Bill of Rights

PERFORMED BY ARTEM WERSHININ

543 GROUP

After the war for independence The most important disagreement was how to

govern the new country. Some people wanted the nation to be a loose organization

of states. They believed that citizens in each state should govern themselves.

Others wanted a powerful national government to solve the problems of the new

country. Each state had to give up some of its power so that the nation could be

stronger.

Articles of Confederation (1781-1788). There was no president. National

Congress (a lawmaking body) consisted of the Senate and the House of

Representatives. Congress was given authority to declare war, to establish an

army and navy, to issue and borrow money. The Articles gave most power to

the states. Each one could cast one vote in Congress. A law could be passed

only if nine of the thirteen states voted for it.

Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Convention In

spring 1787 the states sent their 55

representatives to Philadelphia in

order to take part in the

Constitutional Convention and to

write a new plan of government.

This group included: George

Washington, Benjamin Franklin,

James Madison.

The project of the constitution was

composed by James Madison.

Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia

The Constitution

The project included Locke’s idea that

the purpose of government is to

protect natural rights of people to life,

liberty and property. If a government

fails to do so, the people have the

right to rebel against it. He was

convinced that political power came

from the people.

The United States Constitution was

adopted on September 17, 1787, by

the Constitutional Convention in

Philadelphia.

The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to

the United States Constitution. Proposed to assuage the fears of Anti-

Federalists who had opposed Constitutional ratification, these

amendments guarantee a number of personal freedoms, limit the

government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and reserve

some powers to the states and the public.

Bill of Rights

The amendments were introduced

by James Madison to the 1st United

States Congress as a series of legislative

articles. They were adopted by the House

of Representatives on August 21, 1789,

formally proposed by joint resolution of

Congress on September 25, 1789, and

came into effect as Constitutional

Amendments on December 15, 1791,

through the process of ratification by

three-fourths of the states.

James Madison

The content of the Bill of Rights

In federal criminal cases it requires indictment

by a grand jury for any capital offense, or

infamous crime, guarantees a speedy public

trial with an impartial jury in the district in

which the crime occurred, and prohibits

double jeopardy.

The Bill of Rights enumerates freedoms not explicitly indicated in the main body

of the Constitution, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to

keep and bear arms, the freedom of assembly and the freedom to petition. It also

prohibits unreasonable search and seizure, cruel and unusual punishment and

compelled self-incrimination.

The Bill of Rights – Full Text

I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridgingthe freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the governmentfor a redress of grievances.

II. A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms,shall not be infringed.

III. No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but ina manner to be prescribed by law.

IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches andseizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation,and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment ofa grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war orpublic danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall becompelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without dueprocess of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of thestate and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained bylaw, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; tohave compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

VII. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall bepreserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according tothe rules of the common law.

VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained bythe people.

X. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to thestates respectively, or to the people.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org

http://ru.wikipedia.org

http://billofrightsinstitute.org

http://www.humanrights.com

Thank you for attention !