Amendment 1

Five basic freedoms: religion, speech, assembly, press, and petition

Examples: Forcing religion upon citizens of the United States is illegal.
Amendment 2
Right to bear arms
Example: The government cannot take your right to own
and operate weapons.
Amendment 3
Restrict the quartering of troops
Example: People are not required to house troops in time of
peace or war.
Amendment 4
Unreasonable searches and seizures
Example: Government officials do not have the right to
search your property without a warrant or a probable
cause.
Amendment 5
Life, liberty, and property. Due process of law, double
jeopardy, self-incrimination, and government seizure of
property
Example: Citizens do not have to be a witness against
himself or herself in court
Amendment 6
Speedy, public, and jury trial - criminal cases
Example: Citizens cannot be held in jail for an excessive
amount of time. Trial must be set for the earliest possible
time. Right to a trial by jury.
Amendment 7
Jury trial in civil cases
Example: You are allowed a jury in civil cases
Amendment 8
Cruel and unusual punishment
Example: A judge cannot sentence you to death for speeding.
Amendment 9
All rights not spelled out are "retained by the people" - your
basic or natural rights
Example: People are given rights that are not listed in the
Constitution.
Amendment 10

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved

for the states
Example: Gay marriage
Amendment 11
States have "sovereign immunity"
Example: Protects states from certain lawsuits.
Amendment 12
New method of electing for President and Vice President.
Voting separately for president and vice president.
Example: Attempt to add more opinion in office.
Amendment 13
Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as
punishment for a crime
Example: The end of slavery via the Constitution.
Amendment 14
Gave citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the
United States. No state can deny, "equal protection of the
laws" to any person.
Example: The government or states cannot deny a persons
liberties based upon whether they were born in the U.S. or
naturalized.
Amendment 15
The right to vote shall not be denied to any citizen on the
basis of race, color or previous condition of servitude.
Examples: No one is denied the right to vote.
Amendment 16
Federal income tax
Example: Once you have a job, you will have to pay income
taxes.
Amendment 17
Popular election of senators
Example: Senators are elected by popular vote.
Amendment 18
Prohibition of intoxicating liquors
Example: Made the manufacturing and consumption of
alcohol illegal.
Amendment 19
Women's suffrage: Right to vote
Example: Women earn the right to vote
Amendment 20

Changed the commencement dates when a new president

and congress takes office from March to January. This
shortened the "lame-duck" period.
Example: it makes sure that a president is not in office for
two months with nothing to do.
Amendment 21
Repeal to Prohibition.
Example: The manufacturing and consumption of alcohol is
made legal.
Amendment 22
Limited president to serving no more than two terms or 10
years.
Example: Former president FDR set this amendment with
his 4 terms served.
Amendment 23
Gives Washington D.C. three electoral votes during
Presidential Elections.
Example: This made voting fairer.
Amendment 24
The right to vote cannot be denied to any US citizen because
of an inability to pay a tax.
Example: If someone does not pay their taxes, they cannot
vote.
Amendment 25
Clarifies the process of Presidential succession in the event
that the President dies or is unable to perform his duties: VP
becomes President.
Example: When JFK was assassinated, Lyndon B. Johnson
took over office.
Amendment 26
Lets 18 year-olds vote
Example: If 18 year-olds can go to war, then they are old
enough to vote.
Amendment 27
Senators and Representatives cannot increase their pay
during their current term. They can only increase pay for
the people elected to the next term.
Example: Senators must wait to receive an upgraded pay after their term is served.