The following information was presented
in this chapter:
Many Americans did not like the Constitution
because they felt that a strong federal government could take away
people's rights. Therefore, most Americans wanted a bill
of rights added onto the Constitution. Because the Constitution
had already been written and placed into effect, the bill of rights
could be added only by making amendments
to the Constitution. At this time, the United States Congress made
a list of the rights that would be amendments to the Constitution,
giving us the Bill of Rights.
The First Amendment-Freedom of Religion, Assembly,
Petition, Press, and Speech
--The First Amendment says that Congress cannot make any laws, which
would limit the freedoms of religion, assembly, petition, press,
and speech.
The Second Amendment-Right to Bear Arms
--The Second Amendment allows people the right to keep and bear
arms (weapons) as part of their state militia.
The Third Amendment-Housing Soldiers
--No soldier shall, in time of peace, stay in any house without
permission from the owner. During a war, if such a law passed in
Congress, then people may
be required to keep soldiers in their homes.
The Fourth Amendment-Search
and Seizure
--Police must have a search
warrant before entering (looking for evidence) in a person's
house.
The Fifth Amendment-The Right to Remain Silent -Protection Against
Double Jeopardy
a) a person cannot be forced to talk about themselves to the police
or in the courtroom.
b) a person cannot be found guilty of a crime if they have already
been found not guilty of that same crime.
The Sixth Amendment-Right to get an Attorney
-Right to a Jury Trial
a) The police must tell the person being arrested that they are
allowed to have an attorney. One will be appointed for the person
if they cannot afford one.
b) A person is allowed the help of a lawyer and heard by a jury.
The person charged with the crime must be told what they were charged
with and shown the evidence the government has against them.
The Seventh Amendment-The Right to a Jury Trial When Suing
--in civil cases, a person still holds the right to have a jury
trial.
The Eighth Amendment-No Cruel and Unusual Punishments
--the arrested person should be treated as fairly as possible, no
matter what. They should receive the same treatment for committing
that crime as everyone else.
The Ninth Amendment-People's Rights
--People have rights that are not listed in the Constitution, and
they cannot be withheld
from those rights.
The Tenth Amendment-States' Rights
--If the Constitution did not give the federal government a particular
right, then it is given to the states or to the people.
Important dates to remember:
1215 Magna Carta
1689 English Bill of Rights
1791 United States Bill of Rights
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