Constitutional Amendments

First Amendment

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

Second Amendment

right to bear arms—own and carry weapons

Third Amendment

prohibits forcing people to quarter soldiers during a time of peace

Fourth Amendment

protects against unreasonable searches and seizures

Fifth Amendment

protects rights during criminal cases, including protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination, and protects due process

Sixth Amendment

guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial with an impartial jury and legal representation

Seventh Amendment

the right to a jury trial in civil cases when a certain amount of money is involved

Eighth Amendment

prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment

Ninth Amendment

states that people have rights beyond what is listed in the Constitution

Tenth Amendment

states that powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution belong to the states or the people

Eleventh Amendment

limits lawsuits against states in federal courts

Twelfth Amendment

separated the election of the president and the vice president, using different ballots

Thirteenth Amendment

abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except in the case of punishment for a crime

Fourteenth Amendment

defined US citizenship and guarantees equal protection under law for all citizens

Fifteenth Amendment

extends the right to vote for all races

Sixteenth Amendment

allows the federal government to collect income tax

Seventeenth Amendment

provides for the direct election of Senators

Eighteenth Amendment

prohibition. of the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol

Nineteenth Amendment

gave women the right to vote

Twentieth Amendment

changed the start dates of presidential and congressional terms

Twenty-first Amendment

repealed the 18th Amendment

Twenty-second Amendment

placed term limits on the presidency

Twenty-third Amendment

gave residents of Washington, DC the right to vote in presidential elections

Twenty-fourth Amendment

prohibited poll taxes in federal elections

Twenty-fifth Amendment

stated that in the case of death or disability, the Vice President becomes the President, and provided for Vice President succession

Twenty-sixth Amendment

lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Twenty-seventh Amendment

prevented increases in congressional salaries to take effect until after the next election