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The Bill of Rights: What Makes it So important?
The Bill of Rights: What Makes it So important?
The Bill of Rights is a collection of amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantees essential rights and protections for American citizens. Discover why these ten amendments have remained a cornerstone of American law and society for over two hundred years.
Background
Background
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
These words first appeared in the Declaration of Independence, but their spirit also influenced the writing of the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was created to protect Americans' fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, from government encroachment. It was ratified in 1791, a few years after the Constitution was established
First amendment
First amendment
What It Protects
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of the Press
Right to Assemble Peacefully
Right to Petition the government
Why it matters
The First Amendment protects our right to express ourselves, worship as we please, and hold our government accountable. Without it, we could not criticize authority or advocate for change.
a famous example
The landmark Supreme Court case of New York Times v. Sullivan solidified freedom of the press when the Court held that the First Amendment protected all statements made about public officials unless they were made with actual malice.
Second Amendment
Second Amendment
What it Says
What it Says
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
What it means
What it means
The Founding Fathers felt that citizens should be able to protect themselves against the government and any other threat to their wellbeing or personal freedom. The Second Amendment granted citizens that right — giving them the ability to defend themselves and their property.
controversy
controversy
The Second Amendment was added to the Constitution in 1791, during a time when many Americans believed that the government wanted to disarm them and consolidate power. Today, it remains one of the most controversial amendments.
Gun control and the right to bear arms have been hotly debated in recent years, especially after several mass shootings. While some believe the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own guns, others argue that it puts public safety at risk.
third Amendment
third Amendment
What it says
What it says
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
What it means
What it means
The Third Amendment prevents the government from forcing citizens to provide lodging for soldiers in their own homes during peacetime.
Why it matters
Why it matters
Although the Third Amendment is rarely invoked today, its purpose was to protect against government abuses of power. The Founding Fathers believed that a standing army could be used to oppress citizens, and they enacted this amendment to prevent the government from forcing citizens to house soldiers.
A little known case
A little known case
The Third Amendment has only been invoked a few times in U.S. history. In 2013, a Nevada family successfully sued the city of Henderson after police forced their way into their home, set up camp, and used it as a lookout for domestic-violence suspects
Fourth Amendment
Fourth Amendment
your home is your castle!
your home is your castle!
The Fourth Amendment protects your right to privacy in your own home. Unless the police have a warrant or probable cause, they cannot search your home or take your property.
(some) privacy in public
(some) privacy in public
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