27 Amendments Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

Trial by jury

Freedom of Religion (correct)

Right to bear arms

Excessive bail

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

Freedom of speech

Right to bear arms (correct)

Right to vote

Protection against unreasonable searches

What does the 3rd Amendment state about soldiers?

No soldier can be quartered in a home without the permission of the owner.

What does the 4th Amendment prohibit?

Unreasonable searches and seizures. Signup and view all the answers

What rights does the 5th Amendment protect?

Rights of due process and the right to remain silent. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

The right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of peers. Signup and view all the answers

What type of cases does the 7th Amendment apply to?

Civil cases for amounts of $20 or more. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 9th Amendment state about rights?

People have other rights not specifically stated in the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the 10th Amendment?

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 11th Amendment address?

When and if a state can be sued. Signup and view all the answers

What is required by the 12th Amendment during elections?

The Electoral College must vote for President and Vice President separately. Signup and view all the answers

What did the 13th Amendment achieve?

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?

Equal protection under the law. Signup and view all the answers

What right did the 15th Amendment grant?

The right to vote regardless of race or color. Signup and view all the answers

What tax did the 16th Amendment create?

Income tax. Signup and view all the answers

What process does the 17th Amendment introduce?

Direct election of Senators by the people. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 18th Amendment prohibit?

Drinking, manufacture, and sale of alcohol. Signup and view all the answers

What right was granted by the 19th Amendment?

The right for women to vote. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 20th Amendment address?

Terms of office for Congress and President; shortens 'lame duck' period. Signup and view all the answers

What did the 21st Amendment achieve?

Repealed the 18th Amendment. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does the 22nd Amendment impose?

Limits the President to two terms in office. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 23rd Amendment do for Washington, D.C.?

Gives representatives in the Electoral College. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 24th Amendment prohibit?

The poll tax. Signup and view all the answers

What succession does the 25th Amendment explain?

What happens when the President dies or is unable to continue in office. Signup and view all the answers

What voting age is set by the 26th Amendment?

18 years old. Signup and view all the answers

What does the 27th Amendment state about Congressional salaries?

Changes in salaries will take place after the next term starts. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedoms concerning religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
Vital for protecting individual rights and promoting democratic principles.

2nd Amendment

Affirms the right of individuals to bear arms for self-defense.
Centered around the concept of a well-regulated militia.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.
Reflects the historical context of the American Revolutionary War.

4th Amendment

Guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Establishes the necessity of probable cause for issuing search warrants.

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy.
Ensures due process of law is followed in legal proceedings.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.
Includes rights to confront witnesses and receive legal counsel.

7th Amendment

Preserves the right to a jury trial in civil cases where the value exceeds $20.
Highlights the importance of jury trials in protecting legal rights.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and fines, along with cruel and unusual punishment.
Vital for maintaining humane treatment within the justice system.

9th Amendment

Affirms that individuals have rights beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution.
Acknowledges the existence of unenumerated rights.

10th Amendment

Emphasizes that powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for states or the people.
Underlines the principle of federalism in the American political system.

11th Amendment

Establishes limits on lawsuits against states by individuals from other states or foreign entities.
Aims to protect state sovereignty in the judicial system.

12th Amendment

Specifies the procedures for the Electoral College to elect the President and Vice President separately.
Aims to prevent complications in the election process.

13th Amendment

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States.
A significant milestone in the civil rights movement.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to all persons born on U.S. soil and ensures equal protection under the law.
Fundamental in advancing civil rights and liberties.

15th Amendment

Ensures that the right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Important for expanding suffrage and combatting racial discrimination.

16th Amendment

Authorizes the federal government to impose income taxes.
Revolutionized government funding mechanisms.

17th Amendment

Mandates the direct election of U.S. Senators by voters.
Strengthened democratic participation in government.

18th Amendment

Enacted Prohibition, banning the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.
Reflects social reform movements of the early 20th century.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote, advancing gender equality in the political sphere.
Marks a key victory in the women's suffrage movement.

20th Amendment

Modifies the terms of office for Congress and the President to reduce the "lame duck" period.
Aims for more efficient government function post-elections.

21st Amendment

Repeals the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition.
Reflects changing societal attitudes toward alcohol consumption.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two elected terms in office, or a maximum of ten years.
Ensures the rotation of political leadership.

23rd Amendment

Grants Washington, D.C. electoral votes in the Presidential elections.
Ensures representation for D.C. residents in national politics.

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes in federal elections.
Removes financial barriers to voting, promoting accessibility.

25th Amendment

Outlines presidential succession and procedures for filling a vacancy.
Addresses scenarios of presidential incapacitation.

26th Amendment

Sets the national voting age at 18 years, prohibiting higher age limits.
Reflects a commitment to youth engagement in the democratic process.

27th Amendment

States that changes to Congressional salaries take effect only after the next election.
Designed to prevent conflicts of interest regarding salary increases.

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Test your knowledge of the 27 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution with these flashcards. Each card provides a key amendment and its definition, covering essential rights and freedoms. Ideal for students preparing for exams in U.S. government or history.