Susanna Madora Salter was the first woman elected as mayor in the US in 1887, after her name was secretly added to the ballot. The women’s suffrage movement began in 1848 and after 70 years, the 19th amendment was passed. Decades before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution officially enfranchised American women in […]
Wyoming gave women the right to vote in 1869, 50 years before the 19th Amendment. The bill was passed to increase the population to qualify for statehood. Wyoming became a state in 1890. Other states that allowed women to vote were Colorado, Utah, and Idaho. Tennessee cast the deciding vote for the 19th Amendment. Women […]
The Tenth Amendment grants states powers not given to the federal government, limiting it to powers expressly mentioned in the Constitution. It does not strip away implied powers granted under the necessary and proper clause. States have used the amendment to challenge federal interference in environmental and labor regulations. The federal government grants many powers […]
The 24th Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits the prevention of citizens from voting due to non-payment of the poll tax. It is related to the Reconstruction Amendments, which aimed to protect the rights of freed slaves. The poll tax disproportionately affected black Americans and was abolished in 1964 with the ratification of the 24th […]
The 17th amendment to the US Constitution requires senators to be elected by popular vote and provides changes to filling mid-term vacancies. It replaced an earlier article that required state legislatures to elect senators. Prior to the amendment, state legislatures elected senators to prevent uninformed voters from electing unqualified candidates. The concept of direct election […]
The Hyde Amendment is a US law that prohibits federal funding for abortions, passed in 1976. It has been revised to allow exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and threats to the mother’s life. Some states have their own funding to help low-income women access abortion services. The amendment serves as a compromise on the […]
The Eleventh Amendment protects states from prosecution in federal court by citizens of other states or countries. It was added to the Constitution in 1795, reversing a Supreme Court decision. The amendment prohibits federal court cases brought by US citizens or foreign nationals against American states, acknowledging each state’s sovereign immunity. The Stripping Doctrine allows […]
The US Constitution provided a mechanism for amending the Constitution as needed. The 16th Amendment clarified Congress’s authority to levy taxes on income, without apportionment among states. Prior to its ratification, there was confusion about whether income taxes were direct or indirect taxes. The tax amendment ended this debate by stating that all income is […]
The 27th Amendment to the US Constitution, also known as the Madison Amendment, prevents changes to the salaries of Congress members until after the election of House of Representatives members. It was proposed in 1789 and ratified in 1992 after a slow process. Only five states have not ratified it. The 27th Amendment is an […]
The 25th Amendment to the US Constitution was influenced by President Kennedy’s assassination and medical technology. It clarifies the process of replacing a president who is unable to fulfill their duties and grants certain powers to the president and executive branch. The amendment also allows for the removal of a president if they are unable […]
The 15th Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or former servitude. It was ratified in 1870 as part of the Reconstruction Amendments, aimed at abolishing slavery and promoting equality. The amendment was supported by the Republican Party to increase their electoral base. While Congress has the […]
The Twentieth Amendment to the US Constitution sets the beginning and end of terms for federal officials, including the president and vice president. It shortens the time between the election and inauguration of a new president to ensure smooth government activity. It also requires Congress to meet at least once a year. The amendment was […]
Slavery was legal in the US until the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the 13th Amendment in 1865. The Constitution can be amended, as seen with the Bill of Rights and the 11th and 12th amendments. The issue of slavery led to the Civil War and the secession of Southern states. The Emancipation Proclamation was […]
The Sixteenth Amendment to the US Constitution allows Congress to collect income taxes without apportionment among states or regard to census. It is controversial due to differing interpretations and constitutionality concerns, with some arguing it limits income taxes to indirect taxes. Income taxes are important for funding public programs, but controversial due to the progressive […]
The temperance movement led to the 18th Amendment, which banned the sale and transportation of alcohol in the US. This led to a black market and increased crime. The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th, making alcohol legal again. It was ratified by state convention and remains the only amendment to repeal an earlier one. During […]
The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights of defendants in criminal proceedings, including a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, legal representation, and the right to cross-examine witnesses and inspect evidence. It also provides for a notice of indictment and prohibits hearsay admission. The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution establishes the rights of […]
An amendment in the nature of a substitute replaces the body of a bill while retaining the title and enabling clauses. It can be used to clarify language, address changes in circumstances, or rework constitutionally objectionable aspects of a bill. An amendment in the nature of a substitute is in fact a replacement of the […]
The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures, including illegal arrest. It applies to both federal and state law enforcement agencies and requires probable cause or a warrant for a search. There are exclusions, such as visible open containers of alcohol, and it only applies to government entities. Violations can result in cases […]
The US Constitution provides the framework for governing the country. The 14th Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, granted citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the US and included the due process and equal protection clauses, which have been used in many legal arguments. The US Constitution provides the basic framework and guiding principles […]
The Second Amendment grants citizens the right to bear arms for a well-regulated militia. English history shows access to guns was an obligation, but in the 17th century, owning arms required property. American immigrants valued the right to bear arms due to dangers and hunting skills. The amendment also addresses the need for a well-ordered […]
