3rd Amendment: Quartering of Soldiers ***

3rd Amendment - Quartering of Soldiers
George Washington was the first American President who served in office from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797. One of the key events during his presidency was the ratification of the 3rd Amendment to the Constitution. The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution are collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights, which includes the 3rd amendment, was ratified (meaning approved) on December 15, 1791.

The Bill of Rights

Constitution Home

3rd Amendment Simplified Summary
A simplified summary of the 3rd Amendment is:

The Quartering of Soldiers

3rd Amendment Text - The Third Amendment
The original full text of the 3rd addition to the original Constitution is as follows:

3rd Amendment Text

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Cause and Reason for the 3rd Amendment
The cause or reason for this addition to the Constitution was due to many Americans being forced by the Quartering Act to house and feed British soldiers prior to the War of Independence. The colonists had no choice in this infringement of privacy in their own homes.

3rd Amendment Meaning, Explanation and Summary
The outrage of the early colonists against the treatment, and the laws, imposed by the British led to the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution. The meaning of the words and phrases in the 3rd Amendment of the Constitution are explained as follows:

3rd Amendment: Meaning of the Words of the Amendment

"No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house..."

Meaning: This addition to the original Constitution relates to the outrage of American citizens to the 1765 Quartering Act and the later 1774 Quartering Act which one of the series of Intolerable Acts imposed by the British as a reprisal to the Boston Tea Party. The Quartering Act of 1774 was designed to force local colonial governments to provide provisions and housing to British soldiers who were stationed in the 13 original Colonies of America.

The law imposed by the Quartering Act stated that, if no accommodation was available for British troops in barracks and public houses, that they should be accommodated in Inns, Private homes of those selling alcohol, Livery stables, outbuildings such as barns and Uninhabited homes.

This hated law also required colonial governments to absorb the costs associated with quartering British troops including the provision of food, shelter, bedding, cooking utensils, firewood, salt, beer or cider and candles.

"without the consent of the Owner..."

Meaning: The colonists had no choice in whether British soldiers stayed on their property, consent of the owner was not required.

The Quartering Acts, one of the series of Intolerable Acts, are directly linked to the causes of the American Revolution.

"nor in time of war, but in a manner
to be prescribed by law."

Meaning: This phrase was making a point of saying that such infringements of personal choice and liberty were not acceptable at any time, even during the time of war, and against the new Constitution.

3rd Amendment - Meaning of the Words of the Third Amendment

Bill of Rights for kids

The Bill of Rights

4th Amendment

Who wrote the 3rd Amendment of the Constitution?
James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution", wrote the 3rd Amendment in 1789 as one of the first 10 amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The 3rd amendment about Quartering of Soldiers was ratified on December 15, 1791.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

3rd Amendment - President George Washington Video
The article on the 3rd Amendment of the Constitution provides the text, definition and history of one of the major achievements of his presidential term in office. The following video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 3rd American President whose presidency spanned from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797.

Privacy Statement

Cookie Policy