Cogan, Neil H., ed. The Complete Bill of Rights: The Drafts, Debates, Sources, and Origins. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997
September 25, 1789, Federal Congress.
Proposed twelve amendments to the Constitution, only 10 were ratified.
Were done to protect liberties not originally purposed in the congress.
Originally Purposed by James Madison on June 8th
Bill of rights 11/28/06 http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/bill_of_rights.html
Some states demanded these amendments when they joined the Union. Others assumed those were given rights.
The first 2 amendments had to be ratified by the entire assembly, the last 10, the ones approved, needed only ¾.
WIKI Written already
Affects the way American law is practiced today.
Before the bill of rights, the federal government had little authority to veto taxes; one state had the power to veto federal bills.
John Locke supported the bill by saying that the point of government was to protect rights that all people deserve: Life, liberty, and property.
The basic tenants of the English Bill of rights were adopted in to the United states, including:
Taxation without representation
Freedom from the draft in peacetime.
Right to bear arms in self defense
Right to elect your own representatives.
Right to a fair trial and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.
Cooper, Barry, and Peter Woll. "Bill of rights." World Book Online Reference Center. 2006. [Place of access. Date of access.] <http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Article?id=ar059540>.
The bill of rights came in to affect on Dec. 15, 1791
The first 8 amendments were to determine the rights of every citizen
The 9th Amendments purpose was to forbid the government to limit freedoms and rights that are not listed in the Constitution.
The 10th amendment says that the government can only do what its allowed in the constitution.
The bill of rights also applies to state governments.
Freedom of speech has one exception, if it creates a clear and present danger to society, a person is not protected by the first amendment.
Jones, Harry Willmer. "Bill of Rights." Encyclopedia Americana. 2006. Grolier Online. 29 Nov. 2006 http://ea.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0047310-00
Def bill of rights: a formal constitutional declaration or legislative assertion by which a government both defines fundamental rights and liberties of its citizens and establishes their protection against arbitrary or capricious interference or infringement by the government.
Defines the basis of all rights of the accused and basic human rights.
Separate, smaller bills of rights, and were implemented to create more specific rights.
One of the most important ideas in the bill of rights is the idea that a law can not be approved by just an executive; it has to be ratified by the elected representatives.
Many states blackmailed the contential congress, saying they would only ratify the constitution if the bill of rights was approved.
The state governments were not limited by the constitutions restrictions, only the federal government, until the bill of rights was amended in 1868.
The amendment of the bill of rights stated that: life, liberty, and property were to be protected by state laws, and under the subsection liberty, were the rest of the 7 amendmants.
Edwin L. Jackson The Georgia Studies Book University of Georgia 29 Nov, 2006
States can make and prosecute their own laws other than whats stated in the constitution.
There are many things reserved for only the states to govern as the please:
Regulate marriage and divorce
Operate public schools and colleges.
License Occupations
Conduct elections
Regulate political parties and public traffic.
Jacob Stephens the 4th Telephone Interview 29 Nov. 2006
The first 8 amendments deal with personal freedoms
The last 2 amendments deal with state rights.
Was proposed so all the states would ratify the constitution.
The first amendment expressed the rights of freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceful assembly and petition.
The second amendment stated that all states were allowed to form and keep militias, and all citizens have the right to bear arms.