apush amendments

1st Amendment (1791):

Guarantees the right to the freedoms of speech, press, and religion. Protects the right to petition the government.

2nd Amendment (1791):

Guarantees the people's right to own and bear arms for their defense.

3rd Amendment (1791):

Citizens cannot be forced to quarter soldiers during times of peace.

4th Amendment (1791):

Citizens cannot be forced to subject themselves to seizure and search without a search warrant and probable cause.

5th Amendment (1791, grand jury, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, due process, eminent domain):

Grand Jury: Requires indictment by a grand jury for serious federal crimes

Double Jeopardy: Prevents being tried twice for the same crime

Self-incrimination: Protects against being forced to testify against oneself (“pleading the fifth”)

Due Process: Guarantees fair legal procedures by the federal government (Due Process Clause)

Eminent Domain: Requires fair compensation if the government takes private property for public use

6th Amendment (1791, speedy & public trial, impartial jury, informed accusation, counsel, witnesses):

Speedy & Public Trial: Right to a quick, open trial

Impartial Jury: Trial by a jury of peers in the district where the crime occurred

Informed Accusation: Right to know the charges and accusers

Counsel: Right to an attorney (lawyer)

Witnesses: Right to confront witnesses and call your own witnesses

7th Amendment (1791):

Reserves individuals' rights to jury trial depending on the civil case, and cases already examined by not be re-opened by another court.

8th Amendment (1791):

Forbids exorbitant bails and fines and punishment that is unusual or cruel.

9th Amendment (1791):

Reserves the rights of citizens which are not specifically mentioned by the U.S. Constitution.

10th Amendment (1791):

Reserves powers that are not given to the U.S. government under the Constitution, nor prohibited to a State of the U.S., to the people and the States.

11th Amendment (1795):

State sovereign immunity. States are protected from suits by citizens living in another state or foreigners that do not reside within the state borders. Ratified: Feb. 7, 1795

12th Amendment (1804):

Modifies and clarifies the procedure for electing vice-presidents and presidents.

13th Amendment (1865):

Except as punishment for criminal offense, forbids forced-slavery and involuntary servitude.

14th Amendment (1868, Citizenship Clause, Privileges or Immunities Clause, Due Process Clause, Equal Protection Clause, Enforcement Clause):

Citizenship Clause: Defines US citizenship as being “born and naturalized in the United States”
Privileges or Immunities Clause: Prohibits states from abridging the rights of US citizens

Due Process Clause: Mandates that states cannot deprive any person of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”

Equal Protection Clause: Requires states to provide “equal protection of the laws” to all people within their jurisdiction

Enforcement Clause: Grants Congress the power to pass laws to enforce the amendment

15th Amendment (1870):

Reserves citizens the suffrage rights regardless of their race, color, or previous slave status.

16th Amendment (1913):

Reserves the U.S. government the right to tax income.

17th Amendment (1913):

Establishes popular voting as the process under which senators are elected.

18th Amendment (1919):

Denies the sale and consumption of alcohol.

19th Amendment (1920):

Reserves women's suffrage rights.

20th Amendment (1933):

Also known as the "lame duck amendment," establishes date of term starts for Congress (January 3) & the President (January 20).

21st Amendment (1933):

Details the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment. State laws over alcohol are to remain.

22nd Amendment (1951):

Limit the terms that an individual can be elected as president (at most two terms). Individuals who have served over two years of someone else's term may not be elected more than once.

23rd Amendment (1961):

Reserves the right of citizens residing in the District of Columbia to vote for their own Electors for presidential elections.

24th Amendment (1964):

Citizens cannot be denied the suffrage rights for not paying a poll tax or any other taxes.

25th Amendment (1967):

• Section 1: Presidential Vacancy: If the President is removed, dies, or resigns, the Vice President becomes President.

• Section 2: Vice Presidential Vacancy: If the VP office is vacant, the President nominates a replacement, who must be confirmed by a majority vote in Congress.

• Section 3: Voluntary Transfer of Power: A President can temporarily step down by declaring in writing they are unable to perform duties; the VP acts as President until the President sends a written notice of return.

• Section 4: Involuntary Transfer of Power: If the VP and a majority of the Cabinet declare the President unable to serve, the VP becomes Acting President. The President can reclaim power, but Congress can intervene with a two-thirds vote in both chambers if they disagree, making the VP continue as Acting President

26th Amendment (1971):

Reserves the right for citizens 18 and older to vote.

27th Amendment (1992):

any law changing the salaries of Senators and Representatives cannot take effect until after the next congressional election, preventing immediate pay raises and giving voters a chance to weigh in