Requirement 4
Requirement
Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution) and the 14th Amendment
The Bill of Rights
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are called the Bill of Rights. These amendments, which guarantee individual rights and freedoms, were added to the Constitution less than three years after it became effective. James Madison drafted the Bill of Rights, inspired by various documents such as the Magna Carta. These amendments do not give us new liberties; they protect the liberties we already have.
Why are the Bill of Rights Important to Americans?
A Quick Guide to the First 10 Amendments
The 14th Amendment (1868)
The 14th Amendment declares that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” and under its authority are citizens of the United States and the state in which they live. The intention of this amendment, known as the civil rights amendment, was to give citizenship to former slaves. The amendment also forbids states to pass and enforce laws depriving people of their privileges as citizens. It prohibits states from denying people equal protection of their laws or from depriving a person of life, liberty, or property without “due process of law.”
The 14th Amendment declares that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” and under its authority are citizens of the United States and the state in which they live. The intention of this amendment, known as the civil rights amendment, was to give citizenship to former slaves. The amendment also forbids states to pass and enforce laws depriving people of their privileges as citizens. It prohibits states from denying people equal protection of their laws or from depriving a person of life, liberty, or property without “due process of law.”
Votes for Women ‘suffrage parade’ following the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution
Did You Know:
Important milestones, like ending slavery (13th amendment) and granting women the right to vote (19th amendment), were a few amendments that were added to the constitution. Because adding a new amendment requires two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate and must be ratified by a three-fourths vote of the states, changes are rare. The most recent amendment was added on May 5, 1992 — more than 30 years ago.
Now that you know more about the Bill of Rights,
find out more about the meaning of E Pluribus Unum.
