Bill of Rights
Added in 1791, this document lists the first ten amendments, demanded by states who feared the new federal government.
Bill of Rights
The mnemonic RAPPS stands for the five freedoms of the 1st Amendment. Name ALL five.
Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, and Speech
A suspect in court says "I plead the Fifth!" invoking this right to avoid testifying against themselves.
the right against self-incrimination (5th Amendment)
This Reconstruction Amendment, ratified in 1865, formally abolished slavery throughout the United States.
13th Amendment
After decades of suffrage marches, this 1920 amendment gave women the constitutional right to vote.
19th Amendment
This amendment says the government cannot force you to house soldiers in your home without permission.
3rd Amendment
A student organizes a peaceful protest outside city hall about a school policy. This 1st Amendment freedom MOST directly protects them.
freedom of assembly
Marcus was found NOT guilty of robbery. Prosecutors try to charge him again for the SAME crime. This 5th Amendment protection prevents it.
protection against double jeopardy
This amendment established birthright citizenship anyone born in the U.S. is automatically a citizen.
14th Amendment
This 1964 amendment outlawed poll taxes in federal elections, which were used to block poor Black citizens from voting.
24th Amendment
This amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms and references a well-regulated militia.
2nd Amendment
Often forgotten, this 1st Amendment freedom is the right to formally ASK the government to change something or fix a problem.
right to petition
Police generally need probable cause and this court-issued document, signed by a judge, before legally searching your home.
warrant (4th Amendment)
The Supreme Court used this amendment's equal protection clause as the PRIMARY basis for ruling school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board.
14th Amendment
This 1971 amendment lowered the voting age to 18, driven by the argument that young men were being drafted to fight in this war but couldn't vote.
26th Amendment (Vietnam War)
This amendment says powers NOT given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.
10th Amendment
Congress is FORBIDDEN from passing any law that limits these five specific freedoms.
the five 1st Amendment freedoms
This amendment guarantees a speedy public trial, the right to a jury, the right to a lawyer, and the right to face your accusers.
6th Amendment
Ratified in 1870, this amendment granted Black men the right to vote after the Civil War.
15th Amendment
The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments are all connected by this common theme in American democracy.
expanding voting rights (suffrage)
This amendment protects rights NOT listed in the Constitution called "unenumerated rights" which still belong to the people.
9th Amendment
A newspaper publishes a story criticizing the mayor. This specific 1st Amendment freedom directly protects their right to do so.
freedom of the press
A judge sentences someone to 40 years in prison for a minor traffic violation. This amendment is MOST likely violated.
8th Amendment (cruel and unusual punishment)
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments share this group name, and all three were added following this major historical event.
Reconstruction Amendments, passed after the Civil War
Ratified in 1870, this amendment stated the right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
15th Amendment