AP GOVERNMENT: Amendments

AP Government Chapter 2 vocab list of all 27 amendments

First Amendment

Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms

Third Amendment

The federal government cannot quarter troops in your home

Fourth Amendment

No unreasonable Searches and Seizures

Fifth Amendment

Eminent Domain, Right to not self-incriminate, Double Jeopardy, Due Process (federal government)

Sixth Amendment

Right to a speedy trial, criminal cases, and right to an attorney

Seventh Amendment

Trial by jury, civil cases (e.g. lawsuits for damages)

Eighth Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment, excessive fines/bail

Ninth Amendment

You have rights not mentioned in the constitution

Tenth Amendment

Powers reserved to the states that are not delegated to the federal government (federalism admendment)

Eleventh Amendment

Cannot sue a state if you are a resident of another state or another country

Twelfth Amendment

President and Vice President elected together

Thirteenth Amendment

Ends slavery (Reconstruction amendment)

Fourteenth Amendment

Rights of Citizens, Equal Protection, Due Process (for former slaves) used to apply the Bill of Rights to the states

Fifthteenth Amendment

Right to vote based on race (Reconstruction)

Sixteenth Amendment

Income Tax

Seventeenth Amendment

Senators elected by voters not state legislatures (increasing democracy)

Eighteenth Amendment

Prohibition

Nineteenth Amendment

Women’s Suffrage

Twentieth Amendment

Lessens the “lame duck” period from March 4th to January 20th (for president) and January 3rd (for Congress)

Twenty-First Amendment

Ends Prohibition

Twenty-Second Amendment

Only two terms for the President (2 four year terms, 10 years max)

Twenty-Third Amendment

D.C. can vote for president

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

No Poll Taxes (on voting)

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Presidential succession: Allows V.P. to be President if the President is unable (e.g. surgery) and allows the V.P. and majority of cabinet to petition Congress to replace President (with the V.P.) if the President is unable to do his/her job (e.g. dementia)

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Right to vote for 18 year olds

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Congress cannot raise its own pay