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1st Amendment
An amendment to the United States Constitution guaranteeing the rights of free expression and action that are fundamental to democratic government. These rights include freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. -
2nd Amendment
The right to carry and bear arms. -
3rd Amendment
It ensures that the government cannot force citizens to house soldiers in times of peace -
4th Amendment
Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause as determined by a neutral judge or magistrate. -
5th Amendment
Sets out rules for indictment by grand jury and eminent domain, protects the right to due process, and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy -
6th Amendment
Protects the right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, including the rights to be notified of the accusations, to confront the accuser, to obtain witnesses and to retain counsel. -
7th Amendment
Provides for the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases, according to common law. -
8th Amendment
Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment. -
9th Amendment
Protects rights not enumerated in the Constitution. -
10th Amendment
Reinforces the principle of federalism by stating that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated to it by the states or the people through the Constitution. -
11th Amendment
Makes states immune from suits from out-of-state citizens and foreigners not living within the state borders; lays the foundation for sovereign immunity. -
12th Amendment
Revises presidential election procedures by having the President and Vice President elected together as opposed to the Vice President being the runner up. -
13th Amendment
Abolishes slavery, and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. -
14th Amendment
Defines citizenship, contains the Privileges or Immunities Clause, the Due Process Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, and deals with post–Civil War issues. -
15th Amendment
Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude -
16th Amendment
Permits Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the United States Census. -
17th Amendment
Establishes the direct election of United States Senators by popular vote. -
18th Amendement
Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol within the United States. -
19th Amendment
Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on sex. -
20th Amendment
Changes the date on which the terms of the President and Vice President (January 20) and Senators and Representatives (January 3) end and begin. -
21st Amendment
Repeals the 18th Amendment and makes it a federal offense to transport or import intoxicating liquors into US states and territories where such transport or importation is prohibited by the laws of those states and territories. -
22nd Amendment
Limits the number of times that a person can be elected president: a person cannot be elected president more than twice, and a person who has served more than two years of a term to which someone else was elected cannot be elected more than once. -
23rd Amendment
Grants the District of Columbia electors (the number of electors being equal to the least populous state) in the Electoral College. -
24th Amendment
Prohibits the revocation of voting rights due to the non-payment of a poll tax or any other tax. -
25th Amendment
Addresses succession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities. -
26th Amendment
Prohibits the denial of the right of US citizens, eighteen years of age or older, to vote on account of age. -
27th Amendment
Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives.
