Which amendment prohibits the government from taking private property without just compensation?

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution includes a critical provision known as the "Takings Clause," which explicitly states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation. This clause is foundational in property rights and ensures that if the government needs to acquire private land for things like building infrastructure or public facilities, they must provide fair payment to the property owner.

This protection against uncompensated takings supports the broader principle of due process, ensuring that individuals are treated fairly when the government exercises its power to take property. This means that landowners have the right to receive an equivalent value for their property, thus safeguarding individual property rights.

In contrast, other amendments mentioned do not address the issue of taking private property. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, the Third Amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent, and the Ninth Amendment acknowledges that the enumeration of certain rights in the Constitution does not deny or disparage others retained by the people. These amendments focus on different rights, making the Fifth Amendment the correct choice in this context.