Final answer:
The 11th Amendment places limits on lawsuits against states, granting them sovereign immunity and preventing federal courts from hearing certain cases brought against a state by individuals from other states or countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 11th Amendment was a significant change to the Constitution, focusing on the judicial powers of the United States regarding state sovereign immunity. Prior to this amendment, federal courts had the authority to hear cases brought against a state by citizens of another state.
However, the adoption of the 11th Amendment in 1795 specifically asserted that the judicial power of the United States shall not extend to any suit against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
This essentially granted states protection from certain lawsuits, laying the groundwork for what is known as sovereign immunity. In Article I, Sections 9 and 10, the Constitution sets forth various restrictions on both national and state authorities regarding federalism and the protection of personal liberties, including the prohibition of ex post facto laws and writs of habeas corpus.