The Amendments to the Constitution 1. Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and press, and the right to assemble peaceably and petition the government for redress of grievances (to ask it to fix something that it’s responsible for). The belief was strong that a well regulated militia (such as the National Guard, in modern times) was. A brief synopsis of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution, along with links to articles on each, is provided in the table. First Amendment 1791 prohibits laws 'respecting an establishment of religion' and protects freedoms of religion, speech, and the press and the rights to assemble peaceably. Constitution was adopted by delegates at the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. Use the printables, references, and lessons below to examine the significance of this document in American history. Otis Secretary of the Senate.On September 25, 1789, Congress transmitted to the state legislatures twelve proposed amendments, two of which, having to do with Congressional representation and Congressional pay, were not adopted. The remaining ten amendments became the Bill of Rights. Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the. First Amendment Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition. Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791. The first 10 amendments form the Bill of Rights.
Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
The Amendments 1 27 Printable
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the “Bill of Rights.”
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment 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.
Amendment 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 in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, 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.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
For Kids
Constitutional amendments are laws - big laws that make big changes. Amendments are laws that are added to the Constitution of the United States. The writers of the Constitution did not want to make adding an amendment impossible, just very tough. They understood that things change over time, and they wanted the Constitution to be able to carefully change as well, if enough people agreed a change was needed. To do this, they wrote how to add an amendment to the Constitution right into the Constitution, so there would be no confusion about what it would take to add or to take away any right or rights of the states or people of the United States of America.
Over 11,000 amendments have been introduced in Congress since the Constitution was first drafted. Out of the 11,000+ proposals, only 27 amendments have been approved, and the first 10 of those are called the Bill of Rights - the 10 amendments that were added to the Constitution before the states would ratify (agree to) the Constitution. Adding an amendment to the Constitution is a very big deal.
So what does it take to add an amendment? The answer is a great deal of time and discussion and a whole lot of people agreeing that this is something which simply must be done. In brief - 2/3 of the Senate and Congress must approve the amendment; then it is sent to the states to ratify, and 3/4 of the states must agree to approve it before it can be added to the Constitution. So far, not counting the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments), only 17 additional amendments have made it successfully through this process.
For Teachers
Lesson Idea:
Write an amendment to the Constitution about which you feel strongly today. Use the language of the existing Constitution.