What does the Eleventh Amendment address?

• A. It prohibits the imposition of excess bail
• B. It limits the ability of individuals to sue states in federal court
• C. It protects the right to free speech
• D. It eliminates poll taxes

Answer: (B)

The Eleventh Amendment specifically addresses the power of individuals to sue states in federal court, establishing a principle known as "sovereign immunity." This amendment was ratified in 1795 in response to concerns regarding the federal judiciary's ability to hear cases where a state was sued by a citizen of another state or a foreign citizen. The language of the amendment restricts the jurisdiction of federal courts over lawsuits against states, thereby protecting states from certain legal suits brought by individuals. This is significant because it reinforces the idea that the states are sovereign entities that cannot be easily compelled to appear in federal court without their consent. This concept has been influential in subsequent interpretations of the Constitution and the balance of power between state and federal authority.