U.S. Constitutional Amendments and Supreme Court Quiz

The First Amendment protects five essential freedoms that limit government interference in personal expression and belief. These freedoms form the foundation of democratic participation by ensuring individuals can speak, worship, publish, gather, and petition freely without fear of punishment or censorship.

The Second Amendment guarantees the right of individuals to keep and bear arms. Historically, it was tied to militia service, but it has been interpreted to protect individual gun ownership under U.S. constitutional law.

The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing homeowners to house soldiers without consent. This protection was a direct response to British practices before the American Revolution and reinforces privacy and property rights.

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. It requires law enforcement to obtain warrants based on probable cause and clearly specify what is being searched or seized.

The Fifth Amendment provides critical legal protections including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and unlawful loss of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

The Sixth Amendment ensures fairness in criminal prosecutions by guaranteeing a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, legal counsel, and the right to confront witnesses.

The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases involving disputes over a specified monetary value. It preserves the traditional role of juries in resolving legal conflicts.

The Eighth Amendment protects individuals from excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel or unusual punishment. It limits how the justice system can penalize individuals.

The Ninth Amendment clarifies that people retain rights beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution. This prevents the government from claiming unlisted rights do not exist.

The Tenth Amendment reinforces federalism by reserving powers not granted to the federal government to the states or the people, maintaining balance between levels of government.

The Eleventh Amendment protects states from being sued in federal court without consent, reinforcing state sovereignty within the federal system.

The Twelfth Amendment corrected flaws in presidential elections by separating ballots for president and vice president and requiring equal qualifications.

The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, marking a major expansion of civil liberty.

The Fifteenth Amendment protects voting rights by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

The Sixteenth Amendment allows Congress to collect income taxes without apportioning them among states, expanding federal revenue authority.

The Seventeenth Amendment established the direct election of U.S. senators by voters rather than state legislatures.

The Eighteenth Amendment initiated Prohibition by banning alcohol production and sale nationwide.

The Nineteenth Amendment guarantees voting rights regardless of gender, granting women the constitutional right to vote.

The Twentieth Amendment sets the start and end dates for presidential and congressional terms, reducing “lame-duck” periods.

The Twenty-First Amendment repealed Prohibition, restoring legal alcohol sales and regulation to the states.

The Twenty-Second Amendment limits presidents to two elected terms to prevent concentration of executive power.

The Twenty-Third Amendment grants the District of Columbia electoral votes equal to the least populous state.

The Twenty-Fourth Amendment bans poll taxes in federal elections, protecting voting access for all citizens.

The Twenty-Fifth Amendment outlines procedures for presidential succession and filling vice presidential vacancies.

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment lowers the voting age to 18, expanding democratic participation.

The Twenty-Seventh Amendment restricts Congress from raising its own pay until after an election.

Marbury v. Madison established judicial review, empowering courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland ruled that states cannot tax federal institutions, reinforcing federal supremacy.

Gibbons v. Ogden affirmed federal authority over interstate commerce, strengthening national economic regulation.