U.S. Constitution: 27 Amendments

Amendment 1

Protects the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government

Amendment 2

Protects an individual's right to bear arms

Amendment 3

Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers during peacetime

Amendment 4

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause

Amendment 5

Sets out rules for indictment by grand jury and eminent domain, protects the right to due process, and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy

Amendment 6

Protects the right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, including the rights to be notified of the accusations, to confront the accuser, to obtain witnesses and to retain counsel

Amendment 7

Provides for the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases, according to common law

Amendment 8

Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment

Amendment 9

Protects rights not enumerated in the constitution.

Amendment 10

Limits the powers of the federal government to those delegated to it by the Constitution

Amendment 11

Immunity of states from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within the state borders. Lays the foundation for sovereign immunity

Amendment 12

Choosing the President, Vice President

Revises presidential election procedures

Amendment 13

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime

Amendment 14

Defines citizenship, contains the Privileges or Immunities Clause, the Due Process Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, and deals with post-Civil War issues (for the states)

Amendment 15

Prohibits the denial of suffrage based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Amendment 16

Allows the federal government to collect income tax

Amendment 17

Establishes the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote

Amendment 18

Establishes prohibition of alcohol (repealed by Twenty-first Amendment)

Amendment 19

Establishes women's suffrage

Amendment 20

Fixes the dates of term commencements for Congress (January 3) and the President (January 20); known as the "lame duck amendment"

Amendment 21

Repeals the Eighteenth Amendment and prohibits violations of state laws regarding alcohol.

Amendment 22

Limits the president to two terms, or a maximum of 10 years (i.e., if a Vice President serves not more than one half of a President's term, he or she can be elected to a further two terms)

Amendment 23

Provides for representation of Washington, D.C. in the Electoral College

Amendment 24

Prohibits the revocation of voting rights due to the non-payment of poll taxes

Amendment 25

Codifies the Tyler Precedent; defines the process of presidential succession

Amendment 26

Establishes the right to vote for those age 18 years or older.

Amendment 27

Prevents laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until the beginning of the next session of Congress