27 Amendments Flashcards
Freedom of expression, religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
1st Amendment
Protects the rights of individual citizens to keep and bear arms. Establishes a militia that is necessary for a free state
2nd Amendment
Prohibits soldiers from temporarily residing (quartering) in private homes during peacetime without getting permission and consent of the owners
3rd Amendment
Protects people’s right to privacy, prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures by the government
4th Amendment
No person tried without the grand jury indictment or punished twice for the same offense. Prohibits being a witness against yourself and guarantees “due process of law”
5th Amendment
Rights of accused in criminal cases including legal representation and a fair and speedy trial
6th Amendment
Guarantees a trial by jury
7th Amendment
Insures punishments for crimes are not excessive, cruel, or unusual
8th Amendment
People retain rights not listed in the Unites States Constitution
9th Amendment
Power not given to the federal government is given to the people or states (very important for state government)
10th Amendment
Individual cannot sue a state in federal courts
11th Amendment
Repeals part of Article 2, Section 1, of the constitution. Electoral College must cast separate ballots for President and Vice President
12th Amendment
Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.
13th Amendment
All persons born or naturalized in the United States enjoy full rights. This was done to protect the rights of freed slaves and minorities after the Civil War, but it applies equality to all Americans. This amendment also made specific rules concerning the southern states after the Civil War
14th Amendment
States cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, creed, or color.
15th Amendment
Establishes congress’s right to impose a federal income tax
16th Amendment
Provides for popular election of United States senators. Repeals part of Article 1, Section 3. In the past, senators were elected by state legislatures
17th Amendment
Prohibition. No alcoholic beverages to be bought or sold in the United States (later to be repealed)
18th Amendment
Woman suffrage. Some states had already given women the right to vote in some elections. This amendment provides all women, who are U.S. citizens, the right to vote in all elections.
19th Amendment
Changed the date the president takes office from March 4th to January 20th (4 year team). It also changed the start of congress to January 3rd and ended the old second session (end of Lame Duck Congress)
20th Amendment
Repealed prohibition and voided the 18th Amendment
21st Amendment
No person should be elected to the office of president more than twice.
22nd Amendment
Gave the residents of Washington, D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections
23rd Amendment
Anti-Poll tax amendment. Forbids taxing voters before they vote in national elections.
24th Amendment
Established the process by which an ailing president may pass the duties of the office to the vice president and fill the vice presidents office, when vacant. Any vacancy in the vice presidency is filled by appointment made by the president, with approval by majority of both houses of congress
25th Amendment
18-year-olds are allowed to vote in federal and state elections
26th Amendment
Prohibits Congress from voting itself mid-term pay raises
27th Amendment