United States Amendments 1-27
Amendment I – Freedom of Religion, Speech and the Press; Rights of Assembly and Petition.
Amendment II - Right to Bear Arms The amendment was adopted so that Congress could not disarm a state militia.
Amendment III – Housing of Soldiers Grew directly out of an old complaint against the British, who had forced people to take soldiers into their homes.
Amendment IV – Search and Seizure You may not be searched or have property seized without probable cause and/or a search warrant.
Amendment V - Rights of the accused (Self-incrimination, Double Jeopardy, Due Process, Just Compensation)
Amendment VI- Rights to a Fair Trial (Speedy and Public Trial by Jury*, Tried in state where crime was committed, Informed of charges against accused, Witnesses, Right to a lawyer)
Amendment VII- Rights in Civil Cases (Trial by jury in civil cases over $20)
Amendment VIII – Cruel and Unusual Punishment Bails, fines and punishments must be humane and fit the crime committed
Amendment IX – Rights Retained by the People Any rights not listed in the Constitution are still protected
Amendment X – Powers Retained by the States and the People States or people have all powers not given to national government. (ie: marriage)
Amendment XI – Lawsuits Against States It is impossible for the citizen of one state to sue another state. (So, Salem can’t sue Iowa)
Amendment XII – Election of President and Vice President (1804) Provides that members of the electoral college (called electors), vote for one person as president and one person as vice president.
Amendment XIII – Abolition of Slavery
1st CIVIL WAR AMENDMENT - Slavery is illegal
Amendment XIV- Civil Rights
2nd CIVIL WAR AMENDMENT - Slaves recieve Citizenship and protection of due processAmendment XV – African American Suffrage
3rd CIVIL WAR AMENDMENT - African Americans recieve the right to vote...note that there is no mention of gender...
Amendment XVI – Income Taxes Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes
Amendment XVII- Direct Election of Senators The states have the power to directly elect senators to represent them. (before this, the state legislature decided who the senators were)
Amendment XVIII- Prohibition of Liquor (1919) Forbade people