Constitutional Amendments (1st to 27th)

Vocabulary flashcards defining each of the 27 Amendments to the United States Constitution based on the lecture summary.

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and asking the government for change.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Says the government cannot force people to house soldiers in their homes during peace time.

4th Amendment

Protects people from unfair searches and property seizures without a warrant.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process, a grand jury for major crimes, and protection against double jeopardy or testifying against yourself.

6th Amendment

Guarantees a fast, public, and fair criminal trial with a lawyer and an impartial jury.

7th Amendment

Guarantees a trial by jury in federal civil lawsuits.

8th Amendment

Bans cruel or unusual punishments and excessive bail or fines.

9th Amendment

States that people have other basic rights not explicitly listed in the Constitution.

10th Amendment

Gives any powers not handed to the federal government to the states or the people.

11th Amendment

Limits the ability of citizens to sue states in federal court.

12th Amendment

Changes how the Electoral College votes for the president and vice president.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and forced labor, except as a punishment for a crime.

14th Amendment

Defines U.S. citizenship and guarantees equal protection under the law for everyone.

15th Amendment

Says the right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

16th Amendment

Allows the federal government to collect an income tax.

17th Amendment

Lets citizens vote directly to elect U.S. senators.

18th Amendment

Bans the making, selling, or transporting of alcoholic beverages (Prohibition).

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

20th Amendment

Changes the exact dates when the president, vice president, and members of Congress take office.

21st Amendment

Repeals (cancels) the 18th Amendment, making alcohol legal again.

22nd Amendment

Limits U.S. presidents to a maximum of two terms.

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington, D.C. residents the right to vote in presidential elections (with electoral votes).

24th Amendment

Bans poll taxes that kept poor people from voting.

25th Amendment

Explains how the vice president takes over if the president dies, resigns, or is disabled.

26th Amendment

Lowers the national voting age from 21 to 18.

27th Amendment

Stops members of Congress from giving themselves an immediate pay raise during their current session.