Eleventh Amendment

Definition

The Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1795 and provides that states cannot be sued in federal court by citizens of another state or by citizens or subjects of a foreign state. This amendment is crucial as it reinforces the concept of state sovereignty and limits the jurisdiction of federal courts, reflecting a key aspect of the evolution of federalism in American history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Eleventh Amendment was adopted as a response to the Supreme Court case Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), which allowed a citizen to sue a state in federal court.
2. It effectively reversed the Supreme Court's ruling in Chisholm and limited the ability of individuals to bring lawsuits against states in federal courts.
3. The amendment reflects a fundamental principle of American federalism by affirming the rights of states against lawsuits by non-residents.
4. While the Eleventh Amendment protects states from certain types of lawsuits, it does not grant absolute immunity; states can still be sued in their own courts or if they waive their immunity.
5. This amendment has been interpreted to extend beyond its text, leading to a broad interpretation of state sovereign immunity in various legal contexts.

Review Questions

• How did the Eleventh Amendment arise from the Chisholm v. Georgia case, and what does this reveal about early American views on state sovereignty?
  • The Eleventh Amendment was directly influenced by the Supreme Court case Chisholm v. Georgia, which ruled that individuals could sue states in federal court. This decision alarmed many who believed it threatened state sovereignty and autonomy. As a result, the Eleventh Amendment was ratified to prevent such lawsuits, highlighting early American concerns about balancing federal authority with the rights of individual states.
• Analyze how the Eleventh Amendment impacts the relationship between federal and state courts in terms of jurisdiction and lawsuits.
  • The Eleventh Amendment significantly impacts the jurisdictional landscape by restricting federal courts from hearing cases against states brought by individuals from outside that state or foreign entities. This limitation fosters a degree of insulation for states, allowing them to manage their own legal matters without interference from federal courts. Consequently, this shapes the broader framework of federalism by emphasizing state sovereignty while also defining the limits of federal judicial power.
• Evaluate the ongoing relevance of the Eleventh Amendment in contemporary legal disputes involving state sovereignty and individual rights.
  • The Eleventh Amendment remains highly relevant today, as it continues to shape discussions about state sovereignty and individual rights in legal disputes. Its interpretations often arise in cases related to civil rights and state liability, influencing how courts address conflicts between state laws and federal mandates. As society evolves and new legal challenges emerge, debates around this amendment highlight its role in balancing individual access to justice against the rights of states to govern themselves without external interference.

Related terms

Sovereign Immunity: A legal doctrine that protects states from being sued without their consent, forming the foundation for the Eleventh Amendment.

Federalism:

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states.

Judicial Review: The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, which can affect how federal and state powers are balanced.