Amendments

The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10)
These first ten amendments guarantee basic personal freedoms and limits on government power.
• 1st Amendment: Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to ask the government for change.
• 2nd Amendment: The right to own guns.
• 3rd Amendment: The government cannot force you to house soldiers in your home.
• 4th Amendment: Protection from unfair police searches or taking of your property without a good reason.
• 5th Amendment: Rights for people accused of crimes, including the right to remain silent (not testify against yourself) and protection from being tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy).
• 6th Amendment: The right to a fast, public, and fair trial with a jury and a lawyer.
• 7th Amendment: The right to a jury trial in civil money or property disputes.
• 8th Amendment: No extreme bail, heavy fines, or cruel and unusual punishments.
• 9th Amendment: People have more rights than just the ones listed here.
• 10th Amendment: Any power not given to the federal government belongs to the states or the people.

Structural and Election Rules (Amendments 11–12)
• 11th Amendment: Limits the ability of citizens to sue state governments in federal court.
• 12th Amendment: Creates separate ballots for choosing the President and Vice President.

The Civil War & Reconstruction (Amendments 13–15)
• 13th Amendment: Abolishes slavery and forced labor, except as a criminal punishment.
• 14th Amendment: Grants citizenship to everyone born in the U.S. and guarantees equal protection under the law.
• 15th Amendment: Protects the right to vote regardless of race or color.

Progressive Era (Amendments 16–19)
• 16th Amendment: Allows the federal government to collect income tax.
• 17th Amendment: Citizens vote directly to elect U.S. Senators.
• 18th Amendment: Bans making, selling, or transporting alcohol (Prohibition).
• 19th Amendment: Gives women the right to vote.

Modern & Recent Changes (Amendments 20–27)
• 20th Amendment: Changes the exact dates when the President, Vice President, and Congress take office.
• 21st Amendment: Cancels the 18th Amendment, making alcohol legal again.
• 22nd Amendment: Limits a President to serving two terms.
• 23rd Amendment: Gives people living in Washington, D.C., the right to vote for President.
• 24th Amendment: Bans charging money (poll taxes) to vote in federal elections.
• 25th Amendment: Explains who takes over if the President dies, resigns, or is unable to do the job.
• 26th Amendment: Lowers the national voting age to 18.
• 27th Amendment: Stops Congress from raising its own pay until after an election happens.