AP GOV Constitutional Amendments #1-27

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms would not be infringed (violated)

3rd Amendment

No soldier in time of peace shall be quartered in a private citizen’s home without the homeowner’s consent

4th Amendment

People and their personal property cannot be searched without a warrant, issued by a judge

5th Amendment

Due process; no double jeopardy; no self-incrimination; eminent domain

6th Amendment

Guarantee of a speedy trial; guarantee of a public trial; the right to confront witnesses; the right to have legal counsel (an attorney); impartial jury of your peers

7th Amendment

In civil suit (lawsuit between two persons of groups), the defendant has the right to a trial by jury if the amount in question is over twenty dollars

8th Amendment

No excessive bail; no cruel and unusual punishment shall by used against a convicted criminal

9th Amendment

Powers that are not specifically granted to the national government are to be retained by the people

10th Amendment

Powers that are not specifically granted to the national government are to be retained by the states

11th Amendment (1795)

A citizen from one state cannot sue a citizen in another state in a federal court

12th Amendment (1804)

Electors will vote for President and Vice President on separate bills

13th Amendment (1865)

Slavery was abolished

14th Amendment (1868)

Granted citizenship rights to former slaves; due process clause; equal protection clause; incorporation

15th Amendment (1870)

African American males were guaranteed the right to vote

16th Amendment (1913)

Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes

17th Amendment (1913)

Senators elected directly by people of each state

18th Amendment (1919)

The manufacture, transportation, or sale of alcoholic beverages was prohibited (18)

19th Amendment (1920)

The right to vote cannot be denied because of a person’s gender

20th Amendment (1933)

Shortened the period of time between federal elections and the day that officials were sworn into office

21st Amendment (1933)

Repealed a previously-ratified amendment; the Prohibition Era in America was over

22nd Amendment (1951)

President of the U.S. now limited to serving no more than two full terms in office

23rd Amendment (1961)

People who live in Washington, D.C. are allowed to vote for President and granted three electoral votes

24th Amendment (1964)

People cannot be denied the right to vote in federal elections because they had not paid a tax on voting

25th Amendment (1967)

Established procedures to follow in the case of a presidential death and/or disability

26th Amendment (1971)

18-year-olds granted the right to vote

27th Amendment (1992)

Congress may pass a law increasing members’ salaries, but cannot collect it until after there has been a federal election