During the Constitutional Convention, several delegates proposed a bill of rights to be added to the Constitution. This way, a new national gov't couldn't abuse its power. However, most of the delegates believed the Constitution provided adequate individual rights. The Constitution was ratified in 1787 and the Bill of Rights was added in 1791. The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. They are: Amendment I
This guarantees the freedom of religion, speech, press, and peaceable assembly, to petition the gov't. Amendment II
Guarantees the right to bear arms. Amendment III Guarantees no quartering of soldiers, without the consent of the home owner. The third amendment is hard for us to understand today because of the rights we all enjoy. No one has ever made an American in the 21st century put up a soldier for the night, but housing the military was something colonials had to do before and during the revolution. This amendment guarantees you will not have to feed and house soldiers against your will. Amendment IV This amendment guarantees the freedom from unreasonable searches and seizure. Amendment V - The right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy. This means you can't be tried twice for the same crime. Amendment VI concerns the right to a speedy and public trial and the right to have an attorney. Under the 6th amendment you aren't guaranteed a good lawyer, but at least they should know the law better than most. Amendment VII
is the right of trial by jury in civil cases. Amendment VIII -
The freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.
Amendment IX says that rights not listed may exist, and just because they are not listed doesn't mean they can be violated.
Amendment X - The powers not given to the federal government by the Constitution are retained by the states. The first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution are The Bill of Rights. As of 2022, there are now 33 total amendments.