Which amendment provides for the right to free speech?

The First Amendment is pivotal in the American constitutional framework as it explicitly guarantees the right to freedom of speech. This amendment is part of the Bill of Rights, ratified in 1791, and it protects various forms of expression, allowing individuals to speak freely without government intervention. This foundational principle encourages open discourse and the sharing of ideas, which are essential for a democratic society.

Understanding the First Amendment's significance helps illuminate why other amendments do not encompass this specific right. The Fifth Amendment relates to rights in legal proceedings, such as protection against self-incrimination and ensuring due process. The Second Amendment addresses the right to bear arms, reflecting concerns about personal defense and state militias. The Tenth Amendment emphasizes states’ rights and the powers reserved to the states or the people, rather than focusing on individual rights like free speech.

In summary, the First Amendment is essential for safeguarding free expression, making it the correct answer for the question regarding the right to free speech.