The Bill of Rights and Landmark Constitutional Amendments
Civics and Government accounts for ~50% of the Social Studies exam.
The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1–10)
- 1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
- 2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms.
- 4th Amendment: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (requires probable cause and search warrants).
- 5th Amendment: Protection against self-incrimination ("pleading the fifth") and double jeopardy; guarantees due process of law.
- 6th Amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, right to legal counsel.
- 8th Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail.
Other Key Amendments
- 13th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery.
- 14th Amendment (1868): Guaranteed citizenship, equal protection of the laws, and due process for all persons born or naturalized in the US.
- 15th Amendment (1870): Prohibited denying voting rights based on race or prior servitude.
- 19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote.