1. The Bill of Rights
Chapter 6

2. What is the Bill of Rights and who wanted it anyway?
A citizen’s list of rights
The Anti-Federalists fought for it
We probably would not have a Constitution today had the Framers not agreed to add the Bill of Rights to the amendments

3. Document Flashback The Bill of Rights drew from the:
Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, and State Constitutions

4. Events leading to the Bill of Rights
June Constitution ratified by required 9 states
June 1789-James Madison proposes a bill of rights
August Congress begins preparing a debating a list of constitutional amendments
Sept Congress approves the amendments and proposes to the states
December 1791-The first ten amendments, AKA, The Bill of Rights, ratified by the states

5. The Amendment Process
Proposed by Congress by a 2/3 vote in both houses.
Ratified by state legislatures of ¾ of the states.
Ratified by conventions held in ¾ of the states.
Proposed by Convention called by Congress on request of 2/3 of state legislatures.
Ratified by state legislatures of ¾ of the states.
Ratified by conventions held in ¾ of the states.

6. The Amendment Process
All amendments we have today have been proposed by Congress
It takes a long time to go through the process because broad support is needed
The formal process occurs in Congress or a Convention

7. Protections of the Bill of Rights
Protect citizens’ rights against actions by the national government
Many Americans today take rights for granted
Imagine being jailed for your religious beliefs!
Imagine the government telling you what to watch and read!
Basic Rights Protected Under Our Government:
1. Individual freedoms
2. Protections against government abuse of power
3. Rights of citizens accused of crimes

8. The First Amendment Freedom of religion Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of petition

9. What do the freedoms in the first amendment mean?
Religion-you can practice the religion of your choosing or none at all
Speech- you can speak and write freely; except slander or lies that damage another’s reputation, endangering lives
Press- people may criticize the government without fearing arrest; limits include libel, printing lies about others, endangering lives
Assembly- right to assemble or meet together
Petition- ask the government for help

10. Protections Against Abuse and Power
Second Amendment
Protects the right to possess firearms
Stems from the American Revolution
Third Amendment
The government may not require people to house soldiers during peacetime
Stems from colonial period when still under English control.

11. Protections Against Abuse and Power
Fourth Amendment
Protects from unreasonable search and seizures
Fifth Amendment
Government must pay owners a fair price for their property under eminent domain

12. Protections of the Accused
Fifth Amendment:
No one may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
The Miranda Warning
Accused rights explained
Where did this come from?
Miranda v. Arizona
You may not be forced to be a witness against yourself (self-incrimination)
Double Jeopardy protection

13. Protections of the Accused
Sixth Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in criminal cases
Seventh Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in most civil cases
Eighth Amendment
Prohibits excessive bail, fines, or punishments

14. Rights of the People and States
Ninth Amendment
Rights not mentioned in the Constitution belong to the people
Tenth Amendment
Declares that powers not given to the national government belong to the states or the people