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What does the "quartering of soldiers" mean?

Amendment Three: 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.

    WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

During times of peace, people cannot be forced to house or feed soldiers. During a war, people can only be asked to do this if Congress passes a law allowing it.

The Third Amendment was established in the Constitution for the purpose of protecting the citizens and their private property from intrusion from the government. It was originally established because the colonists were disillusioned when the British made them house soldiers. The British wanted soldiers in private homes to obtain information about possible uprisings. The colonists did not feel that the government should have the right to intrude upon personal property.

Today this is the only one of the first ten amendment which has never been brought to the Supreme Court. It is the least litigated of the first ten amendments. The amendment does not seem relevant today since the government has never asked private citizens to quarter, or house, anyone from the military.