1st Amendment- Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression



1st Amendment- Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Petition, Assembly

The 1st Amendment protects the people's right to practice religion, to speak freely, to assemble (meet), to address the government and of the press to publish. Year Ratified: 1791

2nd Amendment- The Right to Bear Arms

The 2nd Amendment protects the right to own guns. There is debate whether this is a right that protects the state, or a right that protects individuals. Year Ratified: 1791

3rd Amendment- Quartering of Soldiers

The 3rd Amendment guarantees that the army cannot force homeowners to give them room and board (food). Year Ratified: 1791

4th Amendment- Search and Seizure

The 4th Amendment protects the people from the government improperly taking property, papers, or people, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason). Year Ratified: 1791

5th Amendment- Rights of the Accused Person (pleading the 5th)

The 5th Amendment protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted, that they may not be tried twice for the same crime (Double Jeopardy) , that you need not be forced to testify against yourself, and from property being taken without just compensation. It also contains due process guarantees. Year Ratified: 1791

6th Amendment – Right to a Speedy, Public Trial

The 6th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial, an impartial jury, that the accused can confront witnesses against them, and that the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer. Year Ratified: 1791

7th Amendment- Trial by Jury

The 7th Amendment guarantees your right to have a jury of your peers at your trial. Year Ratified: 1791

8th Amendment- Limits of Fines and Punishments (Cruel and Unusual Punishment)

The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair, and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set. The punishment will fit the crime! Year Ratified: 1791

9th Amendment- Rights of the People

The 9th Amendment is simply a statement that other rights aside from those listed may exist, and just because they are not listed doesn't mean they can be violated. Year Ratified: 1791

10th Amendment- Powers of the States and the Peoples

The 10th Amendment is the subject of some debate, but essentially it states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people. Year Ratified: 1791

11th Amendment- Judicial Limits

The 11th Amendment states that Federal Courts hear suits regarding citizens in one state trying to sue another. Year Ratified :1785

12th Amendment- Choosing the President

The 12th Amendment established the current rules for the Electoral College. It also redefines how the President and Vice-President are chosen by the Electoral College, making the two positions cooperative, rather than first and second highest vote-getters. Year Ratified: 1804

13th Amendment- Slavery Abolished

The 13th Amendment abolished (got rid of) slavery in the entire United States. It was passed as result of the Civil War. Year Ratified: 1865

14th Amendment- Civil Rights for All (Equal Protection under the Law, Freedom from Discrimination, and Right to Personal Liberty)

The 14th Amendment ensured that all citizens of all states enjoyed not only rights on the federal level, but on the state level, too, regardless of race, color, or religion. All laws must apply to all people equally. It was passed as result of the Civil War. Year Ratified: 1868

15th Amendment- All Male Citizens, Regardless of Race, Can Vote

The 15th Amendment ensures that race cannot be used as a criteria for voting. It was passed as result of the Civil War. Year Ratified: 1870

16th Amendment- Income Tax

The 16th Amendment authorizes the United States to collect income tax without regard to the population of the states. You cannot refuse to pay your taxes because the government has the right to tax your income. Year Ratified: 1909

17th Amendment- Senators Elected by Popular Vote

The 17th Amendment changed how Senators are elected. State legislatures used to decide and now the people of the states vote by popular election. Year Ratified: 1913

18th Amendment- Prohibition (Illegal to Buy or Sell Alcohol)

The 18th Amendment abolished the sale or manufacture of alcohol in the United States. This amendment was later repealed (erased). NO MORE ALCOHOL! Year Ratified:1919

19th Amendment- Women’s Suffrage (Right to Vote)

The 19th Amendment ensures that gender cannot be used as criteria for voting. Yay! Women can vote! Year Ratified: 1920

20th Amendment- Presidential Terms

The 20th Amendment sets the date a new President and Vice President take Office- January 20th of the year following the election. Year Ratified: 1933

21st Amendment- Prohibition Repealed

The 21st Amendment repealed (or overturned) the 18th Amendment. Alcohol is back! Year Ratified: 1933

22nd Amendment- Presidential Term Limits

The 22nd Amendment set a limit on the number of times a President could be elected - two four-year terms. Year Ratified: 1951

23rd Amendment- District of Columbia Voting

The 23rd Amendment grants the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) the right to three electors in Presidential elections. Year Ratified: 1961

24th Amendment- Poll Tax Barred

The 24th Amendment prohibits the practice of paying to vote. Year Ratified: 1964

25th Amendment- Succession of the President

The 25th Amendment clarifies even further the line of succession to the Presidency, and establishes rules for a President who becomes unable to perform his duties while in office. Year Ratified: 1967

26th Amendment- Voting Age 18 Years

The 26th Amendment ensures that any person 18 or over may vote. The voting age used to be 21. This was passed during the Vietnam War where many 18 year olds were being drafted to serve in the Military. Many thought that if you can die for your country, you should be able to vote for it too. Year Ratified: 1971

27th Amendment- Limits Congressional Pay Increases

The 27th Amendment requires that any law that increased the pay of legislators may not take effect until after an election. Year Ratified: 1992

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