The First Amendment:
Protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference, including the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to petition the government and the right to assemble.
Protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference, including the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to petition the government and the right to assemble.
The Second Amendment:
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Basically guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and to have a well regulated militia in order to man tan the security of a free state.
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Basically guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and to have a well regulated militia in order to man tan the security of a free state.
The Third Amendment:
"No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." This means that during a time of peace, the government (or individual soldiers) could not force citizens to house and feed them. It also means that it will not happen during wartime without the consent of the owner, unless there is another law to determine it.
"No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law." This means that during a time of peace, the government (or individual soldiers) could not force citizens to house and feed them. It also means that it will not happen during wartime without the consent of the owner, unless there is another law to determine it.
The Fourth Amendment
This amendment defends people against search and seizure without a warrant. It makes it law to have a warrant in order to conduct a search and seizure:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
This amendment defends people against search and seizure without a warrant. It makes it law to have a warrant in order to conduct a search and seizure:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
The Fifth Amendment:
This amendment created the right of due process, double jeopardy, and protection against self-incrimination:
"nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
This amendment created the right of due process, double jeopardy, and protection against self-incrimination:
"nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
The Sixth Amendment:
This amendment grants citizens the right to a speedy, public trial:
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury"
This amendment grants citizens the right to a speedy, public trial:
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury"
The Seventh Amendment:
The Seventh Amendment affirms the right to trial by jury in civil cases:
"in suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury"
The Seventh Amendment affirms the right to trial by jury in civil cases:
"in suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury"
The Eighth Amendment:
This amendment protects against excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment in order to deter corruptness and abuse by law enforcement or the courts:
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
The Ninth Amendment:
The Ninth amendment maintains that people retain all their rights, and that the government cannot deny rights to the people:
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
The Ninth amendment maintains that people retain all their rights, and that the government cannot deny rights to the people:
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
The Tenth Amendment (Last of the Bill of Rights):
Powers not held by the federal government are withheld for the states, or for the people:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
Powers not held by the federal government are withheld for the states, or for the people:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
The Eleventh Amendment (1795):
States cannot be sued by individuals:
"The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state"
States cannot be sued by individuals:
"The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state"
The Twelfth Amendment (1804):
The Twelfth amendment introduced the Electoral College, which is still used today, but is under debate.
"The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President...etc."
The Twelfth amendment introduced the Electoral College, which is still used today, but is under debate.
"The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President...etc."
The Thirteenth Amendment (1865):
This is the abolition of slavery, part of the famous Emancipation Proclamation:
"SECTION 1.Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
SECTION 2.Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
This is the abolition of slavery, part of the famous Emancipation Proclamation:
"SECTION 1.Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
SECTION 2.Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
The Fourteenth Amendment (1868):
The 14th amendment gave equal protection to all males under the law, and created a post-Civil War definition of citizenship:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
The 14th amendment gave equal protection to all males under the law, and created a post-Civil War definition of citizenship:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
The Fifteenth Amendment (1870):
The fifteenth amendment finally gave the right to vote guaranteed, disregarding race, color, or former condition of slavery:
"Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
The fifteenth amendment finally gave the right to vote guaranteed, disregarding race, color, or former condition of slavery:
"Section 1: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2: The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
The Sixteenth Amendment (1913):
This amendment implemented income tax in the United States:
"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration."
This amendment implemented income tax in the United States:
"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration."
The Seventeenth Amendment (1913):
The 17th amendment created the direct election of senators:
"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures."
The 17th amendment created the direct election of senators:
"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures."
The Eighteenth Amendment (1919):
The Eighteenth amendment was prohibition, perhaps one of the most infamous amendments:
"After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited."
The Eighteenth amendment was prohibition, perhaps one of the most infamous amendments:
"After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited."
The Nineteenth Amendment (1920):
This gave women the right to vote:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
This gave women the right to vote:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
The Twentieth Amendment (1933):
This amendment ended the lame-duck session of Congress, and changed when President and Congress take office to January 20th for the executives, and January 3rd for representatives and senators:
"The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin."
This amendment ended the lame-duck session of Congress, and changed when President and Congress take office to January 20th for the executives, and January 3rd for representatives and senators:
"The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin."
The Twenty-first Amendment (1933):
This amendment repealed prohibition:
"The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed."
This amendment repealed prohibition:
"The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed."
The Twenty-second Amendment (1951):
At this time, the two-term limit for the President was put in place:
"No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once."
At this time, the two-term limit for the President was put in place:
"No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once."
The Twenty-third Amendment (1961):
This gave the people in the District of Columbia the right to vote for President:
"The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a state, but in no event more than the least populous state; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment."
This gave the people in the District of Columbia the right to vote for President:
"The District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a state, but in no event more than the least populous state; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the states, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment."
The Twenty-fourth Amendment (1964):
The 24th amendment repealed poll taxes in national elections:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax."
The 24th amendment repealed poll taxes in national elections:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax."
The Twenty-fifth Amendment (1967):
This amendment dictated how Presidential succession would occur, and although it had been occurring in this fashion, this amendment made it law:
"In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
SECTION 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress..."
This amendment dictated how Presidential succession would occur, and although it had been occurring in this fashion, this amendment made it law:
"In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
SECTION 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress..."
The Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971):
This amendment lowered the voting age to eighteen:
"The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age"
This amendment lowered the voting age to eighteen:
"The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age"
The Twenty-seventh Amendment (1992):
The 18th amendment stated that election must come between the time a law is passed increasing the pay for Senators and Representatives and the time when that law goes into effect. This was to stop senators and representatives from increasing their own pay with their own votes:
"No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."
The 18th amendment stated that election must come between the time a law is passed increasing the pay for Senators and Representatives and the time when that law goes into effect. This was to stop senators and representatives from increasing their own pay with their own votes:
"No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened."