Bill of Rights and Key Amendments for AP Govs

First Amendment

Protects basic freedoms: speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Establishment Clause

Prohibits the establishment of an official religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Guarantees the right to practice religion freely.

Second Amendment

Right to bear arms.

Third Amendment

Prohibits quartering of soldiers in private homes.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires warrants.

Fifth Amendment

Protects against double jeopardy and self-incrimination; guarantees due process and property rights.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees rights of the accused: speedy trial, jury of peers, right to attorney.

Seventh Amendment

Right to jury trial in civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

People retain rights not listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

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

Eleventh Amendment

Restricts lawsuits against states in federal court.

Twelfth Amendment

Separate electoral ballots for President and Vice President.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery.

Fourteenth Amendment

Citizenship for all born or naturalized in the U.S.; due process and equal protection clauses.

Fifteenth Amendment

Right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.

Sixteenth Amendment

Income tax established.

Seventeenth Amendment

Direct election of U.S. Senators by citizens.

Eighteenth Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol.

Nineteenth Amendment

Women's suffrage (right to vote).

Twentieth Amendment

Moved presidential inauguration to January 20th.

Twenty-First Amendment

Repealed prohibition (18th Amendment).

Twenty-Second Amendment

Presidential term limits (two terms).

Twenty-Third Amendment

D.C. residents can vote for President.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

No poll taxes for voting.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Established presidential succession and VP replacement.

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Voting age lowered to 18.

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

No congressional pay raises during the current term.