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The Bill of Rights
To get the necessary votes
to approve the Constitution, a number of changes (amendments) had to be
made. These 10 original amendments are called the Bill of Rights. They
guarantee all Americans some very basic rights, including the right to
worship and speak freely and the right to have a jury trial. The first
eight amendments grant individual rights and freedoms. The ninth and tenth
amendments prevent Congress from passing laws that would deprive citizens
of these rights.
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1
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People have the right
to worship, to speak freely, to gather together, and to question
the government.
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2
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People have the right
to bear arms.
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3
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The government cannot
have soldiers stay in People’s homes without their permission.
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4
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People and their
property cannot be searched without the written permission of a
judge.
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5
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People cannot be
tried for a serious crime without a jury. They cannot be tried twice
for the same crime or be forced to testify against themselves. Also,
they cannot have property taken away while they are on trial. Any
property taken for public use must receive a fair price.
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6
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In criminal cases,
people have a right to a speedy and public trial, to be told what
they are accused of, to hear witnesses against them, to get witnesses
in their favor, and to have a lawyer.
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7
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In cases involving
more than $20, people have the right for a jury trial.
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8
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People have a right
to fair bail (money given as a promise the person will return for
trial) and to fair fines and punishments
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9
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People have rights
that are not listed in the Constitution
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10
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Powers not given
to the federal government are given to the states or to the people.
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The Other Amendments
The Constitution and the
Bill of Rights were ratified in 1791. Since that time, more than 7,000
amendments in the Constitution have been proposed. Because three-fourths
of the states must approve an amendment before it becomes law, just 27
amendments have been passed. Following are the remaining 17 amendments
other than the Bill of Rights.
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1
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A person cannot sue
a state in federal court (1795).
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2
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The President and
Vice President are elected separately (1804).
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3
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Slavery is abolishes
(1865).
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4
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All persons born
in the United States or those who have become citizens enjoy full
citizenship rights (1868).
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5
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Voting rights are
given to all [adult male] citizens regardless of race, creed, or
color (1870).
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6
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Congress has the
power to collect income taxes (1913).
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7
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United States Senators
are elected directly by the people (1913).
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8
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Making, buying, and
selling alcoholic beverages is no longer allowed (1919).
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9
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Women have the right
to vote (1920).
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10
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The President’s term
begins January 20; Senators’ and Representatives’ terms begin January
3 (1933).
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11
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(Repeals Amendment
18) Alcoholic beverages can be made, bought, and sold again (1933).
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12
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The President is
limited to two elected terms (1951).
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13
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District of Columbia
residents gain the right to vote (1961).
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14
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All voter poll taxes
are forbidden (1964).
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15
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If the Presidency
is vacant, the Vice President takes over. If the Vice Presidency
is vacant, the President names someone and the Congress votes on
the choice (1967).
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16
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Citizens 18 years
old gain the right to vote (1971).
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17
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No law changing the
pay for members of Congress will take effect until after an election
of Representatives (1992).
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Links of
Interest:
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FAQ
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