Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments were introduced by James Madison to the 1st United States Congress in 1789 as a series of legislative articles and came into effect on December 15, 1791, when they had been ratified by three-fourths of the states. The Bill of Rights enumerates specific prohibitions on governmental power, in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties.

History

The Bill of Rights was influenced by the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason and adopted by the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1776. The English Bill of Rights 1689 and the Magna Carta also served as important precursors.

The Amendments

The Bill of Rights consists of the following ten amendments:

First Amendment

The First Amendment protects the rights to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Second Amendment

The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Third Amendment

The Third Amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent, prohibiting it during peacetime.

Fourth Amendment

The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure and sets requirements for search warrants based on probable cause.

Fifth Amendment

The Fifth Amendment sets out rules for indictment by grand jury and eminent domain, protects the right to due process, and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Sixth Amendment

The Sixth Amendment protects the right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, including the rights to be notified of the accusations, to confront the accuser, to obtain witnesses, and to retain counsel.

Seventh Amendment

The Seventh Amendment provides for the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases, according to common law.

Eighth Amendment

The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive fines and excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

The Ninth Amendment states that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that are not specifically listed.

Tenth Amendment

The Tenth Amendment states that the federal government has only those powers delegated to it by the Constitution, and that all other powers are reserved to the states or to the people.

Significance

The Bill of Rights plays a crucial role in American law and government, and remains a vital symbol of the freedoms and culture of the United States. It has been the subject of numerous Supreme Court decisions and continues to be a cornerstone of American democracy.

See also

• United States Constitution
• Federalist Papers
• Anti-Federalism
• Constitutional amendment
• Civil liberties
• Human rights