Bill Of Rights

The Bill of Rights consists of the 1st ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The idea of the Bill of Rights was to ensure certain rights and freedoms for the citizens of the United States.

1. What does the Bill of Rights protect?

A.a citizen's individual rights

B.the Congress

C.It abolished slavery and freed all slaves

D.popular sovereignty

Question 1 of 2

2. The Bill of Rights was designed to limit the power of:

A.the President

B.the Supreme Court

C.state governments

D.the federal government

Question 2 of 2

 Loading...

 

Video Transcription

It put a limit on what any government could be doing or controlling. The protected freedoms include the freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the right to bear arms, the right to a speedy trial, and protection from unreasonable search or seizure of your home, and more.

Quite a few delegates in the U.S. Congress refused to sign the Constitution if it wouldn’t include the Bill of Rights, and this had become a major issue for ratifying the new Constitution in a few states.

So James Madison wrote down 12 amendments that he presented to the First Congress that were held in 1789. In 1791, on December 15th, ten of these amendments were passed to become part of the new Constitution. Later, they became known under the name the “Bill of Rights.”

The U.S. Bill of Rights was based on a few previous documents such as the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

Here we list the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the American Bill of Rights:

First Amendment – this states that the U.S. Congress shall make no laws that prevent the establishment of any religion or prohibit free religious exercise. Also protected were the freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and that citizens have the right to petition the U.S. Government for a redress of grievances.

Second Amendment – this is protecting the right of citizens to bear arms.

Third Amendment – this is preventing governments from placing troops in a private home. This was one of the main problems of the American Revolutionary War.

Fourth Amendment – this Amendment is preventing the government from unreasonable search or seizure of properties of U.S. citizens. This requires the U.S. government to come up with a warrant issued by an American judge and based upon probable cause.

Fifth Amendment – This Amendment is well-known for individuals saying, “I take the Fifth.” It offers individuals the choice not to have to testify in a court of law if they have the impression that their testimony could incriminate them.

Additionally, the Fifth Amendment is protecting U.S. citizens from criminal prosecution or punishment with no due process. This also preventing individuals from being sued and tried twice for the same offense.

It is also establishing the power of eminent domain, meaning that governments cannot seize private property for public use without proper or just compensation.

Sixth Amendment – this guaranteeing speedy trial by juries of one’s peers. Additionally, accused individuals must be informed of the crimes they’re charged with and that they have the right to confront witnesses brought by the government.

This Amendment is also providing the right of the accused to compel a witness’ testimony and the right to legal representation, which means the government must provide a lawyer.

Seventh Amendment – this provides that a jury may also try a civil case.

Eighth Amendment – this prohibiting excessive bail, rather excessive fines, and unusual or cruel punishments.

Ninth Amendment – this stating that the list of rights as described in the U.S. Constitution is not exhaustive: individuals still have all the rights, even when not listed.

Tenth Amendment – this Amendment gives all powers that are not specifically rendered to the U.S. government in the U.S. Constitution, either to the American states or to the American people.

Last Updated on September 13, 2024.