Amendments 11–27 — How the Constitution Continued to Evolve
The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10) limited government power and protected individual liberty.
But the Constitution did not stop changing in 1791.
From 1795 to 1992, seventeen additional amendments were ratified. These amendments:
- Clarified how government works
- Expanded civil rights
- Improved elections
- Limited presidential power
- Strengthened democratic participation
Each one responded to a real national problem.
To understand them, we also need to understand how amendments are added.
How the Constitution Is Amended
The process is outlined in Article V of the Constitution.
There are two main steps:
Step 1: Proposal
An amendment can be proposed in one of two ways:
- By a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or
- By a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of the states (this has never been used).
Nearly all amendments have been proposed by Congress.
Step 2: Ratification
After being proposed, an amendment must be ratified by:
- Three-fourths of the state legislatures, or
- Ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states.
This high threshold ensures that amendments require broad national agreement.
The process is intentionally difficult. The Constitution is meant to be stable — but not unchangeable.
Amendment 11 (1795) — State Sovereign Immunity
Context: In Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), the Supreme Court allowed a citizen to sue a state in federal court.
States reacted strongly. They feared losing sovereignty.
What It Does:
The Eleventh Amendment limits when individuals can sue states in federal court.
Why It Matters:
It reinforces the idea that states retain a degree of sovereign immunity within the federal system.
Amendment 12 (1804) — Fixing Presidential Elections
Context: The election of 1800 resulted in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, throwing the decision to the House of Representatives.
What It Does:
Requires electors to cast separate ballots for President and Vice President.
Why It Matters:
It stabilized presidential elections and formalized political party practices.
The Reconstruction Amendments (13, 14, 15)
Passed after the Civil War, these amendments reshaped American freedom.
Amendment 13 (1865) — Abolition of Slavery
Context: The Civil War ended slavery in practice, but constitutional change was needed to abolish it permanently.
What It Does:
Ends slavery and involuntary servitude (except as punishment for a crime).
Impact:
It legally destroyed the foundation of the slave system.
Amendment 14 (1868) — Citizenship and Equal Protection
Context: After slavery ended, formerly enslaved people needed legal protection.
What It Does:
- Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.
- Guarantees due process
- Guarantees equal protection of the laws
Impact:
This amendment transformed civil rights law. Courts have used it to strike down segregation, protect minority rights, and apply most of the Bill of Rights to the states.
Amendment 15 (1870) — Voting Rights Regardless of Race
Context: After the Civil War, Southern states attempted to restrict Black voting rights.
What It Does:
Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race.
Impact:
Although later undermined by discriminatory practices, it became a foundation for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Structural and Electoral Reforms
Amendment 16 (1913) — Federal Income Tax
Context: The government needed a stable revenue source beyond tariffs.
What It Does:
Allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states.
Impact:
It permanently reshaped federal funding.
Amendment 17 (1913) — Direct Election of Senators
Context: Corruption and political deadlock plagued state legislature selection of Senators.
What It Does:
Allows citizens to directly elect U.S. Senators.
Impact:
Expanded democratic participation and reduced corruption.
Amendment 18 (1919) — Prohibition
Context: Temperance movements argued alcohol caused social harm.
What It Does:
Banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol.
Impact:
Led to widespread illegal activity and was difficult to enforce.
Amendment 21 (1933) — Repeal of Prohibition
Context: Prohibition proved ineffective and unpopular.
What It Does:
Repeals the 18th Amendment.
Impact:
Demonstrates that constitutional change can be reversed.
Expanding Voting Rights
Amendment 19 (1920) — Women’s Suffrage
Context: Decades of activism demanded equal voting rights.
What It Does:
Prohibits denying the vote based on sex.
Impact:
Doubled the electorate and reshaped American democracy.
Amendment 23 (1961) — D.C. Electoral Votes
Context: Residents of Washington, D.C. had no vote in presidential elections.
What It Does:
Grants D.C. electors in the Electoral College.
Amendment 24 (1964) — End of Poll Taxes
Context: Poll taxes suppressed poor and minority voters.
What It Does:
Bans poll taxes in federal elections.
Amendment 26 (1971) — Voting Age 18
Context: Vietnam War protests argued 18-year-olds could fight but not vote.
What It Does:
Sets voting age at 18 nationwide.
Presidential Power and Limits
Amendment 20 (1933) — Shortening the Lame Duck Period
Moves presidential inauguration to January 20 and congressional terms to January 3.
Reduces the time outgoing officials remain in power after losing elections.
Amendment 22 (1951) — Two-Term Limit
Context: Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms.
What It Does:
Limits presidents to two elected terms.
Amendment 25 (1967) — Presidential Succession
Context: Confusion followed President Kennedy’s assassination.
What It Does:
Clarifies procedures if a president dies, resigns, or becomes unable to serve.
Amendment 27 (1992) — Congressional Pay Delays
Context: Concern over lawmakers voting themselves raises.
What It Does:
Any congressional pay increase cannot take effect until after the next election.
Interesting Fact:
It was originally proposed in 1789 but ratified over 200 years later.
What Amendments 11–27 Reveal
These amendments show:
- The Constitution evolves through crisis
- Rights can expand
- Government structures can improve
- Democracy can become more inclusive
They reflect:
- The end of slavery
- Expansion of voting rights
- Increased accountability
- Clearer executive procedures
- Ongoing democratic reform
The Constitution Is Difficult to Change — On Purpose
Amendments require overwhelming agreement.
This prevents sudden or extreme changes.
But when the nation reaches consensus, change is possible.
That balance — stability with flexibility — is one of the Constitution’s greatest strengths.
Why This Matters
Amendments 11–27 remind us that democracy is not static.
It adapts.
It corrects.
It expands.
And every amendment represents a moment when Americans decided the system needed improvement.
Understanding these changes is part of understanding how self-government works because constitutional literacy is not optional in a democracy.
It is essential.
Because the Constitution only works when the people understand it.**