Amendment 1
protects freedom of speech, religion, the press, the right to assemble and petition the government
Amendment 2
protects the individual's right to bear arms
Amendment 3
prohibits the forced housing of soldiers in peacetime
Amendment 4
prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures; sets requirements for search warrants (probable cause)
Amendment 5
rules for indictment by a grand jury; eminent domain; right to due process; prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy
Amendment 6
right to a speedy and public trial, by jury; right to be notified of the accusations against you; right to confront your accuser; right to obtain witnesses and have a lawyer
Amendment 7
the right to a trial by jury on certain civil cases
Amendment 8
prohibits excessive fines or bail; prohibits cruel and unusual punishment
Amendment 9
says that other individual rights exist even if they were not specifically listed in the Constitution, and protects those rights
Amendment 10
limits the powers of the national government to those specifically delegated to it by the Constitution; all other powers fall to the States and the people unless the Constitution specifically forbids it
Amendment 11
grants the states "sovereign immunity" and they are thus immune from civil or criminal prosecution
Amendment 12
clarified and expanded the procedure for electing the President
Amendment 13
abolished slavery and involuntary servitude (except as legitimate punishment for a crime)
Amendment 14
defined citizenship; guarantees Due Process (applies the Bill of Rights to the States); guarantees equal protection under the law to all those in a state's jurisdiction
Amendment 15
prohibits governments from denying anyone the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude
Amendment 16
Allows the national government to collect an Income Tax
Amendment 17
made election of Senators by direct popular vote (previously, they were elected by the state legislatures)
Amendment 18
Prohibition - forbade the production, sale, or transportation of "intoxicating liquors
Amendment 19
granted women the right to vote
Amendment 20
sets the beginning and ending dates of Presidential terms and congressional sessions; also deals with the President-elect (succession)
Amendment 21
repealed Prohibition (the 18th Amendment), but granted the States the right to prohibit "intoxicating liquors
Amendment 22
limited the President to two terms (8 years)
Amendment 23
granted citizens of the District of Columbia the right to vote in Presidential elections
Amendment 24
outlawed the practice of a "poll tax
Amendment 25
stated that the Vice-President does become "the" President (not simply the "Acting President") if the President resigns, dies, is impeached, or cannot fulfill the duties of the office
Amendment 26
set the voting age at 18-years-old
Amendment 27
says that no increase or decrease in the salaries of Congress may take effect until a new session of Congress begins (essentially, after an election)
The Full Faith and Credit Clause
Article 4, Section 1 - the States must recognize the laws and policies of other states
The Commerce Clause
Article 4, Section 8, Clause 3 - Congress can regulate interstate commerce
The Necessary and Proper Clause
Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 - Also known as the "Elastic Clause") - grants Congress the power to make laws deemed "necessary and proper" to carry out its previously enumerated powers