Chapter 6

A citizen’s list of rights

The Anti-Federalists fought for it

We probably would not have a Constitution today had the Framers not agreed to add the Bill of Rights to the amendments

The Bill of Rights drew from the:

Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, and State Constitutions

June 1788- Constitution ratified by required 9 states

June 1789-James Madison proposes a bill of rights

August 1789- Congress begins preparing a debating a list of constitutional amendments

Sept. 1789-Congress approves the amendments and proposes to the states

December 1791-The first ten amendments, AKA, The Bill of Rights, ratified by the states

The Amendment ProcessProposed by Congress

by a 2/3 vote in both houses.

Ratified by state legislatures of ¾ of the states.

Ratified by conventions held in ¾ of the states.

Proposed by Convention called by Congress on request of 2/3 of state legislatures.

Ratified by state legislatures of ¾ of the states.

Ratified by conventions held in ¾ of the states.

All amendments we have today have been proposed by Congress

It takes a long time to go through the process because broad support is needed

The formal process occurs in Congress or a Convention

Protect citizens’ rights against actions by the national government

Many Americans today take rights for grantedImagine being jailed for your religious beliefs!Imagine the government telling you what to

watch and read!Basic Rights Protected Under Our Government:

1. Individual freedoms2. Protections against government abuse of

power3. Rights of citizens accused of crimes

The First AmendmentFreedom of

religionFreedom of

speechFreedom of the

pressFreedom of

assemblyFreedom of

petition

1. Religion-you can practice the religion of your choosing or none at all

2. Speech- you can speak and write freely; except slander or lies that damage another’s reputation, endangering lives

3. Press- people may criticize the government without fearing arrest; limits include libel, printing lies about others, endangering lives

4. Assembly- right to assemble or meet together5. Petition- ask the government for help

Protections Against Abuse and PowerSecond Amendment

Protects the right to possess firearmsStems from the American Revolution

Third AmendmentThe government may not require people to

house soldiers during peacetimeStems from colonial period when still under

English control.

Protections Against Abuse and PowerFourth

AmendmentProtects from

unreasonable search and seizures

Fifth AmendmentGovernment must

pay owners a fair price for their property under eminent domain

Protections of the AccusedFifth Amendment:No one may be deprived of

life, liberty, or property without due process of law

The Miranda WarningAccused rights explained

Where did this come from?Miranda v. Arizona

You may not be forced to be a witness against yourself (self-incrimination)

Double Jeopardy protection

Protections of the AccusedSixth Amendment

Right to a trial by jury in criminal cases

Seventh AmendmentRight to a trial by

jury in most civil cases

Eighth AmendmentProhibits excessive

bail, fines, or punishments

Rights of the People and StatesNinth Amendment

Rights not mentioned in the Constitution belong to the people

Tenth AmendmentDeclares that

powers not given to the national government belong to the states or the people