The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, adopted as a single unit in 1791. It outlines fundamental civil rights and liberties that protect individuals in relation to the government, including freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to bear arms, among others.
Key Rights and Protections in the Bill of Rights:
- Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition (First Amendment)
- Right to keep and bear arms (Second Amendment)
- Protection against housing soldiers without consent (Third Amendment)
- Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (Fourth Amendment)
- Rights related to criminal prosecutions such as protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, and the right to due process (Fifth Amendment)
- Rights to a speedy trial, impartial jury, and legal counsel (Sixth Amendment)
- Right to trial by jury in civil cases (Seventh Amendment)
- Protection against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment (Eighth Amendment)
- The recognition that listing certain rights does not mean others do not exist (Ninth Amendment)
- Powers not granted to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people (Tenth Amendment).
The Bill of Rights was created to address concerns that the original Constitution did not sufficiently protect individual freedoms and to limit the government's power over citizens.
