What are the Bill of Rights?
First 10 Amendments to the Constitution
When were the Bill of Rights passed?
Passed 2 years after the original Constitution was ratified
1st Amendment = Five Freedoms
Congress should not make a law that breaks freedom of speech, religion, press (publish), assembly (meet), and petition (address government).
2nd Amendment = GUNS
protects the right to bear arms (own a gun)
Establishment Clause (1st Amendment)
GOV cannot establish or endorse a state religion.
Free Exercise Clause (1st Amendment)
GOV cannot limit religious beliefs but can prevent certain practices.
3rd Amendment = No Quartering of Troops
- “No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house w/o the owner”.
- We cannot be forced to house soldiers in our home.
4th Amendment = Privacy Issues
- protects people from unreasonable searches and seizes
- cops must have a warrant w/ probable cause
- evidence found w/o warrant is inadmissible in court
5th Amendment = Due Process
- protects people from unfair practices at trial
- may not be tried twice for the same crime
- don’t have to testify against yourself in court
- must be charged by a grand jury to face trial
Eminent Domain (5th Amendment)
GOV cannot take away your property for public use w/o paying you for it
6th Amendment = Court/Trial
- guarantees speedy trial
- impartial jury (does not think you are guilty)
- accused can confront witnesses against them and bring their own witnesses
- accused must be allowed to have a lawyer
7th Amendment = Civil Trials (lawsuits)
right to a civil trial (lawsuit) with a jury
8th Amendment = Crime Consequences
- no cruel AND unusual punishment (death penalty is cruel but not unusual. courts ensure a method is “humane”)
- no excessive bail or fines (courts have not made states do this)
- bail must fit crime = insurance you will return to trial = not a permanent Get Out of Jail Card
9th Amendment = Powers Reserved to People
prevents GOV from claiming that the only rights people have are listed in Bill of Rights
10th Amendment - Powers Reserved to States (Federalism)
- protects the States and the people from all-powerful federal government
- establishes that powers not given to Constitution belongs to the States or the people
11
Restricts people from suing states in federal court
12
POTUS and the VP are elected on separate ballots by electoral college
13
Outlawed slavery
14
Citizenship, due process, equal protection, basis of incorporation
15
Voting for black males
16
Income tax
17
Direct election of senators
18
Prohibition of alcohol
19
Women’s suffrage
