Final answer:
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects Americans from being compelled to give self-incriminating testimony, a protection also known as the right to remain silent or "taking the Fifth".
Step-by-step explanation:
The amendment that protects Americans from being forced to give self-incriminating testimony is the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment ensures that no individual shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against themselves, which is widely known as the right to remain silent or "taking the Fifth".
The provision against self-incrimination prevents individuals from providing evidence or testimony that could admit guilt or imply responsibility for a crime. This right was reinforced by the Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966), which necessitates that law enforcement officials inform suspects of their rights, including the right against self-incrimination, before an interrogation if the suspects are in police custody and not free to leave.