The Bill of Rights PART 1
What is the 1st Amendment about?
It is for the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, and freedom to assemble. Freedom of press means to be able to write without being scolded. Freedom to assemble means to be able to gather together without being scolded.
What is the 2nd Amendment about?
The 2nd Amendment allows us to bear arms to protect ourselves.
Why was creating a new government difficult?
Creating a new government was difficult because people did not agree on how much government was needed.
Who were some of the leaders that traveled to meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Some of the leaders who traveled to meet in Philadelphia were James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.
What was one worry about the Constitution?
One worry about the Constitution was that it did not list the rights and freedoms that all Americans should have.
What is the name of the first 10 Amendments?
It is called the Bill of Rights.
What are the biggest words on the first page of the Constitution?
We the people
What is the 3rd Amendment about?
The 3rd Amendment is the right to NOT quarter soldiers in your home.
What is the 4th Amendment about?
The 4th Amendment is to protect us from unreasonable search and seizure.
From whom did the Americans win their independence?
The Americans won their independence from the British.
Who is known as the Father of the Constitution?
James Madison is known as the Father of the Constitution.
Why was it important for the states to act together?
It was important for the states to act together so they would last as one United States under the Constitution.
Who became the first president of the United States of America?
George Washington became the first president of the United States of America.
What do you think “We the people” means?
The people, not a king or a president, get to decide what laws the country will have.
What is the 5th Amendment about?
The 5th Amendment allows us to have due process of law if you are accused.
What is the 6th Amendment about?
The 6th Amendment gives us the right to a fair and speedy trail.
What did the Americans have to figure out after the American Revolutionary War ended?
The Americans had to figure out a way to govern themselves.
What did the leaders decide to do when making the Constitution?
The leaders decided to compromise, which meant they all had to accept that they would not get exactly what they wanted.
What did some people want to add to the Constitution?
Some people wanted to add a bill of rights to the Constitution that guaranteed freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.
What did James Madison do after he was elected to Congress?
He worked on a set of amendments to the Constitution.
Where can the original signed copy of the Constitution be found?
The Constitution is displayed at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C.
What is the 7th Amendment about?
The 7th Amendment gives us the right to a trail by jury, people who will decide if you are guilty or not guilty.
What is the 8th Amendment about?
The 8th Amendment protects us from cruel and unusual punishment.
Why were the years of fighting the British hard?
The years of fighting the British were hard because the men had to leave their farms and families in order to fight in the war.
Why did the leaders at the meeting decide to keep their talks a secret?
The leaders kept their talks a secret because they didn’t want anyone to find out what they were saying before they had made up their minds.
Why were some Americans against the Constitution?
Some Americans were worried that the new Constitution gave too much power to the national government.
What kind of government did Thomas Jefferson say Americans had created?
He said Americans had created a new kind of government that would make it easier to solve problems through discussion and voting.
What are two important changes to American laws that were made through amendments to the Constitution?
Amendments to the Constitution ended slavery and also allowed women to vote.
What is the 9th Amendment about?
The 9th Amendment tells us not all rights are listed in the Constitution.
What is the 10th Amendment about?
The 10th Amendment tells us power that is not given to the government belongs to the people.
Why were strong leaders needed?
Strong leaders were needed to show that if people from all thirteen states worked together, America could become a strong country.
Why were the leaders traveling to meet one another?
They were traveling to figure out how a new American government would work and what powers it would have.
What was needed in order for the Constitution to be approved, so that the new American government could begin?
At least nine of the thirteen states had to vote yes to approve the Constitution.
What did James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton want to explain to Americans? Why?
They wanted to explain to Americans what the Constitution was supposed to do and how it worked. They believed that if people understood the Constitution, they would think it was good and they would vote for it.
What was unique about the writing of the Constitution?
The Constitution was the first time in history when a group of people came together to give power to their government while also limiting that power.