the eleventh amendment was a direct reaction to an unpopular ruling by the supreme court in "chisholm v. georgia" (1793). in "chisholm" the court said federal courts had the power to hear lawsuits brought by citizens against us states. also, that states were not immune to these cases. the eleventh amendment reversed this decision and does not allow cases brought against a state by a citizen of another state or country. it says nothing about a citizen bringing a suit against their own state.