Bill of Rights
What did the Constitution describe?
How the nation's new national government would work.
Who does the Bill of Rights protect?
American citizens.
Which Amendment stops the government from making laws that take away basic freedom?
First Amendment.
What does the Second Amendment protect?
Each state needs a militia or an army of citizens.
Keep and bear arms.
What is the Fifth Amendment?
protects the rights of Americans who are accused of a crime.
What were people suspicious about?
A strong central government that could abuse its powers.
Why did Americans want to be protected from a strong central government?
Americans had already fought a war because British rule had note respected their rights, and they did not want this to happen again.
The First Amendment includes which freedoms.
religion, speech, assembly, and the press.
What does the Second Amendment protect today?
The right to own guns.
What is the Sixth Amendment?
Anyone accused of a crime has the right to a fair trial.
What did Americans want included in the Constitution?
A bill, or list, of rights for citizens.
When did Congress vote to approve the ten amendments?
September 25, 1789.
What does freedom of speech protect?
People's right to give opinions.
Americans can criticize government and express unpopular ideas.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
Forbids unreasonable searches and seizures by government officials.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
Protects people from being treated unfairly by a court of law.
Which Founding Father proposed a set of amendments?
James Madison
Enough states had given approval of the Bill of Rights by when?
December 15, 1791.
What are the limits to Freedom of Speech?
Cannot use this right to harm others.
What can the government not do under the Fourth Amendment?
Cannot search people's homes or business.
What else does Eighth Amendment forbid?
Fines and bail cannot be excessive.
Who had to approve the amendments?
Congress and the states.
Who interprets how the Constitution applies to different situations?
The courts.
What rights do Freedom of Press protect?
Have right to report news and give opinions in newspapers and other forms.
What does the government need to search a home and who gives that order?
A warrant and is given by a judge.
What is the Third Amendment?
Government cannot force citizens to let soldiers live in their homes.