1. Amendments

2. Amendment 11
States cannot be sued in federal court by one of its citizens, a citizen of another state, or by a foreign country

3. 11th Amendment
The amendment did not bar all lawsuits against states in federal courts. For example, as initially interpreted, the Eleventh Amendment did not bar suits against states when a matter of federal law was at issue nor did it prevent suits brought against a state by its own citizens. But more recently, a divided Supreme Court has held that states are immune from all lawsuits in federal courts unless they specifically agree to be sued.

4. Amendment 12 Election of the President and Vice-President
Use of electoral college to use separate ballots in voting for president and vice-president

5. 12th Amendment
The 12th Amendment redefines how the President and Vice-President are chosen by the Electoral College, making the two positions cooperative, rather than first and second highest vote-getters. It also ensures that anyone who becomes Vice-President must be eligible to become President.

6. Amendment 13 Known as Civil War Amendment
Outlaws the practice of slavery in the United States

7. Amendment 14 Also known as Civil War Amendment
Originally meant to protect the rights of freed slaves
Now protects all citizens’ life, liberty or property without due process
All have equal protection under the law

8. Amendment 15 Also known as Civil War Amendment
No person shall be denied the right to vote because of race
Poll taxes, literacy tests, etc. worked against
Women not included

9. Amendment 16
Congress can collect income tax

10. Amendment 17
2 Senators from each state are directly elected by the people
Gave people a greater voice

11. Amendment 18
Illegal to sell, manufacture, or transport alcoholic beverages
“Prohibition”

12. Amendment 19 Women’s Suffrage
The right to vote cannot be denied because of gender

13. Amendment 20 “Lame-Duck” Amendment President takes office January 20th
Congress begins new term January 3rd
Outgoing officials have little influence and do not accomplish much
If president-elect dies before taking office, vice-president elect becomes president

14. Amendment 21 Repeals the 18th Amendment ending Prohibition
Only amendment to do this

15. Amendment 22 President cannot serve more than 2 full terms
Passed as a response to FDR’s 4 terms in office (1933 – 1945)

16. Amendment 23
Allows the citizens of the Washington D.C. to vote for president and vice president
3 presidential electors

17. Amendment 24 Prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections
Poll taxes used to keep low-income minorities from voting

18. Amendment 25
If the president dies or cannot lead, vice-president takes office
If the vice-president dies or resigns, the president cannot appoint a replacement
Subject to Congressional consent

19. Amendment 26
No one over the age of eighteen can be denied the right to vote by virtue of age

20. Amendment 27
Any pay raise Congress gives it’s members does not take effect until a new election has taken place.
Proposed in 1789, passed in 1992