Constitutional Amendments

Question 1

1st

Answer 1

Protects freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the right to petition the government.

Contains two provisions re: religion:

1. Establishment Clause
2. Free Exercise Clause

Question 2

2nd

Answer 2

Protects the right to keep and bear arms

Question 3

3rd

Answer 3

Citizens cannot be forced to quarter soldiers during times of peace.

Question 4

4th

Answer 4

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause.

Question 5

5th

Answer 5

The Fifth Amendment creates a number of rights relevant to both criminal and civil legal proceedings.

1. guarantees right to grand jury,
2. forbids double jeopardy,
3. protects against self-incrimination,
4. and holds the federal government shall not deprive anyone of ”life, liberty or property without due process of law.

The 14th amendment has similar language regarding due process, requiring the same of the states.

Question 6

6th

Answer 6

The 6th amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including:

1. right to speedy trial,
2. right to a lawyer,
3. right to an impartial jury, and
4. right to confront your accusers and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.

Question 7

7th

Answer 7

Provides for the right to a jury trial in civil lawsuits

Question 8

8th

Answer 8

Prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment

Question 9

9th

Answer 9

States that rights not enumerated in the Constitution are retained by the people

Question 10

10th

Answer 10

States that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated, or enumerated, to it through the Constitution, and that all other powers are reserved to the States, or to the people.

Question 11

11th

Answer 11

Restricts the ability of individuals from bringing suit against the states in federal court, and lays the foundation for state sovereign immunity.

Question 12

12th

Answer 12

Revises presidential election procedures by having the president and vice president elected together as opposed to the vice president being the runner up in the presidential election

Question 13

13th

Answer 13

Abolishes slavery, and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime

Question 14

14th

Answer 14

Addresses many aspects of citizenship and the rights of citizens post–Civil War:

1. Defines citizenship (nullifies Dredd Scott),
2. contains the Privileges or Immunities Clause,
3. the Due Process Clause,
4. and the Equal Protection Clause.

Question 15

15th

Answer 15

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude

Question 16

16th

Answer 16

Permits Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the various states or basing it on the United States Census

Question 17

17th

Answer 17

Establishes the direct election of United States senators by popular vote

Question 18

18th

Answer 18

Prohibited the manufacturing or sale of alcohol within the United States (Repealed via the 21st Amendment)

Question 19

19th

Answer 19

Grants women the right to vote

Question 20

20th

Answer 20

Also known as the “lame duck amendment,” establishes date of term starts for Congress (January 3) & the President (January 20).

Question 21

21st

Answer 21

Details the repeal of the 18th Amendment. State laws over alcohol are to remain.

Question 22

22nd

Answer 22

Limit the terms that an individual can be elected as president (at most two terms).

Question 23

23rd

Answer 23

Grants the District of Columbia electors in the Electoral College

Question 24

24th

Answer 24

Citizens cannot be denied voting rights for not paying a poll tax or any other taxes.

Question 25

25th

Answer 25

Establishes the procedures for a successor of a President.

Question 26

26th

Answer 26

Reserves the right for citizens 18 and older to vote.

Question 27

27th

Answer 27

Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives