The document summarizes the Bill of Rights, which are the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. It provides details on the rights protected by each amendment such as freedom of religion, speech, press, trial by jury, protection from unlawful search and seizure, self-incrimination, and cruel and unusual punishment. It also explains that many of these rights stemmed from abusive actions by the British before the American Revolution.

2. Bill of Rights
• Added in order to get Anti-
Federalists to agree to ratify the
new Constitution.
• The first ten amendments to the
Constitution.
• An amendment is an addition to
the Constitution.

3. First Amendment
• Protects freedom of religion, speech, the
press, to assemble peacefully.
• Protects the freedom for people to
petition (request) the government.
British Actions before the Revolution
which caused this to be put into Bill of
Rights.
• Limited these rights of the colonists
(except religion)

4. Second Amendment
• Guarantees the right to bear arms.
• This means the right to own weapons.
In particular, guns.
British Actions before the Revolution
which caused this to be put into Bill of
Rights.
• Tried to take colonist’s weapons.

5. Third Amendment
• States that the government cannot
force people to house soldiers in their
homes during times of peace.
British Actions before the Revolution
which caused this to be put into Bill of
Rights.
• Quartering Act

6. Fourth Amendment
• States that people, their homes or
their belongings are protected from
unreasonable searches or seizures.
• Search warrants may not be issued
without probable cause (good
reason).
• British Actions before the
Revolution which caused this to be
put into Bill of Rights.
• Writs of Assistance

7. Fifth Amendment
• A person accused of a crime is
entitled to Due Process of Law.
• People cannot be forced to testify
against themselves.
British Actions before the
Revolution which caused this to be
put into Bill of Rights.
• British denied colonists due
process.

8. Fifth Amendment
• If a person is found not guilty of a
crime, they cannot be put on trial
for the same crime again.
• This is called Double Jeopardy.
• The government cannot take
private property for public use
without giving compensation to the
owner.
• This is called Eminent Domain.

9. Sixth Amendment
• The accused has a right to a
lawyer.
• If one cannot be afforded, one will
be appointed.
• They have a right to see and to
question those people who
accused them of the crime.

10. Sixth Amendment
• Guarantees a fair and speedy public trial.
• Trial must be in the state and district
where the crime took place.
• The accused has the right to be told what
they are accused of.
British Actions before the Revolution
which caused this to be put into Bill of
Rights.
• Colonists were sent to England for trial.
• Colonists were denied trial by jury. Case
was heard by a British judge.

11. Seventh Amendment
• Guarantees a trial by jury in civil
cases.
• These are non criminal cases.

12. Eighth Amendment
• Guarantees that excessive bail
(money paid to be released to
ensure appearance in court) or
excessive fines will not be
imposed.
• Punishment will not be cruel or
unusual.

13. Ninth Amendment
• States that the people have other
rights that are not stated in the
Constitution.
• Examples: To travel, where you
live or work.

14. Tenth Amendment
• States that the people and the
states have all the rights not given
to the U.S. government or
forbidden to state governments by
the Constitution.
• Examples: The existence of state
governments. Marriage is not
stated in the Constitution.

15. Amending the Constitution
• Amendments are official changes,
corrections or additions to the
Constitution.

16. Amending the Constitution
Proposed by National
Convention called
by Congress at
Request of 2/3 of
state
legislatures
Proposed by
Congress
by 2/3 vote
In each house
Ratified by
Legislatures in
¾ of states
Ratified by
Conventions in
¾ of states
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