The 27 Amendments
The U.S. Bill of Rights
1st Amendment
Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petition
This means we all have the right too:
To practice any religion we want to/ forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others or restricting an individual’s religious practice
To speak freely
To publish newspaper, TV, radio, Internet (press)
To assemble PEACEFULLY(meet)
To address the government for a redness of grievances (petition)
2nd Amendment
Protects the right to bear arms
This means we have the right to as an American citizen, the right to arm yourself- possess a firearm unconnected with service
This establishes that the government cannot infringe on this right
3rd Amendment
No quartering of Soldiers
This means it forbids the forcible housing of military in a citizen’s home during peacetime and requires the process to be “prescribed by law” in times of war
A reaction to British Soldiers taking colonists’ homes before the constitution.
4th Amendment
Protects the people from unreasonable searches and seizures
The government cannot search your property or take your things without a good reason (probable cause) or a warrant
Warrants are official permission from a judge to search or take property.
5th Amendment
Grand jury: A person cannot be tried for a capital or infamous crime without an indictment from a grand jury, except in certain circumstances.
Due process: The government must follow fair procedures before punishing you
Double Jeopardy: You cannot be tried twice for the same crime.
Self-Incrimination: You do not have to testify against yourself
Eminent Domain: The government can take private property for public use but must pay fair compensation
6th Amendment
Speedy and public trial: Trials should happen quickly and openly, not secretly.
Impartial jury: You are judged by ordinary citizens, not just the government
Know the charges: You must be told what you are accused of.
Confront Witnesses: You can question people who accuse you.
Right to an attorney: You can have a lawyer to defend you, even if the government has to provide one if you can afford it
7th Amendment
In civil cases (disputes between people or companies), you have the right to a trial by jury if the case involves more than a certain amount of money (historically $20)
8th Amendment
Excessive bail: prohibits the setting of excessive bail for criminals
Excessive fines: prohibits the imposition of excessive fines
Cruel and unusual punishments: Prohibits the use of punishments that are considered to be “cruel and unusual”
9th Amendment
All rights not stated in the Constitution AND not forbidden by the Constitution belong to the people
Just because a right isn’t listed in the constitution doesn’t mean you don’t have it
Ex: right to work, home ownership, education
10th Amendment
States that have the federal government only has the powers delegated to it in the Constitution
AND states that any powers not granted to the federal government belongs to THE STATES or to the PEOPLE.
Ex: Driving age, speed limit, marriage
Amendments 11-27
11th Amendment
Estabilishes that states have sovereign immunity, meaning they cannot be sued in federal court by citizens of another state or by foreign states
This prevents federal courts from hearing lawsuits against a state in these specific cases, protecting states from being sued unless they give permission or the federal government grants permission.
It was passed in response to a South Carolina decision that allowed a citizen of one state to sue another state.
12th Amendment
Seperate ballots: Electors must cast separate ballots for President and Vice President.
HOR: If no presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, the HOR chooses the President from the top 3 candidates, with each state casting one vote.
Senate: If no vice-presidental candidate wins a majority, the Senate chooses the VP from the top two candidates
Inhabitant rule: At least 1 of the candidates (President or Vice President) must not be from the same state as the elector)
13th Amendment- Civil war amendment
Ended slavery and slavery as a result of debt
Exception- Prisoners doing manual labor as a part of their sentence
14th Amendment- Civil War amendment
Citizenship Clause: All persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens of the U.S. and of the state where they reside.
Due Process Clause: No state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
Equal Protection Clause: No state can deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
It banned those who “engaged in insurrection” against the U.S. from holding any elected office
15th Amendment- Civil war amendment
Prohibits the federal government and states from denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous servitude
16th Amendment
Allows the federal government to enact a nationwide income tax to all and corporations without regard to the state’s population to pay for government services
17th Amendment
People directly vote for U.S. senators
It also established that in case of a vacancy, a state’s governor can make a temporary appointment until an election can be held.
Prior to this Senators were elected by state legislatures
18th Amendment
Prohibited the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors…”
19th Amendment
Women receive the right to vote
20th Amendment
Sets official start dates for government
President: January 20th
Congress: January 3rd
This prevents long “lame duck” periods.
Nicknamed the Lame Duck Amendment
Provides a line of succession if the president-elect dies before taking office.
21st Amendment
Repealed the 18th Amendment
Now legal to manufacture, sell, and import alcohol
22nd Amendment
Term limits
President may only serve 2 consecutive terms
Result of FDR being elected to 4 terms (although he died during the 4th)
Or 10 years max if they take over mid-term
23rd Amendment
DC gets the right to vote in Presidential elections
It does not grant D.C. statehhood or give its residents representation in Congress
BUT it does provide the district with the same # of presidential electors as the least populous state, which is 3
24th Amendment
Prohibited the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes before a citizen could participate in a federal election
A tax required to vote (predominatly in the South)
Outlawed
A method for trying to prevent African Americans from voting
25th Amendment
Section 1: Presidential Vacany
What it does: states that the VP becomes President if the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office.
Section 2: Vice Presidential Vacancy
What it does: When a vacancy occurs in the office of the VP, the President nominates a new VP.
Confirmation: This nominee must be confirmed by a majority vote in both the HOR and the Senate
Section 3: Voluntary Transfer of Power
What it does: Allows the President to voluntarily declare in writing to Congress that they are unable to perform their duties
How it works: Upon such a declaration, the VP becomes the acting President and assumes the powers/duties. The President regains power when they send a separate declaration that they can return to their duties.
Section 4: Involuntary Transfer of Power
26th Amendment
Lowered the voting age to 18
27th Amendment
Denies any laws that vary the salaries of Congress members until the beginning of the next term of office.
Congress can’t give itself an immediate pay raise. Any raise only takes effect until the next election
The idea behind this amendment is to reduce corruption in the legislative branch by requiring an election before a congressperson’s salary increase takes effect