Malcolm Rivera
The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794, and ratified by 12 of the then 15 states on February 7, 1795. The amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens in federal court. It was adopted to overrule the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), where the Court held that states did not enjoy sovereign immunity from such suits. The Eleventh Amendment clarified Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, which gives diversity jurisdiction to the judiciary to hear cases between a state and citizens of another state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date passed by Congress | March 4, 1794 |
| Date ratified | February 7, 1795 |
| Number of states ratifying | 12 of 15 |
| Date South Carolina ratified | December 4, 1797 |
| Date New Jersey ratified | June 25, 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Eleventh Amendment was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794
- It was ratified on February 7, 1795
- The amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens
- It was adopted to overrule the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793)
- The amendment clarified Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution
The Eleventh Amendment was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794
The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794, and ratified by the states on February 7, 1795. This amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens in federal court.
The Eleventh Amendment was the first Constitutional amendment adopted after the Bill of Rights. It was proposed by the 3rd Congress and approved by the House of Representatives by a vote of 81-9, having previously been passed by the Senate 23-2 on January 14, 1794. The amendment clarified Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, which gives diversity jurisdiction to the judiciary to hear cases "between a state and citizens of another state."
The Eleventh Amendment was adopted to overrule the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793). In that case, the Court held that states did not enjoy sovereign immunity from suits made by citizens of other states in federal court. The amendment established that federal courts do not have the authority to hear cases brought by private parties against a state of which they are not citizens.
The amendment specifically prohibits federal courts from hearing cases in which a state is sued by an individual from another state or another country. This concept of protecting states from certain types of legal liability is known as "sovereign immunity." It is worth noting that the Eleventh Amendment did not bar all lawsuits against states in federal courts. For example, it did not prevent suits against a state involving a matter of federal law or those brought by its own citizens.
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It was ratified on February 7, 1795
The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on February 7, 1795, and it plays a significant role in shaping the relationship between the federal courts and the states. This amendment was proposed by the First Congress of the United States in 1794 and was the first amendment adopted following the Bill of Rights. The ratification process took place over a year, with state legislatures considering and approving the amendment one by one. By February 7, 1795, the required number of states had ratified the amendment, and it became an integral part of the Constitution.
The date of ratification, February 7, 1795, is significant as it marks the official adoption of the amendment into the fabric of the nation's founding document. It reflects the careful consideration and consensus-building that went into amending the Constitution in the early years of the republic. The Eleventh Amendment specifically addresses the issue of federal court jurisdiction and sovereign immunity of the states. It was a response to the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), which allowed a citizen of one state to sue another state in federal court.
The amendment's ratification on that date ensured that each state's sovereignty and immunity from certain types of lawsuits in federal courts was established and protected. The Eleventh Amendment provides that federal courts cannot hear lawsuits against a state by citizens of another state or foreign country unless the state being sued waives its sovereign immunity or Congress abrogates it with appropriate legislation. This amendment struck a balance between federal judicial power and state autonomy, reflecting the principles of federalism inherent in the Constitution.
The date of ratification also highlights the early recognition of the need to clarify and refine the Constitution. The Founding Fathers understood that the document they created would require amendments to address issues that arose as the young nation grew and evolved. The Eleventh Amendment demonstrated their commitment to a flexible and adaptable Constitution, capable of meeting the needs of a changing society while preserving the fundamental principles upon which the nation was founded.
The ratification of the Eleventh Amendment on February 7, 1795, stands as a testament to the thoughtful and deliberative process undertaken by the nation's founders to ensure a balanced and effective system of government. It reflects their commitment to federalism and the delicate balance of power between the states and the federal government. This amendment set a precedent for future amendments and continues to shape the interpretation and application of constitutional principles in modern times.
Overall, the ratification of the Eleventh Amendment on February 7, 1795, holds historical and legal significance, influencing the interpretation of constitutional law and the relationship between the states and the federal government in the United States.
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The amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens
The Eleventh Amendment (Amendment XI) was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794, and ratified by the states on February 7, 1795. The amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens.
The text of the Eleventh Amendment states:
> "The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State."
This amendment was adopted to overrule the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), where the Court held that states did not have sovereign immunity from lawsuits filed by citizens of other states in federal court. The Eleventh Amendment established that federal courts do not have the authority to hear cases brought by private parties against a state of which they are not citizens.
The Supreme Court has interpreted the Eleventh Amendment to mean that state courts are not required to hear cases against a state if those cases are based on federal law. This interpretation suggests that the Court considers state sovereign immunity a fundamental principle, even if it is not explicitly stated in the amendment's text.
While the Eleventh Amendment restricts lawsuits by out-of-state citizens, it does not prevent federal courts from hearing suits by citizens against their own states. Additionally, individuals may still bring constitutional and statutory cases against states under certain circumstances, such as when the state has waived its sovereign immunity or when Congress has abrogated state immunity through its regulatory power.
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It was adopted to overrule the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793)
The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on February 7, 1795, as a direct response to the Supreme Court's controversial ruling in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793). This landmark case involved a lawsuit filed by Alexander Chisholm, an estate administrator, against the state of Georgia. Chisholm sought to recover debts owed to the estate of a South Carolina merchant, and the case ultimately raised critical questions about state sovereignty and immunity from suit.
In its decision, the Supreme Court held that federal courts had jurisdiction over disputes between private citizens and states. This ruling directly contradicted the long-standing principle of state sovereignty and immunity, which was understood to protect states from being sued without their consent. The Court's interpretation of the Constitution's Article III, which establishes the judicial branch, allowed for suits against unconsenting states, causing a significant backlash from the states.
The 11th Amendment was swiftly proposed and adopted to overturn this decision and reinforce state sovereignty. The amendment explicitly states that federal courts do not have jurisdiction over lawsuits against a state by citizens of another state or foreign country. It clarifies that a state cannot be compelled to appear in a federal court without its consent, effectively restoring the understanding of sovereign immunity that existed before Chisholm v. Georgia.
The swift adoption of the 11th Amendment underscores the importance that the founding generation attached to state sovereignty and the balance of power between the states and the federal government. The amendment's ratification process was relatively swift, taking less than two years, indicating a strong consensus among the states to correct what they viewed as an erroneous interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court.
The 11th Amendment continues to shape the relationship between the states and the federal judiciary today. While it primarily addressed the specific issue raised in Chisholm v. Georgia, it also had broader implications for federalism and the structure of the American governmental system. The amendment stands as a testament to the dynamic nature of constitutional interpretation and the ongoing dialogue between the branches of government in shaping the nation's legal landscape.
Overall, the 11th Amendment serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between federal and state powers and the foundational role of state sovereignty in the American constitutional order. Its adoption was a decisive step in reaffirming this principle and ensuring that the states retained their autonomy and immunity from certain types of lawsuits in federal courts.
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The amendment clarified Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution
The 11th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified on February 7, 1795. This amendment clarified Article III, Section 2 of the original Constitution, which outlines the judicial powers of the federal courts. The amendment specifically addresses the issue of federal court jurisdiction over lawsuits brought by citizens of one state against another state.
Before the 11th Amendment, there was uncertainty and debate about the extent of federal court power in these types of cases. The Amendment clarified that federal courts do not have the authority to hear cases in which a citizen of one state sues another state directly. This amendment was a response to the Supreme Court case of Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), in which the Court held that federal courts could hear suits against states by citizens of other states. This decision caused concern among the states, leading to the swift proposal and ratification of the 11th Amendment to overturn the Chisholm decision.
The text of the 11th Amendment states: "The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State." This amendment ensures that citizens must seek redress from states in state courts, unless a state consents to be sued in federal court or Congress abrogates immunity through its powers under Section 5 of the 14th Amendment.
Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution, which the 11th Amendment clarifies, grants federal judicial power over cases involving diversity of citizenship. This section gives federal courts jurisdiction in cases between citizens of different states, provided that the amount in controversy exceeds a certain threshold. However, the 11th Amendment carves out an exception to this diversity jurisdiction by prohibiting federal courts from hearing suits by citizens of one state against another state.
In summary, the 11th Amendment addressed a specific concern regarding the scope of federal court power by clarifying that citizens cannot sue states in federal court without the state's consent or congressional abrogation of immunity. This amendment ensures that states are protected from certain types of lawsuits in federal courts, reflecting a balance of power between the states and the federal government in the US constitutional system.
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Frequently asked questions
The 11th Amendment was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794.
The 11th Amendment was ratified on February 7, 1795.
The 11th Amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states of which they are not citizens in federal court.
The 11th Amendment was added to the Constitution to overrule the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), where the Court held that states did not enjoy sovereign immunity from suits made by citizens of other states in federal court.
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