"The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, strongly influenced Madison.
One of the many points of contention between Federalists and Anti-Federalists was the Constitution's lack of a bill of rights that would place specific limits on government power. Federalists argued that the Constitution did not need a bill of rights, because the people and the states kept any powers not given to the federal government. Anti-Federalists held that a bill of rights was necessary to safeguard individual liberty.
Madison, then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, went through the Constitution itself, making changes where he thought most appropriate. But several Representatives, led by Roger Sherman, objected that Congress had no authority to change the wording of the Constitution itself. Therefore, Madison's changes were presented as a list of amendments that would follow Article VII.
The House approved 17 amendments. Of these 17, the Senate approved 12. Those 12 were sent to the states for approval in August of 1789. Of those 12, 10 were quickly approved (or, ratified). Virginia's legislature became the last to ratify the amendments on December 15, 1791.
The Bill of Rights is a list of limits on government power. For example, what the Founders saw as the natural right of individuals to speak and worship freely was protected by the First Amendment's prohibitions on Congress from making laws establishing a religion or abridging freedom of speech. For another example, the natural right to be free from unreasonable government intrusion in one's home was safeguarded by the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirements.
Other precursors to the Bill of Rights include English documents such as the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, the English Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Body of Liberties." - Bill of Rights Institute; http://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/
| 2135506248 | 1st Amendment | - Freedom of Speech - Freedom of the Press - Freedom of Assembly - Freedom to Petition - Freedom of Religion *Establishment clause: Congress can't support one religion over another *Free Exercise clause | 0 | |
| 2135506249 | 2nd Amendment | - Allows for personal ownership of weapons. - Right to Bear Arms or own guns | 1 | |
| 2135506250 | 3rd Amendment | - The government cannot force people to quarter (house) Troops | 2 | |
| 2135506251 | 4th Amendment | - Protection against Unreasonable Search and Seizure - No searches without a warrant | 3 | |
| 2135506252 | 5th Amendment | - No double jeopardy - Can't force a defendant to incriminate themselves - Can't fine, jail or kill you without a trial. - Eminent Domain (government able to seize property) | 4 | |
| 2135506253 | 6th Amendment | - The right to a speedy and public trial by jury - informed of charges - right to face accuser - right to have witnesses for you - right to an attorney (defense lawyer) | 5 | |
| 2135506254 | 7th Amendment | - right to trial of civil court | 6 | |
| 2135506255 | 8th Amendment | - Prohibits excessive bails, fines and cruel punishments | 7 | |
| 2135506256 | 9th Amendment | - Just because the Constitution doesn't mention a right doesn't mean you don't have that right. - Rights not included in Constitution go to the people | 8 | |
| 2135506257 | 10th Amendment | - If it is not a specific power given to the federal government, then it is given to the states (contradicts with Necessary & Proper clause) - No warrant with out probable cause (reasonable reason to search) | 9 |
