Titles of Nobility Amendment

Titles of Nobility Amendment ratification map

== Titles of Nobility Amendment ==

The Titles of Nobility Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. It was first introduced in the early 19th century and sought to strip citizenship from any American who accepted a title of nobility from a foreign country. The amendment was never ratified, but it remains a topic of historical interest and discussion.

Historical Context

The Titles of Nobility Amendment was introduced during a period of heightened concern over foreign influence in American politics. The Founding Fathers of the United States were wary of the potential for European aristocratic systems to undermine the fledgling republic. The United States Constitution already contains provisions that prohibit the granting of titles of nobility by both the federal and state governments. Specifically, Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the Constitution states: "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States."

Text of the Amendment

The proposed amendment reads as follows:

If any citizen of the United States shall accept, claim, receive or retain any title of nobility or honour, or shall, without the consent of Congress, accept and retain any present, pension, office or emolument of any kind whatever, from any emperor, king, prince or foreign power, such person shall cease to be a citizen of the United States and shall be incapable of holding any office of trust or profit under them, or either of them.

Legislative History

The amendment was first proposed by Senator Philip Reed of Maryland in 1810. It passed both houses of Congress and was sent to the state legislatures for ratification. At the time, there were 17 states in the Union, and the amendment required the approval of 13 states to be ratified. However, only 12 states ratified the amendment, falling one state short of the required number.

Modern Relevance

Although the Titles of Nobility Amendment was never ratified, it has occasionally resurfaced in political discourse. Some proponents argue that it would serve as a safeguard against foreign influence in American politics, while critics contend that it is an outdated measure that addresses a non-existent problem.

Related Pages

• United States Constitution
• Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution
• Founding Fathers of the United States
• Philip Reed (Senator)
• Congress of the United States