The Eleventh Amendment (Amendment XI) is an amendment to the United States Constitution which was passed by Congress on March 4, 1794, and ratified by the states on February 7, 1795. The Eleventh Amendment restricts the ability of individuals to bring suit against states in federal court.
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. While 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 ruled the amendment to apply to all federal suits against states brought by private parties. The Supreme Court has also held that Congress can abrogate state sovereign immunity when using its authority under Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment and that the Bankruptcy Clause itself abrogates state sovereign immunity in bankruptcy cases. The Supreme Court has also held that federal courts can enjoin state officials from violating federal law.
1795Feb, 7
The 11th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified.
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Events on 1795
- 19Jan
Republic of the Seven United Netherlands
The Batavian Republic is proclaimed in the Netherlands, bringing to an end the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. - 28Mar
Duchy of Courland and Semigallia
Partitions of Poland: The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, a northern fief of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, ceases to exist and becomes part of Imperial Russia. - 31May
Revolutionary Tribunal
French Revolution: The Revolutionary Tribunal is suppressed. - 17Jun
Dutch East India Company
The burghers of Swellendam expel the Dutch East India Company magistrate and declare a republic. - 25Nov
Stanisław August Poniatowski
Partitions of Poland: Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last king of independent Poland, is forced to abdicate and is exiled to Russia.