Constitutional Amendments

Right to confront/question the accuser and/or witnesses against you (1791)

6th Amendment

Passed after John F Kennedy was assassinated and Lyndon Johnson assumed the presidency; Johnson had a history of heart problems, and a method was needed to select a new vice-president

25th Amendment

Lawsuits against States cannot take place in Federal courts (1795)

11th Amendment

Protection from self-incrimination / right to remain silent (1791)

5th Amendment

Right to retain legal counsel (1791)

6th Amendment (2)

Right to keep and bear arms (1791)

2nd Amendment

Protection from the forced quartering of soldiers during times of peace (1791)

3rd Amendment

Passed because during the war in Vietnam, 18 year olds were being drafted to fight (and possibly die), but they weren't old enough to vote in elections

26th Amendment

Made alcoholic beverages legal again

21st Amendment

Right to be informed of any charges against you (1791)

6th Amendment (3)

Right to indictment by grand jury (1791)

5th Amendment (2)

Senators elected by popular vote (1913)

17th Amendment

Right to trial by jury in civil cases (1791)

7th Amendment

Prohibits excessive fines or bail (1791)

8th Amendment

Abolished Slavery and involuntary servitude (1865)

13th Amendment

Right to due process of law (1791)

5th Amendment (3)

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment (1791)

8th Amendment (2)

Right to obtain witnesses to testify on your behalf (1791)

6th Amendment (4)

Required separate electoral votes for President and Vice President (1804)

12th Amendment

Right to trial by an impartial jury (1791)

6th Amendment (5)

Guarantees unenumerated rights are retained by the people (1791)

9th Amendment

Limits the powers of the federal government to those delegated to it by the Constitution - all other powers are retained by the States or people (1791)

10th Amendment

Limits the President to serving only 2 Terms (1951)

22nd Amendment

Passed as a result of court case Chisholm v. Georgia (1793)

11th Amendment (2)

Establishes eminent domain (1791)

5th Amendment (4)

Moved up the start dates for Presidential and Congressional terms to January (1933)

20th Amendment

Passed as a result of the President and Vice President being from opposing parties in the elections of 1796 and 1800

12th Amendment (2)

Prohibits the use of poll taxes in elections (1964)

24th Amendment

Defines citizenship, grants citizenship to former slaves, and protects due process of law and equal protection under the law from infringement by the States (1868)

14th Amendment

Lowered the legal voting age from 21 to 18 (1971)

26th Amendment (2)

Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color , or previous condition of servitude, allowing African-American males the right to vote (1870)

15th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages (1919)

18th Amendment

Sets succession procedures for death, incapacitation, or resignation of president and appointment procedures for vice-president if the office becomes vacant (1967)

25th Amendment (2)

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures (1791)

4th Amendment

Allows Congress to impose an income tax (1913)

16th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote (1920)

19th Amendment

Right to a fair, speedy, and public trial (1791)

6th Amendment (6)

Prohibits immediate pay increases for members of Congress (1992)

27th Amendment

Reduced "Lame Duck" periods

20th Amendment (2)

Protects against double jeopardy (1791)

5th Amendment (5)

Repeal (canceled) Prohibition (1933)

21st Amendment (2)

Passed after Franklin Roosevelt was elected to 4 terms as President

22nd Amendment (2)

Sets requirements for judicially-backed search warrants based on probable cause (1791)

4th Amendment (2)

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition (1791)

1st Amendment

Grants electoral votes to Washington D.C. (1961)

23rd Amendment

Passed to Protect Rights; Amendments 1-10

Bill of Rights

Amendments 13, 14, 16

Advancing Equality Amendments

Amendments 11, 12, 20, 22, 25, 27

Correcting Weaknesses in Government Structure Amendments

Amendments 15, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26

Expanding Suffrage Amendments

Amendments 18, 21

Legislating Public Policy Amendments