Most Important Amendments to Know for AP Government and Politics

The Bill of Rights (1791)

1. 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.

2. Second Amendment

   • Right to bear arms.

   • Mnemonic: 2 arms = 2nd Amendment.

3. Third Amendment

   • No quartering of soldiers in private homes.

4. Fourth Amendment

   • No unreasonable searches or seizures; warrants are required.

   • Mnemonic: What are you searching 4?

5. Fifth Amendment

   • Protections: No double jeopardy, no self-incrimination, due process, property rights.

   • Mnemonic: I plead the 5th!

6. Sixth Amendment

   • Rights of the accused: Speedy trial, jury of peers, right to attorney.

7. Seventh Amendment

   • Right to jury trial in civil cases.

8. Eighth Amendment

   • No excessive bail, no cruel or unusual punishment.

9. Ninth Amendment

   • People retain rights not listed in the Constitution.

   • Mnemonic: 9 = Mine!

10. Tenth Amendment

    • Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states.

Other Key Amendments

11. Eleventh Amendment (1798)

    • Restricts lawsuits against states in federal court.

    • Mnemonic: 1 state sue 1 state = 11.

12. Twelfth Amendment (1804)

    • Separate electoral ballots for President and Vice President.

13. Thirteenth Amendment (1865)

    • Abolished slavery.

14. Fourteenth Amendment (1868)

    • Citizenship for all born or naturalized in the U.S.; due process and equal protection clauses.

15. Fifteenth Amendment (1870)

    • Right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous servitude.

16. Sixteenth Amendment (1913)

    • Income tax established.

17. Seventeenth Amendment (1913)

    • Direct election of U.S. Senators by citizens.

18. Eighteenth Amendment (1919)

    • Prohibition of alcohol.

    • Mnemonic: 18 = Can't drink (prohibition).

19. Nineteenth Amendment (1920)

    • Women's suffrage (right to vote).

    • Mnemonic: 19 = Women's 1st vote!

20. Twentieth Amendment (1933)

    • Moved presidential inauguration to January 20th.

    • Mnemonic: 20 = Jan. 20th start date.

21. Twenty-First Amendment (1933)

    • Repealed prohibition (18th Amendment).

    • Mnemonic: 21 = Legal drinking age = alcohol is back!

22. Twenty-Second Amendment (1951)

    • Presidential term limits (two terms).

    • Mnemonic: 22 = Two terms.

23. Twenty-Third Amendment (1961)

    • D.C. residents can vote for President.

24. Twenty-Fourth Amendment (1964)

    • No poll taxes for voting.

25. Twenty-Fifth Amendment (1967)

    • Established presidential succession and VP replacement.

26. Twenty-Sixth Amendment (1971)

    • Voting age lowered to 18.

    • Mnemonic: 2 + 6 = 8-teen votes.

27. Twenty-Seventh Amendment (1992)

    • No congressional pay raises during the current term.