Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

1st Amendment - 1789 Freedom of speech Freedom of religion Speak out without fear of persecution Freedom of religion Can be a part of any religious group & don’t have to be a part of any Freedom of press Protects journalists Allows them to do their jobs & give opinions that some may not like

1st Amendment Freedom of assembly Peacefully assemble Freedom of petition To say to the government “This isn’t fair!”

2nd Amendment Citizens have the right to own guns.

3rd Amendment Citizens do not have to house soldiers.

4th Amendment In order to search someone’s things or person, the government must have probable cause. Probable cause - legitimate reason or some type of proof. In order to search, a court must issue a warrant. Warrant – permission to search

5th Amendment You can’t be put on trial for the exact same crime twice. The government must follow correct procedures to accuse or search a person. A person does not have to answer a question if it will make them look guilty – “I plead the 5th!”

6th Amendment Any person who is accused of a crime should get a speedy trial by a jury. That person can have a lawyer during the trial & must be told what they are being accused of. The person can call witnesses & question the other side’s witnesses.

7th Amendment A trial jury is needed in civil cases.

8th Amendment The government cannot require excessive bail or fines, or any cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment Says that the listing of individual rights in the Constitution & Bill of Rights does not include all of the rights of the people & the states.

10th Amendment Any powers that the Constitution does not give to the United States belongs to the states and the people. This does not include powers that the Constitution says the states cannot have.

11th Amendment - 1795 Immunity of states from lawsuits by out-of-state citizens & foreigners not living within the state borders.

12th Amendment - 1804 Changed how Presidents ran for office. Presidents & Vice Presidents were voted for separately.

13th Amendment - 1865 Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist in the United States.

14th Amendment - 1868 Citizenship is given to ANYONE born in the United States. Equal protection under the law Eliminated 3/5ths Compromise

15th Amendment - 1870 All men were given the right to vote.

16th Amendment – 1913 The federal government was given the right to tax our incomes.

17th Amendment - 1913 Direct election of Senators People in the states would elect the Senators instead of them being appointed by the state legislatures

18th Amendment - 1919 Prohibition – no making, selling, or purchasing alcohol. Drinking???

19th Amendment - 1920 WOMEN were given the right to vote!!

20th Amendment - 1933 Moved the Presidential inauguration from March to January.

21st Amendment - 1933 Repealed the 18th Amendment Allowed alcohol

22nd Amendment - 1951 Presidents can only be elected to two terms of office.

23rd Amendment - 1961 They can vote for President. Washington, D.C. is given 3 votes in the Electoral College. They can vote for President.

24th Amendment - 1964 Poll taxes are not allowed.

25th Amendment - 1967 If the President dies, the Vice President takes over. Then he/she gets to select a new Vice President.

26th Amendment - 1971 18 year olds can vote!

27th Amendment - 1992 Congress can give itself a raise, but it won’t take effect until a new Congress starts. New one every 2 years.