Which amendment regulates the government's power of eminent domain?

The correct answer is the Fifth Amendment, which includes significant provisions regarding eminent domain. This amendment explicitly states that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. This is a critical legal protection for property owners, ensuring that when the government needs to acquire private land for public projects (such as highways, schools, or parks), it must provide fair compensation to the property owner.

The Fifth Amendment's articulation of this principle has shaped how eminent domain is applied and interpreted in the United States legal system. This foundation helps balance the government's need to carry out public projects while protecting individual property rights. The amendment also includes other vital protections, such as the right against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, but its specific mention of just compensation is what directly addresses eminent domain.

In contrast, the Fourteenth Amendment primarily focuses on guaranteeing equal protection under the law and due process, and though it does touch upon governmental authority, it does not specifically regulate eminent domain. The Seventh Amendment pertains to the right to a jury trial in civil cases and does not address governmental powers. The First Amendment protects freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition, which are unrelated to property rights or eminent domain.