The U.S. Bill of Rights

What is the Bill of Rights?

• The First Ten Amendments of the U.S. Constitution

• Protects the rights of the individual citizens and of the States against the Federal Government

• Prevent the grievances with the British government from occurring in The USA (History repeating itself)

Why Was it Added?

The Southern States insisted on the Bill of Rights being added before they would ratify the Constitution.(Needed 2/3 for ratification)– All 13 colonies needed to ratify the constitution

in order for it to be passed– Wanted to ensure that their rights would be

protected

First Amendment

• Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press and Assembly– Freedom of Petition– Separation of Church and State– No longer treason to speak out against the

government

Significance?

• Colonies were founded on the ideals of freedom of Religion (Pilgrims, Puritans, ect.)

• People are notified of what is going on around them and of their government’s actions

• The people have more say and power– The government is for the people, therefore they

should have the right to speak out against it

Second Amendment

• The Right to Bear Arms • Well regulated Militia– Individuals have the right to own/ possess guns– Defense against corruption and poor government

Significance?

• Freedom of Choice• Self-defense• Opposed British policy of Gun Limitation– Was nearly impossible for Protestants to possess

guns

Third Amendment

• Prevents the peacetime quartering of Soldiers in private homes without the owners consent

Significance?

• Opposition to the British Quartering Act in Colonial America

Fourth Amendment

• Guards against unreasonable Search and Seizure– Police must have a warrant to search/ seize

personal property

Significance?

• Right to Privacy• “Life, Liberty and Property”• Wire tapping (?)

Fifth Amendment

• A person on trial is innocent until proven guilty through due process of law, cannot be tried for the same crime twice, protected from testifying against themselves, and property cannot be taken without compensation. – The rights of the accused– “I plead the 5th”

Sixth Amendment

• Guarantees a speedy trial, an impartial jury, that the accused can confront witnesses against them and that the accused is allowed to have a lawyer. – A jury of ones peers– Protect the rights of the accused– Rights while on trial

Significance?

• Miranda Rights– “You have the right to remain silent, anything

you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, you have the right to a lawyer, if you cannot afford one, you will be supplied one by the state…”

Seventh Amendment

• Right to a Trial by jury, once a jury makes a decision, the facts cannot be re-examined by the Federal government– The decision of the people cannot be over-ruled

by the government/court.– Rights of the accused

Eighth Amendment

• No unreasonable bail or fines shall be set, and the people are protected against cruel and unusual punishments.– Torture (prisoners of war, criminals, ect.)– Punishment should fit the crime

and the ability of the one being punished.

– Rights of criminals

Significance?

• Rich will not get away with more because it is easier for them to pay a bail

• Death Penalty(?)

Ninth Amendment

• Protection of Other Rights not listed in the Constitution/ Bill of Rights

• Elastic clause– Just because a right is not listed in the

Constitution/ Bill of Rights does not mean that it does not exist and therefore be violated.

Significance?

• Ties up lose ends• Protects people from future, unpredictable

events

Tenth Amendment

• Any power that is not given to the National Government automatically goes to the states– Ties up lose ends from unpredictable

circumstances– Prevents the federal government from gaining

too much power

Significance?

• Reflects the fear of the National government from gaining too much power

• Fear a king, dictator, ect.• Later… checks and balances

• Bill of Rights Matching worksheet