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| | There are 17 additional amendments beyond the Bill of Rights, or a total o 27 amendments overall. The most important of the additional amendments are: | | There are 17 additional amendments beyond the Bill of Rights, or a total o 27 amendments overall. The most important of the additional amendments are: |
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| − | '''Civil War Amendments''' (13-15): | + | '''Civil War Amendments''' (13th-15th): |
| | *13th Amendment abolished slavery | | *13th Amendment abolished slavery |
| | *14th Amendment limits the power of states, incorporates the Bill of Rights against them, and grants Americans rights of due process and equal protection | | *14th Amendment limits the power of states, incorporates the Bill of Rights against them, and grants Americans rights of due process and equal protection |
| | *15th Amendment prohibits discrimination against voting based on race, and led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (which prohibits "literacy tests" as a condition of voting) | | *15th Amendment prohibits discrimination against voting based on race, and led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (which prohibits "literacy tests" as a condition of voting) |
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| − | '''Progressive Era Amendments''' (16-21, important ones listed below): | + | '''Progressive Era Amendments''' (16th-21th, important ones listed below): |
| | *16th Amendment authorized the federal (national) income tax | | *16th Amendment authorized the federal (national) income tax |
| | *17th Amendment provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, rather than by state legislatures | | *17th Amendment provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, rather than by state legislatures |
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| | *19th Amendment extends the right to vote to women | | *19th Amendment extends the right to vote to women |
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| − | '''Post-World War II Amendments''' (22-27, important ones listed below): | + | '''Post-World War II Amendments''' (22nd-27th, important ones listed below): |
| | *22nd Amendment imposed a "term limit" of two full terms on presidents | | *22nd Amendment imposed a "term limit" of two full terms on presidents |
| | *24th Amendment prohibits requirement payment of a "poll tax" as a condition of being able to vote | | *24th Amendment prohibits requirement payment of a "poll tax" as a condition of being able to vote |
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| | After the Constitution and the major institutions of the federal government, what is left to this course? Political parties, interest groups, the media, and public opinion (as demonstrated by polling). | | After the Constitution and the major institutions of the federal government, what is left to this course? Political parties, interest groups, the media, and public opinion (as demonstrated by polling). |
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| − | The president has influence partly because of his authority granted by the Constitution, and partly because the media finds it easier report on him rather than on thousands of items of local news. Because of the media's attention to the president, he has a “bully pulpit.” When the president says something, the media are morely likely to repeat it than when others say something. But a president cannot speak freely for the same reason, and most of what a president says is "politically correct" rather than honest or insightful. | + | The president has influence partly because of his authority granted by the Constitution, and partly because the media finds it easier report on him rather than on thousands of items of local news. Because of the media's attention to the president, he has a “bully pulpit.” When the president says something, the media are more likely to repeat it than when others say something. But a president cannot speak freely for the same reason, and most of what a president says is "politically correct" rather than honest or insightful. |
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| | To others, the president is just another bit player in a system that has grown far bigger than anyone can control. We now live in the “regulatory state,” where massive regulations govern most aspects of our lives. Inevitably government grows larger and the regulations become more complex. Under this theory about government, there is nothing the president or anyone else can do about it, except perhaps slow the growth a bit. | | To others, the president is just another bit player in a system that has grown far bigger than anyone can control. We now live in the “regulatory state,” where massive regulations govern most aspects of our lives. Inevitably government grows larger and the regulations become more complex. Under this theory about government, there is nothing the president or anyone else can do about it, except perhaps slow the growth a bit. |
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| | Answer any two of the questions in each category above, for a total of eight questions. | | Answer any two of the questions in each category above, for a total of eight questions. |
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| − | Extra credit: answer an additional question in each category above, for an total of 12 questions. | + | Extra credit: answer an additional question in each category above, for an overall total of 12 questions. |
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| | == References == | | == References == |