GED Social Studies - 11th Amendment
Data Absorbing > Given Paragraph > Speech
Important Instructions
Please read and answer 35 Questions carefully within
TIME LIMIT 40 min.
The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on February 7, 1795. It established clear limits on the judicial power of the United States, particularly concerning lawsuits against states. The amendment states that federal courts do not have the authority to hear cases where a state is sued by individuals from another state or by foreign citizens. This was a direct response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), where the court held that states could be sued in federal court by citizens of another state. The ruling sparked concerns about state sovereignty, leading to the quick adoption of the 11th Amendment.
By limiting the judicial reach over state matters, the amendment reaffirmed the principle of state sovereignty within the federal system. This amendment has had a lasting impact on the balance of power between state and federal governments, and it remains a significant part of the constitutional framework that protects states' rights in the United States.
Notable Speeches Related to the 11th Amendment
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John Jay - "Chisholm v. Georgia Opinion" (1793)
- Context: In his opinion for the landmark case *Chisholm v. Georgia*, Chief Justice John Jay argued that states could be sued by individuals from other states in federal court. This ruling directly led to the drafting and ratification of the 11th Amendment.
- Speech:
"The people, in their collective and national capacity, established the Constitution. In that capacity, they ratified it; and it is their government to which they look for protection."
- Full Text: Chisholm v. Georgia Opinion
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Alexander Hamilton - "Federalist No. 81" (1788)
- Context: Hamilton discusses the role of federal courts and the limits of their jurisdiction in *Federalist No. 81*. His writings influenced the early understanding of state sovereignty, which the 11th Amendment sought to reinforce.
- Speech:
"It is inherent in the nature of sovereignty not to be amenable to the suit of an individual without its consent."
- Full Text: Federalist No. 81
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Justice Anthony Kennedy - "Opinion in Alden v. Maine" (1999)
- Context: Justice Kennedy delivered the majority opinion in *Alden v. Maine*, a case reaffirming the principles of state sovereign immunity under the 11th Amendment. This case further clarified the Amendment's protections for states from private lawsuits.
- Speech:
"The founding generation thought it 'neither becoming nor convenient' that the several States be summoned as defendants to answer the complaints of private persons."
- Full Text: Alden v. Maine Opinion
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Justice Clarence Thomas - "Opinion in Seminole Tribe v. Florida" (1996)
- Context: Justice Clarence Thomas emphasized the importance of state sovereignty under the 11th Amendment in his concurring opinion in *Seminole Tribe v. Florida*, limiting Congress's ability to abrogate state immunity.
- Speech:
"The 11th Amendment confirmed, rather than established, sovereign immunity as a constitutional principle; it follows that Congress's powers under Article I of the Constitution do not include the power to subject states to suit at the hands of private individuals."
- Full Text: Seminole Tribe v. Florida Opinion
The 11th Amendment reinforced the principle of state sovereignty, protecting states from certain types of legal actions initiated by private citizens and ensuring that states retained significant legal autonomy within the federal system.
Aspect | Details |
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Date Ratified | February 7, 1795 |
Context | In response to the Supreme Court decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793) |
Key Provision | Prohibits federal courts from hearing cases where a state is sued by an individual from another state or a foreign country. |
Impact | Strengthened state sovereignty and limited the jurisdiction of federal courts over states. |
Supreme Court Case | Chisholm v. Georgia (1793) |
Historical Significance | Marked the first constitutional amendment to overturn a Supreme Court ruling, emphasizing the balance of power between states and the federal government. |