Progressive
Amendments
Progressive Amendments

The 16th Amendment- Income Tax, r.
1913
– In 1894, Congress passed an income tax
law. The law was challenged in court and
declared unconstitutional. So, the 16th
Amendment was added to give Congress
the power to tax income from:
1. “whatever source derived”, wages, rent,
Progressive Amendments
Interest, profits, gambling, inheritance, etc.
2. Without apportionment to the states
3. Without regard for the census.

The 17th Amendment- Direct election
of US Senators r. 1913
– The original Constitution provided that
U.S. Senators were to be elected by the
legislatures in the States NOT the people
directly.
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-17th amendment states that:
1.
2.
3.

2 senators per state
Elected for 6 year terms & one vote each
The governor can fill a vacancy until a
special election can be held
The 18th Amendment- Prohibition, r.
1919 enforced by the Volstead Act.
– Passed right after WWI while the boys
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– Were away. It prohibited the
manufacture, sale, transportation,
importation, and exportation in the
states/territories. BOTH congress and the
states could enforce the amendment.
Placed a 7 year limit for ratification.
Progressive Amendments

The 19th Amendment- Women’s
Suffrage, r. 1920
– Suffrage is the right to vote.
– Enfranchise = ?
– Disenfranchise = ?
– The right to vote may not be abridged or
denied by the U.S. or any state on
account of sex.
Progressive Amendments

The 20th Amendment- Terms of Office,
r. 1933
– This is the “lame duck” amendment.
– Designed to shorten the time between
the election and the inauguration of
elected officials.
– Inauguration= swearing an oath and
taking office.
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– President and VP terms begin at noon on
January 20.
– Congress’ term begins at noon on January 3.

The 21st Amendment- Repeal of Prohibition,
r. 1933
– 18th Amendment is hereby repealed.
– Individual states may continue prohibition.