Constitutional Amendments

Question 1

First Amendment (all 5 things)

Answer 1

rights to freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition

Question 2

Second Amendment

Answer 2

right to keep and bear arms (guns)

Question 3

Third Amendment

Answer 3

In time of peace, no soldier can reside in someone’s house without the owner’s permission, and during war, there must be regulations

Question 4

Fourth Amendment

Answer 4

prevents unreasonable searches and seizures, sets grounds for warrants to do so

Question 5

Fifth Amendment

(4 things)

Answer 5

protects against self incrimination, double jeopardy at same level of law, right to jury, and right for ‘due process’ of law (established principles) that denies citizen “life, liberty, or property”

Question 6

Sixth Amendment

5 things

Answer 6

right to trial by impartial jury, proven beyond a reasonable doubt, right to speedy public trial, right to lawyer, and right to know charges accusers and evidence against you

Question 7

Seventh Amendment

Answer 7

distinguishes which cases must be tried by a jury and which can have a judge alone

NOTE: only applies at federal courts, not state

Question 8

Eighth Amendment

Answer 8

prevents excessive bail/fines, and prevent cruel and unusual punishments for crimes

Question 9

Ninth Amendment

Answer 9

rights not explicitly stated in the constitution are still retained by the people

Question 10

Tenth Amendment

Answer 10

any powers not given to federal government or prohibited from states, belongs to states/people

Question 11

Eleventh Amendment

Answer 11

prohibits federal courts from hearing certain lawsuits against states, state courts don’t have to hear certain suits against the state

Question 12

Twelfth Amendment

Answer 12

each elector must cast distinct votes for president and Vice President (changed P/VP process from articles)

Question 13

Thirteenth Amendment

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Fourteenth Amendment (and clause)

Answer 14

states can’t make laws that abridges privileges of US citizens, people born in US are citizens,

equal protection clause - everyone has equal protection under the law, huge for Civil Rights cases

Question 15

Fifteenth Amendment

Answer 15

race, color, or previous servitude can’t prohibit right to vote (doesn’t include women)

Question 16

Sixteenth Amendment

Answer 16

right for Congress to issue income taxes without considering population

Question 17

Seventeenth Amendment

Answer 17

senators are elected by direct election from the people in their respective state

Question 18

Eighteenth Amendment

Answer 18

establishes prohibition of alcohol

Question 19

Nineteenth Amendment

Answer 19

gives women the right to vote

Question 20

Twentieth Amendment

Answer 20

moved beginning/ending terms of president, Vice President, and Congress from March to Jan

Question 21

Twenty-First Amendment

Answer 21

repeals 18th amendment (alcohol legal again)

Question 22

Twenty-Second Amendment

Answer 22

no person can be president more than twice, and people serving at least 2 yrs of a dead P’s terms can only be president once

Question 23

Twenty-Third Amendment

Answer 23

District of Colombia (DC) can participate in presidential elections

Question 24

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Answer 24

abolishes poll taxes for federal elections (fed/state gov can’t have them)

Question 25

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Answer 25

Vice President will succeed president if he dies (also establishes line of succession beyond VP)

Question 26

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Answer 26

allows people 18 or older to vote in elections

Question 27

Twenty-Seventh Amendment

Answer 27

any law increasing/decreasing Congress’ salaries only take effect after next HoR election