Bill of rights / Amendments

What does the First Amendment protect?

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms.

What is prohibited by the Third Amendment?

Forced housing of soldiers in private homes during peacetime.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants.

What rights does the Fifth Amendment ensure for the accused?

Due process, protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Right to a Fair Trial

Guarantees a speedy, public trial by jury in criminal cases, with legal counsel.

What does the Seventh Amendment guarantee?

A jury trial in federal civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

Clarifies that rights not listed in the Constitution are retained by the people.

What powers are reserved by the Tenth Amendment?

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Eleventh Amendment

Limits lawsuits against states in federal courts.

Twelfth Amendment (1804)

Revises electoral process; separate votes for president and vice president.

Thirteenth Amendment (1865)

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.

Fourteenth Amendment (1868)

Grants citizenship to all born or naturalized in the U.S.; guarantees equal protection under the law.

What does the Fifteenth Amendment prohibit?

Denial of voting based on race, color, or previous servitude.

Sixteenth Amendment (1913)

Authorizes Congress to impose an income tax.

What change did the Seventeenth Amendment bring?

Senators are elected directly by the people instead of state legislatures.

Eighteenth Amendment (1919)

Bans the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol (repealed by 21st Amendment).

Nineteenth Amendment (1920)

Grants women the right to vote.

Twentieth Amendment (1933)

Sets dates for terms to begin/end; known as the 'Lame Duck Amendment.'

Twenty-first Amendment (1933)

Repeals the Eighteenth Amendment.

Twenty-second Amendment (1951)

Limits the president to two terms.

Twenty-third Amendment (1961)

Grants D.C. residents the right to vote in presidential elections.

Twenty-fourth Amendment (1964)

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

Twenty-fifth Amendment (1967)

Clarifies procedures for presidential succession and inability.

Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971)

Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18.

What does the Twenty-seventh Amendment prevent?

Any pay raise for Congress from taking effect until after the next election.