AP Gov amendments

Amendment #1

Protects 5 basic freedoms:

1. Freedom of religion

   1. You’re free to practice whatever religion you want OR not practice any religion at all

   2. Government cannot set up an official state religion

2. Freedom of speech

   1. You can say and share your thoughts without government punishment

3. Freedom of the press

   1. Newspapers, writers, and TV can share facts or opinions without gov stopping them

4. Freedom of assembly 

   1. People can gather (assemble) in public spaces for peaceful protests or just hanging out

5. Freedom to petition

   1. You can ask the government to fix problems or change laws if you don’t like them

Amendment #2

The right to keep and bear arms (you can own and carry weapons)

Amendment #3

no quartering of soldiers (The government cannot force people to house soldiers in their private homes during times of peace)

Amendment #4

protects people from unfair and random searches and seizures by the government

• Cops must have probable cause (good reason) and a signed warrant from a judge before they can search your home and take your things

Amendment #5

Protects people from unfair treatment during legal trials:

• The right to a grand jury for big trials

  • A group of citizens decide if there’s enough evidence to hold a trial for a serious crime

• No double trials

  • If you are found innocent for a crime, you cannot be put back on trial for that exact same crime

• No self-incrimination

  • “I plead the fifth”

  • You don’t have to answer police questions or testify at your trial if you think it will make you look guilty

• Due process

  • The gov has to follow established rules and laws before they can take away your freedom or property

• Eminent domain

  • Gov can take private property for public use but they have to pay a fair price for it

amendment #6

Protects the rights of people accused of crimes:

• Speedy and public trial

• A fair and local jury

• The accused must know their charges

• The accused get a chance to face and confront witnesses who oppose them

• The accused can force helpful witnesses to testify in court

• The right to a lawyer

  • The state will provide a lawyer if the accused can’t afford one

amendment #7

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in federal civil court cases (noncriminal lawsuits over money or property) when the amount is over $20

• Also stops judge from throwing out the jury’s decision on the facts of the case

amendment #8

• No excessive bail or fines

• No cruel and unusual punishments

amendment #9

People keep other rights even if they’re not listed in the constitution

amendment #10

Any power not specifically given to the federal government in the constitution belongs to the states or to the people

amendment #11

Protects a state government from being sued in federal court by people who live in another state or a foreign country

amendment #12

Changed the way electoral college elects the president and vice president

• Electors vote on separate ballots for president and vice president

• Runner up president DOES NOT automatically become vice president

• Breaking the tie for president

  • House of representatives chooses from the top 3 candidates

• Breaking the tie for vice president

  • Senate chooses from top 2 candidates

amendment #13

Officially ended slavery and forced labor in the United States (with the exception of forced labor as a punishment for a convicted crime)

amendment #14

• Protects birthright citizenship (if you were born here, you’re a citizen)

• equal protection under the law for everyone

• fair legal procedures

amenment #15

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied by race or color.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

amendment #16

The Congress has the power to collect income taxes.

amendment #17

Established direct popular voting to elect Senators

amendment #18

Prohibition

• Replaced by the 21st amendment due to

• The Importation and Exportation