Amendments are changes to the U



Amendments are changes to the U.S. Constitution. As of today, there are 27 Amendments.

1st – 10th Amendments: Bill of Rights

1st: Five freedoms protected – freedom of religion, assembly, press, petition, and speech

2nd: Right to keep and bear arms (weapons)

3rd: No quartering of troops during peacetime (to refuse to let soldiers stay in your home

unless required by law)

4th: To be secure against “unreasonable” search and seizures (search warrant needed)

5th: To be prosecuted for a capital or “infamous” crime only when indicted (charged) by

a Grand Jury; to not be tried for the same crime twice if found not guilty (double

jeopardy); no self-incrimination (pleading the 5th); to not have the government

remove you “life, liberty, or property without due process of law”; and to not have

the government take your personal property for public use without compensation

(eminent domain)

6th: Right to a speedy and public trial; to have an “impartial jury” from the state where

the state where the crime was committed; to know charges brought against you;

to confront witnesses speaking against you; to compel a witness to speak on your

behalf; and to have an attorney representing you

7th: To have a trial by jury in most civil cases (involves $20 or more)

8th: Protection against cruel and unusual punishment; no excessive bail (sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure an accused person returns for their trial)

or fines

9th: Basic rights not listed in the Constitution are still guaranteed to the people.

10th: Powers reserved for the states (“Reserved Powers”)

11th: Lawsuits against states (states cannot sue other states in federal courts)

12th: Election of President and Vice-President (members of the Electoral College cast

separate ballots for the President and Vice-President

13th: Abolition of slavery (slavery banned)

14th: Provided due process and equal protection under the law to citizens, who are all persons “born or naturalized in the U.S.” (no one can be denied citizenship based on race, gender, ethnicity, etc.)

15th: Prohibits the federal and state governments from denying individuals the right to

vote based on race, color, or prior servitude

16th: Income tax established

17th: Direct election of Senators

18th: Prohibition (banned the manufacturing and selling of alcohol)

19th: Women suffrage (right to vote)

20th: Lame-Duck Amendment (changes conditions of presidential and congressional

terms)

21st: Repeal of Prohibition (18th is the only Amendment repealed)

22nd: The President cannot serve more than two terms

23rd: Gives presidential electors to the District of Columbia

24th: Poll taxes abolished (paying a fee to vote)

25th: Presidential disability and succession

26th: Lowered the voting age to 18.

27th: Limits congressional pay raises

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