US Constitutional Amendments by Waves

1st Amendment

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

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Limits the quartering of soldiers in private homes.

4th Amendment

Protects against unjust searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process; protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

6th Amendment

Guarantees right to a speedy trial, impartial jury, and legal counsel.

7th Amendment

Guarantees a jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

States that unlisted rights are still protected.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to states or citizens.

11th Amendment

Protects states from being sued by citizens of another state or country.

12th Amendment

Requires electors to cast separate ballots for President and Vice President.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Granted birthright citizenship and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Protected voting rights regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.

16th Amendment

Allows federal income tax collection not based on population.

17th Amendment

Established direct election of senators by popular vote.

18th Amendment

Established prohibition of alcohol.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

20th Amendment

Sets start dates for President and Congress to shorten lame-duck periods.

21st Amendment

Ended prohibition by repealing the 18th Amendment.

22nd Amendment

Limits a president to serving two terms.

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington D.C. residents presidential voting rights.

24th Amendment

Made poll taxes in federal elections illegal.

25th Amendment

Sets rules for presidential succession and disability.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

27th Amendment

Prevents congressional pay raises from taking effect until the next election.

1st wave

Bill of rights (1-10) was formed because citizens were scared of repeating an unjust and tyrannical government like that of Britain

2nd Wave

Reconstruction (13-15) safeguarded and protected the rights of formerly enslaved people after the Civil War

3rd Wave

Progressive (16-19) improved society, made it more equitable, and gave more people access to the federal government

4th Wave

Crisis (20,22,25) The great depression and fight against dictatorship in WWII caused citizens to reexamine the government's ability to deal with crisis

5th Wave

Civil Rights Era (23,24,26) Civil rights and Vietnam protest eras of the 50s and 60s led to a change in voting right gaps