Comprehensive Guide to Constitutional Amendments
Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10)
1st Amendment: Guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly.
2nd Amendment: Protects the right to bare arms.
3rd Amendment: Limits the quartering of troops.
4th Amendment: Limits searches and seizures.
5th Amendment: Secures the right against self-incrimination.
6th Amendment: Guarantees the right to a fair and speedy trial.
7th Amendment: Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases.
8th Amendment: Prohibits unfair bail, fines, and punishment.
9th Amendment: Establishes that citizens are entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution.
10th Amendment: Dictates that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the state or the people.
Early Federal and Civil War Era Amendments (Amendments 11–15)
11th Amendment: Outlines how states can sue each other.
12th Amendment: Establishes a new way of electing the President and Vice President.
13th Amendment: Abolishes slavery.
14th Amendment: Guarantees citizenship for African Americans.
15th Amendment: Gave African American men the right to vote.
Progressive Era and Interwar Amendments (Amendments 16–21)
16th Amendment: Establishes the power of the federal government to collect income taxes.
17th Amendment: Mandates that senators are elected by the people.
18th Amendment: Establishes prohibition.
19th Amendment: Gives women the right to vote.
20th Amendment: Establishes that the President takes office on January 20th.
21st Amendment: Repeals prohibition.
Modern Governance and Voting Rights Amendments (Amendments 22–27)
22nd Amendment: Limits the President to two terms.
23rd Amendment: Ensures residents of the District of Columbia can vote.
24th Amendment: Abolishes poll tax.
25th Amendment: Outlines rules for Presidential succession.
26th Amendment: Sets voting age at 18 years.
27th Amendment: Limits the power of Congress to increase its own salaries.