment (1933)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-18 19:12:30 UTC

The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Moved inauguration to Jan 20th for the President; Jan 3 for Congress - which shortened the lame duck session.
The Twentieth Amendment also says that the vice president takes office if the president cannot. It also says what Congress needs to do if the vice president and president both cannot take office.

20 Ducks are Lame

The 20th moved the inauguration date to Jan 20th.

21 Amendment (1933)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-18 19:12:53 UTC

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Repealed Prohibition

When you are 21, it is legal to drink alcohol

22nd Amendment (1951)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-18 19:13:02 UTC

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.

Limits a person to 2 terms as President or 10 years total

Two Terms=Twenty Two

23rd Amendment (1961)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-20 17:53:02 UTC

The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:

A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a state, but in no event more than the least populous state; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

Gives residents of Washington DC the right to vote for representatives in the Electoral College.

23=3 for DC

24th Amendment (1964)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-20 17:53:10 UTC

The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.

The amendment forbids Congress and states from requiring poll taxes in order to vote in federal elections.

Why was this amendment important for Civil Rights?

IL was the first state to ratify!

Twenty-Four=Pay No More

25th Amendment (1967)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-20 17:53:27 UTC

This amendment is really long - these are the main ideas:
Section 1: Procedure if the office of POTUS is vacant
Section 2: Procedure the office of the VP is vacant
Section 3: Procedure if a POTUS thinks they are unable to serve
Section 4: Procedure if others think a POTUS is unable to serve

Conversations about "invoking the 25th Amendment"

Use Twenty-Five if the President is NOT Alive
25=POTUS Died

26th Amendment (1971)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-24 19:15:25 UTC

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

Last amendment to expand suffrage - changed voting age from 21 to 18

How was this connected to the Vietnam War?

Twenty-Six=18 year olds are in the mix!

27th Amendment (1992)

melindabilyeu — 2026-02-24 19:15:32 UTC

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.

Congressional pay raises can't start until the next term. Why?

Fun Fact: James Madison wrote this amendment too!

27=the LAST THING we want is Congress raising its own pay!