1. Bill of Rights Activity: Rank Them.
___ 1. Freedom of speech ___ 2. Freedom of religion ___ 3. Right to a jury trial ___ 4. Freedom of the press ___ 5. Freedom from cruel and unusual punishments ___ 6. Right to keep and bear arms ___ 7. Right to control your own property ___ 8. Freedom of assembly ___ 9. Freedom from quartering troops in your home ___ 10. Freedom from unreasonable search and seizures
Rank the following rights in order of importance from 1 to 10—with 1 being most important. Note: You only get to keep your top 5. h/t The Bill of Rights Institute, The Bill of Rights and the Founders.

2. Unit Questions What is the Bill of Rights and why is it important?
How do these rights restrain the government?
How can the government restrain these rights?
How should these rights be applied to current issues in our country?

3. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE FOUNDING OF THE NATION… The philosophy of government described in the Declaration of independence. (Drafting and ratification of the Constitution and Bill of Rights)
After the Revolutionary war the American colonies were no longer under British rule. They needed to establish their own government.
The first set of laws created to govern the 13 new states was called the Articles of Confederation.
Under the Articles of Confederation the new country had a weak national government and 13 strong state governments.

4. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE FOUNDING OF THE NATION… The philosophy of government described in the Declaration of independence. (Drafting and ratification of the Constitution and Bill of Rights)
There were too many problems with the Articles of Confederation so the 13 states each sent delegates to a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787.
At the meeting, later called the Constitutional Convention, the delegates developed the Constitution of the United States.

5. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE FOUNDING OF THE NATION… The philosophy of government described in the Declaration of independence. (Drafting and ratification of the Constitution and Bill of Rights)
In order for the Constitution to take effect, nine of the thirteen states had to ratify, or approve, it.
The supporters of the Constitution with a strong national government were called Federalist, those who apposed the Constitution with a strong national government were called Antifederalist.

6. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE FOUNDING OF THE NATION… The philosophy of government described in the Declaration of independence. (Drafting and ratification of the Constitution and Bill of Rights)
The Antifederalist did not want to approve of the Constitution unless it contained a Bill of Rights to protect the basic freedoms of man.
In May,1788 New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution. Enough states had now approved of the Constitution to put it into operation.
In 1791 the Bill of Rights, ten amendments that protected individual rights, was added to the Constitution.

7. Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the 1st 10 Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
It sets out the rights of U.S. citizens. The idea was to protect citizens from government abuse.
Bill of Rights simplified:

8. Which rights did the founders value most?
Right to a jury trial in a criminal case