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Most Important Amendments to Know for AP Government and Politics
The Bill of Rights (1791)
First Amendment
Protection of basic freedoms
Freedoms: Speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.
Key Clauses: Establishment Clause (no official religion), Free Exercise Clause (practice religion freely).
Mnemonic: RAPPS – Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, Speech.
Second Amendment
Right to bear arms.
Mnemonic: 2 arms = 2nd Amendment.
Third Amendment
No quartering of soldiers in private homes.
Fourth Amendment
No unreasonable searches or seizures; warrants are required.
Mnemonic: What are you searching 4?
Fifth Amendment
Protections: No double jeopardy, no self-incrimination, due process, property rights.
Mnemonic: I plead the 5th!
Sixth Amendment
Rights of the accused: Speedy trial, jury of peers, right to attorney.
Seventh Amendment
Right to jury trial in civil cases.
Eighth Amendment
No excessive bail, no cruel or unusual punishment.
Ninth Amendment
People retain rights not listed in the Constitution.
Mnemonic: 9 = Mine!
Tenth Amendment
Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.
Other Key Amendments
Eleventh Amendment (1798)
Restricts lawsuits against states in federal court.
Mnemonic: 1 state sue 1 state = 11.
Twelfth Amendment (1804)
Separate electoral ballots for President and Vice President.
Thirteenth Amendment (1865)
Abolished slavery.
Fourteenth Amendment (1868)
Citizenship for all born or naturalized in the U.S.; due process and equal protection clauses.
Fifteenth Amendment (1870)
Right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.
Sixteenth Amendment (1913)
Income tax established.
Seventeenth Amendment (1913)
Direct election of U.S. Senators by citizens.
Eighteenth Amendment (1919)
Prohibition of alcohol.
Mnemonic: 18 = Can't drink (prohibition).
Nineteenth Amendment (1920)
Women's suffrage (right to vote).
Mnemonic: 19 = Women's 1st vote!
Twentieth Amendment (1933)
Moved presidential inauguration to January 20th.
Mnemonic: 20 = Jan. 20th start date.
Twenty-First Amendment (1933)
Repealed prohibition (18th Amendment).
Mnemonic: 21 = Legal drinking age = alcohol is back!
Twenty-Second Amendment (1951)
Presidential term limits (two terms).
Mnemonic: 22 = Two terms.
Twenty-Third Amendment (1961)
D.C. residents can vote for President.
Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964)
No poll taxes for voting.
Twenty-Fifth Amendment (1967)
Established presidential succession and VP replacement.
Twenty-Sixth Amendment (1971)
Voting age lowered to 18.
Mnemonic: 2 + 6 = 8-teen votes.
Twenty-Seventh Amendment (1992)
No congressional pay raises during the current term.
Most Important Amendments to Know for AP Government and Politics
The Bill of Rights (1791)
First Amendment
Protection of basic freedoms
Freedoms: Speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.
Key Clauses: Establishment Clause (no official religion), Free Exercise Clause (practice religion freely).
Mnemonic: RAPPS – Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, Speech.
Second Amendment
Right to bear arms.
Mnemonic: 2 arms = 2nd Amendment.
Third Amendment
No quartering of soldiers in private homes.
Fourth Amendment
No unreasonable searches or seizures; warrants are required.
Mnemonic: What are you searching 4?
Fifth Amendment
Protections: No double jeopardy, no self-incrimination, due process, property rights.
Mnemonic: I plead the 5th!
Sixth Amendment
Rights of the accused: Speedy trial, jury of peers, right to attorney.
Seventh Amendment
Right to jury trial in civil cases.
Eighth Amendment
No excessive bail, no cruel or unusual punishment.
Ninth Amendment
People retain rights not listed in the Constitution.
Mnemonic: 9 = Mine!
Tenth Amendment
Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.
Other Key Amendments
Eleventh Amendment (1798)
Restricts lawsuits against states in federal court.
Mnemonic: 1 state sue 1 state = 11.
Twelfth Amendment (1804)
Separate electoral ballots for President and Vice President.
Thirteenth Amendment (1865)
Abolished slavery.
Fourteenth Amendment (1868)
Citizenship for all born or naturalized in the U.S.; due process and equal protection clauses.
Fifteenth Amendment (1870)
Right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.
Sixteenth Amendment (1913)
Income tax established.
Seventeenth Amendment (1913)
Direct election of U.S. Senators by citizens.
Eighteenth Amendment (1919)
Prohibition of alcohol.
Mnemonic: 18 = Can't drink (prohibition).
Nineteenth Amendment (1920)
Women's suffrage (right to vote).
Mnemonic: 19 = Women's 1st vote!
Twentieth Amendment (1933)
Moved presidential inauguration to January 20th.
Mnemonic: 20 = Jan. 20th start date.
Twenty-First Amendment (1933)
Repealed prohibition (18th Amendment).
Mnemonic: 21 = Legal drinking age = alcohol is back!
Twenty-Second Amendment (1951)
Presidential term limits (two terms).
Mnemonic: 22 = Two terms.
Twenty-Third Amendment (1961)
D.C. residents can vote for President.
Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964)
No poll taxes for voting.
Twenty-Fifth Amendment (1967)
Established presidential succession and VP replacement.
Twenty-Sixth Amendment (1971)
Voting age lowered to 18.
Mnemonic: 2 + 6 = 8-teen votes.
Twenty-Seventh Amendment (1992)
No congressional pay raises during the current term.
