Amendments Civics

1

1

guarantees the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition (part of Bill of Rights - written in 1789 by James Madison, ratified in 1791)

2

ensures citizens and the nation the right to security; supports the right for citizens to own firearms but states can regulate the sale and use

3

prohibits the government from forcing people to provide shelter (quarter) soldiers in their homes

4

protects the right to privacy, guards against illegal search and seizure, requires that there is probable cause for a search or arrest warrent

5

protects people accused of a crime by requiring due process of law - provides for a grand jury, includes double jeopardy protection, self-incrimination protection; it also defines the governments use of eminent domain

6

guarantees the right to speedy, public trial by an impartial jury, other rights like to know charges, have a lawyer, call and confront witnesses

7

provides for the right to a jury trial in federal courts for civil cases

8

prohibits excessive bail and also prevents judges from ordering a criminal to pay excessive fines; also bans cruel and unusual punishment

9

states that all other rights not spelled out in the Constitution are retained by the people - prevents government from claiming the only rights people have are those listed in the Bill of Rights

10

clarifies the nature of federalism; confirms that powers not given to the national government or denied to the states belong to the state (last amendment in Bill of Rights)

11

prohibits a state from being sued in federal court by citizens of another state or another country

12

requires the Electoral College to use separate ballots for voting for President and Vice President (makes the electors pick a president and a vice president, instead of just picking 2 choices for president)

13

outlaws slavery (1st of the Civil War Amendments)

14

intended to protect the legal rights of freed slaves; states that all citizens have the right to equal protection of the law in all the states (2nd of the Civil War Amendments); all persons count for representation; allows Congress to punish states; banned people from office

15

prohibits the government from denying a person's right to vote on the basis of race (3rd of the Civil War Amendments)

16

gives Congress the power to levy individual income taxes

17

states that the people, instead of state legislatures, elect United States Senators

18

prohibits the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages

19

guarantees women the right to vote

20

sets new dates for Congress to begin its term and for the inauguration of the President and Vice President; shortened the time period officials were lame ducks

21

repeals the 18th Amendment

22

limits the president to a maximum of 2 elected terms or a total of 10 years

23

allows citizens living in Washington, D.C. to vote for President and Vice President - it gets 3 electors in the Electoral College

24

prohibits poll taxes in federal elections

25

establishes a process for the Vice President to take over leadership of the nation when the President is disabled; it also sets procedures to filling the offices of Vice President

26

lowered the voting age to 18

27

makes congressional pay raises effective during the term following the vote (means they can't give themselves a raise in the current term); originally proposed by James Madison in 1789; ratified in 1992