As military fighting during the Revolution ceased, the battleground for the new nation shifted once again to the realm of law and politics. One of the principal disagreements among delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia had to do with the balance of power between the federal government, state legislatures, and individual citizens. The debate took place among the Federalists, who favored a strong centralized authority, and the anti-Federalists, who were concerned with states rights and individual liberties. At the Convention, the former prevailed, but only after promising to amend the Constitution, ratified in 1789, with a "Bill of Rights" that would assuage the concerns of the latter. Inspired by James Madison - the Federalist icon who helped to broker the Convention deal with anti-Federalists - the proposed amendments were submitted to Congress, and accepted, in September 1789. Following much public debate and acrimony, Virginia became the tenth state to ratify them on December 15, 1791, thus making the Bill of Rights an official part of the U.S. Constitution. Comprised of the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights safeguards a number of important rights - including the right to free speech and assembly (First Amendment), the right to bear arms (Second), the right to due process (Fifth), and the right to counsel and public trial by jury (Sixth). The final act of the Revolution, the Bill of Rights has been the site of fierce debates over constitutional interpretation throughout American history.
-----
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
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.
Amendment III
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.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration of the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.