ALL Amendments to the Constitution AP Gov

Brief descriptions of all 27 amendments

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, religion (establishment and free exercise), press, assembly, and petition

2nd Amendment

The right to own and bear arms

3rd Amendment

Quartering of soldiers

4th Amendment

Protection of citizens against illegal search and seizure of private property

5th Amendment

Freedom from self-incrimination, double Jeopardy, right to due process

6th Amendment

Criminal trials: right to a speedy trial with witnesses, right to a lawyer

7th Amendment

Right to a trial by jury in a civil case

8th Amendment

Protection against excessive fines, cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Constitution is not an exclusive list of rights

10th Amendment

States retain all privileges not given to the Federal government

11th Amendment

(1798) Interprets judicial powers

12th Amendment

Sets guidelines for electing the President and Vice President

13th Amendment

(1865) Abolishes the practice of slavery

14th Amendment

(1868) Defines citizenship and limits states from violating the equal protection of all citizens. Source for selective incorporation.

15th Amendment

(1870) Prohibits limiting the right to vote based on race

16th Amendment

(1913) Authorizes the collection of federal income tax

17th Amendment

(1913) Provides for the election of Senators by direct popular vote

18th Amendment

(1919) Prohibits the manufacture, sale, or transportation of liquor

19th Amendment

(1920) Gives women the right to vote

20th Amendment

(1933) Changed inauguration day from March to January (shortened lame duck period)

21st Amendment

(1933) Repealed the 18th Amendment (prohibition)

22nd Amendment

(1951) Limits the President to 2 terms or 10 years

23rd Amendment

(1961) Grants Presidential voting rights to the District of Columbia

24th Amendment

(1964) Bars poll tax in federal elections

25th Amendment

(1967) Provides for Presidential disability and succession

26th Amendment

(1971) Lowers the legal voting age to 18

27th Amendment

(1992) Congressional pay raises take effect only after next election