Bill of Rights and Other Amendments

Flashcards for reviewing the Bill of Rights and other Amendments to the US Constitution.

First Amendment

Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition; prevents Congress from establishing or prohibiting religious freedom; allows citizens to express views freely; prevents government censorship; and allows peaceful assembly and protest.

Second Amendment

Guarantees the right of citizens to own and operate weapons.

Third Amendment

Prohibits citizens from being forced to house soldiers in their homes.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against illegal search and seizure; law enforcement must have reasonable cause for search warrants; illegally seized evidence is inadmissible in court.

Fifth Amendment

Ensures due process, preventing imprisonment or deprivation of property without legal rights; prevents government abuse; and ensures rights during judicial hearings.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and fair trial; must be held in reasonable time and open to the public; accused can confront witnesses and call their own; and must allow legal representation.

Seventh Amendment

Guarantees the right to trial by jury in civil cases, allowing citizens a jury trial when being sued.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits fines and punishments that are unreasonably severe or cruel and unusual.

Ninth Amendment

States that citizens' rights are not limited to those listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

States that all powers not listed in the Constitution belong to the states.

Eleventh Amendment

Protects states from being sued in federal court without their consent, preserving their independence.

Twelfth Amendment

Revises the election of the President and Vice-President, where the president chooses his running mate.

Thirteenth Amendment

Prohibits slavery.

Fourteenth Amendment

Grants citizenship to anyone born in the US and establishes selective incorporation, applying the Bill of Rights to the states. Ensures equal treatment under the law.

Fifteenth Amendment

Gave all male citizens over the age of 21 the right to vote.

Sixteenth Amendment

Allows congress to tax citizens' income.

Seventeenth Amendment

Allows Citizens, not the state legislatures, elect their senators.

Eighteenth Amendment

Forbade the production, sale, and transport of alcohol.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Twentieth Amendment

Changed the presidential inauguration from March to January.

Twenty-First Amendment

Canceled the 18th amendment

Twenty-Second Amendment

Presidents can serve no more than 2 terms.

Twenty-Third Amendment

Washington, DC can choose electors for the Electoral College

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

States cannot charge a voting fee.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Clarifies that the VP will become president if the current president cannot fulfill his duties

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Grants those 18 and older the right to vote.

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Congress can increase their pay, but it will take effect with the next congress.

Civil Liberties

Protections against government actions. (e.g., First Amendment).

Civil Rights

Equal protections for all people. (e.g., Civil Rights Act, Brown v. Board of Education, etc.)