Amendments to the US Constitution (in simple terms)

1st Amendment

Bill of Rights

freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

2nd Amendment

Bill of Rights

right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

Bill of Rights

against quartering of soldiers

4th Amendment

Bill of Rights

protection against search and seizure

5th Amendment

Bill of Rights

self-incrimination (right to remain silent); due process

6th Amendment

Bill of Rights

right to speedy trial

7th Amendment

Bill of Rights

right to jury trial in civil lawsuits

8th Amendment

Bill of Rights

against cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Bill of Rights

protects non-listed rights

10th Amendment

Bill of Rights

protects states’ rights

11th Amendment

states cannot be sued by citizens by another state or country or foreign countries

12th Amendment

changed how president and vice president were elected

13th Amendment

Reconstruction Amendment

abolition of slavery

14th Amendment

Reconstruction Amendment

rights of citizenship to anyone born in US

15th Amendment

Reconstruction Amendment

no voting discrimination by race

16th Amendment

Progressive Amendment

federal income tax

17th Amendment

Progressive Amendment

direct election of senators

18th Amendment

Progressive Amendment

prohibition (makes alcohol illegal)

19th Amendment

Progressive Amendment

Women’s suffrage (right to vote)

20th Amendment

changed inauguration date to January 20th

21st Amendment

repealed prohibition

22nd Amendment

limited presidency to 2 terms (after FDR)

23rd Amendment

gave DC residents the right to vote and appoint electors to electoral college

24th Amendment

formal abolition of poll taxes

25th Amendment

clarifies presidential succession (if president dies/resigns, vp becomes president and VP spot is filled by nomination)

26th Amendment

changed voting age to 18

27th Amendment

prohibited Congress from increasing their own salaries