United States Bill of Rights  Bill of Rights, first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. The Bill of Rights establishes basic American civil liberties that the government cannot violate.  The states ratified the Bill of Rights in 1791, three years after the Constitution was ratified.  Originally the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government.  Bill of Rights, first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. The Bill of Rights establishes basic American civil liberties that the government cannot violate.  The states ratified the Bill of Rights in 1791, three years after the Constitution was ratified.  Originally the Bill of Rights applied only to the federal government.

Rights Protected The Bill of Rights includes a wide range of protections with a common theme and purpose. to define the scope of individual freedom in the United States and to make the political system more democratic. The Bill of Rights includes a wide range of protections with a common theme and purpose. to define the scope of individual freedom in the United States and to make the political system more democratic.

Origin of the Bill of Right personal liberties brought from England to America included the right of accused persons to have legal assistance at trials The most important of these were the right to trial by jury and the right of habeas corpus, which prevented the government from jailing people arbitrarily. personal liberties brought from England to America included the right of accused persons to have legal assistance at trials The most important of these were the right to trial by jury and the right of habeas corpus, which prevented the government from jailing people arbitrarily.

Agitation for New Rights The June 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for the United States Bill of Rights, which was ratified by the states in the right to petition the government for change, and 'all the inherent rights and liberties' of people native to England. The idea of a bill of rights as a basic protection of civil liberties thus dates to the American Revolution. The June 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for the United States Bill of Rights, which was ratified by the states in the right to petition the government for change, and 'all the inherent rights and liberties' of people native to England. The idea of a bill of rights as a basic protection of civil liberties thus dates to the American Revolution.