This Amendment was passed and ratified in 1865 and it officially outlawed the practice of slavery in the United States. Prior to this various states had outlawed slavery and President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves in the Confederate states. This was the first time slavery was outlawed in the entire country, though forced labor is allowed if someone is duly sentenced to it by the legal system.

This Amendment was adopted in 1913 and formally allowed the government to tax the income that people receive. Prior to an income tax the government mainly relied on tariffs (taxes charged on imported goods) and excise taxes to provide for most of its revenue. This Amendment was partially brought about because of calls by the Populists to have a graduated income tax so that the wealthy pay more in taxes than the poor. They believed that this would benefit the common man and bring about more equality in American society.

Prior to this Amendment senators were elected by the various state legislatures in an effort to ensure that senators were only representing and working for the states and their best interests. This often led to senators being appointed through backroom politics and was heavily dependent on which political party controlled the state legislature, meaning that it was essentially a seat for political parties. Opposition to this came about thanks to the Populist movement when there was an increase in demand for the average citizen to have a say in government, and this was one of the changes that the Populists wanted to ensure that people had a choice in who would represent their state.

Prior to the 20^th Amendment the president-elect would not officially be inaugurated and take office until March. This proved very problematic in a couple instances, notably with President Lincoln, who was delayed in dealing with the secession of the Southern states, and also with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was delayed in reacting to the Great Depression. Congress realized that this lame-duck period was causing a lot of harm to the country and passed this Amendment, which was ratified in 1933. It moved up the inauguration to January and made it easier for the new president to start working on implementing new policy.

This Amendment was ratified in 1933 and repealed the 18^th Amendment, which had outlawed the production and sale of alcohol. It came about because of the rise in criminal activity that came about during the era of Prohibition. Many illegal establishments popped up for people to get alcohol from and gangs became more powerful and prevalent by controlling the alcohol supply. The 18^th Amendment was passed with the hope that it would create a better and safer society, but after seeing the harm that it had done many people decided that it needed to be done away with. This was the only amendment to be ratified by state conventions, as all other amendments were ratified solely by the state legislatures.

The 22^nd Amendment limits the terms that a person can be president, so that one can only be elected to two full terms or be elected to one term after completing at least two years of another term. FDR was elected four times and served just over 12 years as president, dying at the start of his first term. The question about FDR’s health gave people concern about having a president continually being elected. Prior to this there had been no limit on how long a president could serve, as most presidents simply followed the example set by George Washington to only serve two terms, or eight years. This Amendment was formally ratified in 1951.

The 19th Amendment allowed for women's suffrage. Abolition of poll taxes is addressed in the 24th amendment, individual income tax in the 16th amendment, a shortened lame duck period in the 20th amendment, and limitations of congressional salary in the 27th amendment.

The 12th Amendment changed the method by which the President and Vice President are elected. Previously, the candidate receiving the majority of votes became President, and the runner up became Vice President. The 12th Amendment, however, established separate elections for the President and Vice President.  

The eighth amendment protects against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.  

Freedom of press is found in the first amendment. Right to a lawyer, to be informed of changes, charges, and present-ness in court (in front of witnesses) is found in the sixth amendment. Right to a jury trial  is found in the seventh amendment. Rights not listed in the Constitution are guaranteed in the ninth amendment.

Amendment 13 is considered a CIVIL amendment: it abolished slavery.

Amendment 15 is considered a CIVIL amendment: it provided suffrage to black men.

Amendment 19 is considered a CIVIL amendment: it provided suffrage to women.Amendment 27 is NOT considered a civil amendment: it discussed congressional pay.