IMPACT OF THE AMENDMENT

Impact of the Amendment



Impact of the Amendment

Thesis statement The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Introduction

Originally, the 14th amendment was put into the Bill of Rights because of the problems with the writs of assistance. The writs of assistance were a more generalized, open-ended search warrant in which the holder could search anyone or anyplace for anything at anytime. It was held for an indefinite amount of time and able to be used on a whim without any approval. Essentially, it put the holder above the law as the searching party was not held responsible for any damages. The writs were also transferable from person to person.

The writs of assistance were used by Britain to enforce the Navigation Acts, which involved the trade of England, and eventually the governor of Massachusetts, Sir Francis Bernard, issued them which led to Boston being put under martial law. The writs were a big problem to the colonials since they were permanent and required no approval.

Main body

The 14th amendment was passed by congress on June 13? 1866 and ratified (approved) July 9? 1868. It was passed giving previous slaves- (slavery was abolished in the 13th amendment except as punishment.) the rights that all United States citizens should have. It stated in section one: All persons born or naturalized in the United States? and subject to the jurisdiction thereof? are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make of enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Not only did this refer to African Americans and white people but to every United States citizen no mater of race? color? or previous condition of servitude involuntary or not.

Section two of this amendment states that Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers? counting the whole number of persons in each State? excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of Electors for President and Vic-President of the United States? Representatives in Congress? the executive and judicial officers of a State? or the members of the Legislature thereof? is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State? being twenty-one years of age? and citizens of the United States? or in any way abridged? except for participation in rebellion? or other crime the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such ...