The Ten Amendments to the Constitution, later called the Bill of Rights, were passed by a two-thirds vote of the members of the first U.S. Congress and later ratified by the requisite three-fourths of state legislators.
Because many citizens feared that the new central government established by the U.S. Constitution would gain too much power, constitutional amendments were proposed to protect freedom of speech, press, religion, and other basic rights. Ten amendments were passed. Today they are known as the Bill of Rights.
Amendment I (ratified December 15, 1791)
Congress shall make no law establishing any religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.
Amendment II (ratified December 15, 1791)
Since a well-organized militia is necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms must not be infringed.
Amendment III (ratified December 15, 1791)
No soldier shall in time of peace be lodged in any house without the consent of the owner; in time of war it shall be permitted only in the manner prescribed by law.
Amendment IV (ratified December 15, 1791)
The right of the people to the protection of persons, houses, papers, and property against unreasonable searches and arrests shall not be infringed. No warrant shall be issued except upon probable cause supported by oath or solemn declaration, and the warrant shall contain a detailed description of the place to be searched and the persons or articles to be seized.
Amendment V (ratified December 15, 1791)
No person shall be prosecuted for an offense punishable by death or otherwise dishonorable, except upon the presentation or indictment of a grand jury, for a Bill of Rights exception to cases brought in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when called to active duty in time of war for a period of public danger; No person shall be twice threatened with the deprivation of life or bodily integrity for the same offense; no person shall be compelled in a criminal case to testify against himself; no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
Amendment VI (ratified December 15, 1791)
In all cases of criminal prosecution, the accused shall be entitled to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state and county previously established by law where the crime was committed; the accused shall be entitled to be informed of the nature and grounds of the charge, he shall be entitled to confront the witnesses testifying against him, to have witnesses compelled on his part, and to have counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII (ratified December 15, 1791)
In all civil cases based on the common law, in which the amount in controversy exceeds $20, the right to trial by jury shall be preserved; but no fact tried by jury shall be reviewable by any court of the United States except in accordance with the common law.
Amendment VIII (ratified December 15, 1791)
No excessive bail shall be required, or excessive fines imposed, or cruel and unusual penalties imposed.
Amendment IX (ratified December 15, 1791)
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or diminish other rights retained by the people.
Amendment X (ratified December 15, 1791)
The powers which are not delegated to the United States by this Constitution, and the exercise of which is not prohibited by it to the individual states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.