Overview of the U.S. Constitutional Amendments

1st Amendment

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

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms

3rd Amendment

No quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime

4th Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

Right to due process; protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy

6th Amendment

Right to a fair, speedy, public trial in criminal cases

7th Amendment

Right to trial by jury in civil cases

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment or excessive bail/fines

9th Amendment

Protection of unenumerated rights

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to states or the people

11th Amendment

Limits lawsuits against states

12th Amendment

Revises presidential election procedures

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship; equal protection under the law

15th Amendment

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race

16th Amendment

Authorizes federal income tax

17th Amendment

Direct election of Senators

18th Amendment

Prohibits alcohol (Prohibition begins)

19th Amendment

Women's suffrage (right to vote)

20th Amendment

Changes dates of congressional/presidential terms

21st Amendment

Repeals Prohibition (18th Amendment)

22nd Amendment

Limits president to two terms

23rd Amendment

Gives D.C. presidential electoral votes

24th Amendment

Bans poll taxes in federal elections

25th Amendment

Presidential succession and disability procedures

26th Amendment

Lowers voting age to 18 from 21

27th Amendment

Limits Congressional pay increases