10th Amendment: Powers of States and People (1791)

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. 

The picture to the right explains what the 10th Amendment states: What's not listed in the Constitution isn't within the federal governments power, but within the states' power.

9th Amendment: Rights of People (1791)

The ninth amendment makes it clear that all the rights spelled out in the Constitution aren't the end of rights as we know them. It makes it clear that there are rights reserved to people that aren't spelled out in the Constitution - Chris Barron

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

8th Amendment: Limits of Fines and Punishments (1791)

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

The cartoon shows an example of unusual punishment for the criminal in the chair. The 8th amendment ensures the right of no excessive bail or fine & no cruel or unusual punishments inflicted upon the people of the United States.

7th Amendment: Trial by Jury in Civil Cases (1791)

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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. 


Basically, the seventh amendment states that no court case will be looked at if the case is worth less than $20.

6th Amendment: Right to a Speedy, Public Trial (1791)

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 defense. 


(Citizens of the U.S. get the right to a fair trial, as stated in the 6th Amendment)

5th Amendment: Rights of Accused Persons (1791)

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 offense 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.

4th Amendment: Search and Seizure (1791)

A warrant is needed to subject someone to search and seizure

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.

3rd Amendment: Quatering Troops (1791)

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. 

  

This amendment states that during peace or war no soldier will be quartered unless the owner of the house consents to it.  

2nd Amendment: Right to Bear Arms (1791)

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. 

 The people of the United States of America
 are allowed the right to bear arms (guns).





(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)

1st Amendment: Religious and Political Freedom (1791)

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.

Freedom of Religion: Right to Worship

 The people of the United States
 of America are allowed to practice
any religion they want.

  






Freedom of Speech: Right to State Ideas

 The people of the United States
 of America are allowed the right
 to speak their minds freely.




 Martin Luther King Jr. giving a speech 




Freedom of the Press: Right to Publish Ideas

 
The people of the United States
are allowed the freedom to press.

Introduction

In the year of 1787, Thomas Jefferson sent a letter to  James Madison about the Constitution. In his letter, Jefferson wrote: "I will now add what I do not like...[there is no] bill of rights. A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth...and what no just government should refuse." Several states had also agreed to approve the Constitution if a list of guaranteed rights were added. As a result, James Madison helped draft the Bill of Rights. In the year of 1791, the first ten amendments were added to the Constitution.