27 Amendments Walkthrough | Constitution 101

Summary

This video provides an in-depth exploration of the 27 constitutional amendments in the United States. It begins with the Founding Era, covering the Bill of Rights and key protections like freedom of speech and religion. The script then covers the Reconstruction Amendments, which reshaped the nation post-Civil War, followed by Progressive Era reforms. It also addresses the modern era amendments that have shaped the current legal landscape, including those ensuring voting rights and presidential succession. The 27th Amendment's long journey to ratification serves as a fascinating conclusion, illustrating the evolving nature of constitutional reform.

Takeaways

• 😀 The U.S. Constitution has 27 amendments, each reflecting the evolving political, social, and moral landscape of America.
• 😀 Amendments can be proposed by Congress (2/3 majority) or state legislatures (2/3 of states).
• 😀 Ratification requires approval by 3/4 of state legislatures or special ratifying conventions in states.
• 😀 The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified to protect individual freedoms like speech, assembly, and due process.
• 😀 The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, part of the Reconstruction Era, focused on ending slavery and ensuring civil rights and voting rights for all citizens.
• 😀 The 16th Amendment (1913) allowed Congress to collect income taxes, marking a significant change in federal revenue.
• 😀 The 17th Amendment (1913) introduced the direct election of U.S. Senators, empowering voters more directly.
• 😀 The 19th Amendment (1920) granted women the right to vote, a key milestone in the women's suffrage movement.
• 😀 The 18th Amendment (1919) enacted Prohibition, banning alcohol, but it was later repealed by the 21st Amendment (1933).
• 😀 The 27th Amendment (1992), originally proposed in 1789, limits Congressional pay raises until after the next election, making it the latest amendment to be ratified.
• 😀 The amendment process, despite being difficult, shows how public activism and political pressure can lead to changes in the Constitution over time.

Q & A

What are the two primary steps in the constitutional amendment process?

The two primary steps are proposal and ratification. Article V of the Constitution outlines these steps.

What are the two methods of proposing a constitutional amendment?

An amendment can be proposed either by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or by a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures.

How are constitutional amendments ratified?

Amendments can be ratified either by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states or by specially elected ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states. Congress decides which method to use.

What is the significance of the Bill of Rights in the Founding Era?

The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first 10 amendments, was designed to protect individual freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial, responding to concerns about the new federal government's power.

How did the 14th Amendment change the Constitution after the Civil War?

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., overturned the Dred Scott decision, and provided for equal protection under the law. It also incorporated the Bill of Rights protections against the states.

What was the impact of the 19th Amendment?

The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote, marking the culmination of nearly a century of activism in support of women's suffrage.

What key change did the 17th Amendment bring to the electoral system?

The 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913, allowed for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, rather than by state legislatures, which was how it was originally structured in the Constitution.

What does the 22nd Amendment limit?

The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, limits presidents to two terms in office, reinstating the precedent set by George Washington.

What does the 25th Amendment address?

The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, provides a clear process for presidential succession and handling presidential incapacity, a response to concerns raised by President Kennedy's assassination and President Eisenhower’s illnesses.

How did Gregory Watson contribute to the ratification of the 27th Amendment?

Gregory Watson, a University of Texas student, researched the proposed 27th Amendment (originally part of the Bill of Rights) and discovered it had no time limit for ratification. He campaigned for its ratification, leading to its eventual passage in 1992, over 200 years after it was first proposed.