US Constitutional Amendments
27 flashcards by MentisLibrary
All 27 amendments in plain language, with the year each was ratified and the history behind it.
- What does the 1st Amendment do?
- Protects freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition
- What does the 2nd Amendment do?
- Protects the right to keep and bear arms
- What does the 3rd Amendment do?
- Prohibits forcing citizens to quarter soldiers in their homes in peacetime
- What does the 4th Amendment do?
- Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants based on probable cause
- What does the 5th Amendment do?
- Guarantees due process, grand jury indictment, and protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination; requires compensation for taken property
- What does the 6th Amendment do?
- Guarantees a speedy public trial by an impartial jury, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to counsel
- What does the 7th Amendment do?
- Preserves the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases
- What does the 8th Amendment do?
- Prohibits excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment
- What does the 9th Amendment do?
- States that the people retain rights not specifically listed in the Constitution
- What does the 10th Amendment do?
- Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people
- What does the 11th Amendment do?
- Limits federal courts from hearing lawsuits against a state by citizens of another state or country
- What does the 12th Amendment do?
- Requires electors to cast separate votes for president and vice president
- What does the 13th Amendment do?
- Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime
- What does the 14th Amendment do?
- Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the US and guarantees due process and equal protection under state law
- What does the 15th Amendment do?
- Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude
- What does the 16th Amendment do?
- Gives Congress the power to levy a federal income tax
- What does the 17th Amendment do?
- Establishes direct popular election of US senators
- What does the 18th Amendment do?
- Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcoholic beverages (Prohibition)
- What does the 19th Amendment do?
- Guarantees women the right to vote
- What does the 20th Amendment do?
- Moves the start of presidential terms to January 20 and congressional terms to January 3
- What does the 21st Amendment do?
- Repeals the 18th Amendment and ends Prohibition
- What does the 22nd Amendment do?
- Limits presidents to two elected terms
- What does the 23rd Amendment do?
- Gives Washington DC electors in presidential elections
- What does the 24th Amendment do?
- Abolishes poll taxes in federal elections
- What does the 25th Amendment do?
- Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability and for filling a vice presidential vacancy
- What does the 26th Amendment do?
- Lowers the voting age to 18
- What does the 27th Amendment do?
- Delays congressional pay changes until after the next House election