Martin 4 Congress

 The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution instituted the ban on alcohol, rendering it unlawful to produce, sell, or transport intoxicating beverages within the United States. It was confirmed on January 16, 1919, and became effective one year later on January 17, 1920. The amendment did not forbid the consumption or private ownership of alcohol. Its purpose was to tackle social problems linked to alcohol use but ultimately resulted in a rise in illicit activities and organized crime. The amendment was annulled by the Twenty-first Amendment on December 5, 1933.

 Direct Election: Senators are chosen directly by the populace instead of being appointed by state legislatures. Filling Vacancies: It establishes a system for addressing Senate vacancies through special elections or provisional appointments by governors, if permitted by state legislatures.

 The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution bestows upon Congress the power to impose an income tax without distributing it among the states according to their population. Ratified on February 3, 1913, this amendment effectively nullified the Supreme Court's ruling in Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. (1895), which had deemed income taxes as "direct taxes" necessitating apportionment among the state.

 Prohibition of Voting Discrimination: The amendment explicitly states that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged by the United States or any state based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This means that African American men, who were previously enslaved, were granted the legal right to vote. Enforcement Clause: The amendment also grants Congress the power to enforce its provisions through appropriate legislation. This has allowed for subsequent laws aimed at protecting voting rights, such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Impact and Limitations: While it legally enfranchised African American men, various discriminatory practices like literacy tests and poll taxes emerged in many states, particularly in the South, effectively disenfranchising many Black voters until later civil rights advancements.

 Citizenship Clause: The amendment confers nationality to "all individuals born or naturalized in the United States," which encompasses previously enslaved persons. This provision effectively nullified the Supreme Court's Dred Scott ruling (1857), which refused citizenship to African Americans. Due Process Clause: It forbids states from stripping any individual of "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." This provision guarantees that all persons receive equitable treatment within the judicial system. Equal Protection Clause: The amendment stipulates that no state shall refuse any individual within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws." This provision has been essential in numerous significant Supreme Court cases concerning discrimination and civil rights. Apportionment of Representatives: Section 2 describes how legislators are distributed among states according to their populations while penalizing states that restrict ...

 Abolition of Slavery: The amendment clearly articulates that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a penalty for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States." This indicates that all types of slavery are unlawful, guaranteeing liberty for all persons. Exceptions: The sole exception mentioned in the amendment pertains to individuals who have been found guilty of a crime. In these instances, compelled labor may be enforced as part of their sentence. Enforcement Power: The second section of the amendment empowers Congress to uphold this ban through suitable legislation. This enables Congress to formulate laws aimed at obstructing practices that could be interpreted as forms of slavery or involuntary servitude.