american history - amendments

1st amendment

we have freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly

2nd amendment

right to bear arms (right of gun ownership)

3rd amendment

not required to house soldiers

4th amendment

need a search warrant to look for evidence of a crime

5th amendment

right to own property

6th amendment

right to a jury and a lawyer

7th amendment

right to a jury if you are being sued for money

8th amendment

ban on a cruel and unusual punishments

9th amendment

any rights not listed are still protected

10th amendment

any powers not specified in the constitution are automatically reserved powers (states only)

11th amendment

U.S. citizens cannot use the federal government to sue state governments

12th amendment

gets rid of the rule where the Vice-President is a runner-up and you would have to elect both the president AND vice-president

13th amendment

slavery is illegal in the U.S.

14th amendment

defines citizenship as including anyone who is born or naturalized in the country regardless of race and it prevents states or the federal government from denying the right to citizenship without a process of law

15th amendment

prohibits states and the federal government from denying somebody the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

16th amendment

allowed Congress to tax one’s income

17th amendment

requires a direct election of senators

18th amendment

ban on the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol

19th amendment

guarantee the right to vote for women

20th amendment

allows the vice-president-elect to act in that role until a new one can be appointed

21st amendment

repealed the 18th amendment

22nd amendment

the president only gets to serve two terms

24th amendment

banned poll taxes