27 Amendments

Amendment 1: Freedom of Religion, Speech, and of the Press: Right of Petition

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment 2: Right to keep and Bear Arms

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3: Quartering of Soldiers in Private Houses

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner; nor, in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment 4: Searches and Seizures

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.

Amendment 5: Criminal Proceedings

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous, crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of War, or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb (double jeopardy) ; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself (self-incrimination) nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

Amendment 6: Criminal Proceedings (cont.)

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Amendment 7: Jury Trial in Civil Cases

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of common law.

Amendment 8: Excessive Punishments

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.

Amendment 9: Unenumerated Rights of the People

The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment 10: Powers reserved to States

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendment 11: Suits against States

This amendment deals with lawsuits filed against states in federal court.

Amendment 12: Election of President and Vice President

This amendment provided for separate ballots for president and vice president.

Amendment 13

Abolition of Slavery & Emancipation Proclamation

Amendment 14:

Civil Rights and citizenship to Black Americans; Apportionment of Representatives; Political Disabilities, Public Debt

Protects the rights of former slaves.

This amendment is the source of federal civil rights legislation.

Amendment 15: Right of Suffrage for Black Americans

Established the right of former slaves to vote

Amendment 16: Income Tax

This amendment empowered Congress to lay a tax on personal incomes.

Amendment 17: Popular Election of Senators

This amendment provided for the direct election of senators by the voters of a state

Amendment 18 (1919): National Prohibition

This amendment prohibited the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States.

Amendment 19 (1920): Women's Suffrage

This amendment gave women the right to vote

Amendment 20 (1933): The convening of Congress and the Inauguration of the President and Vice President

"lame duck amendment" moved the date on which newly elected Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senators, and representatives take office.

Amendment 21 (1933)

Repeal of National Prohibition

Amendment 22 (1951): Limitation of Presidential Tenure

this amendment limited the tenure of the President to two terms and a maximum of ten years

Amendment 23 (1961): Presidential Electors for Washington D.C.

this amendment granted the District of Columbia a number of presidential electors equal to that of the smallest state.

Amendment 24 (1964): Abolition of Poll Taxes

This amendment abolished poll taxes as a requirement for voting in federal elections.

Amendment 25 (1967): Presidential and Vice-Presidential Succession