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One of the most important documents guaranteeing to all Americans most of what we mean by
"Constitutional rights" is the Bill of Rights
. Following the Revolutionary War, the United States was
governed for
several years under the Articles of
Confederation. During these years the Articles proved unsatisfactory. As a
result, a Constitutional Convention
was called for the purpose of preparing a new constitution for the United
States. The Constitution
was completed in 1787 and was submitted to the various states for their ratification
.
The promise of a bill of rights ensuring the
liberties of the citizens contributed to the ratification of the
Constitution by June 1788. All ten of the promised
amendments were ratified by 1791.
These ten statements of the rights and freedoms of every American citizen form a strong protection against
tyranny. They are a part of our Constitution and, as
such, form the highest law of the land. Article V of the
Constitution provides for its own change, and therefore
for the change of any existing amendment, through
a
new amendment. This method of change is
so slow and difficult that as of 1970 only fifteen amendments had
been adopted since the Bill of Rights,
even though more than 2700 amendments had been introduced in
Congress during this time.
The Bill of Rights in our Constitution forms one of the most simply written and forthright statements of the
rights of individual citizens. The very first article of the
Bill of Rights states in one sentence enough freedoms
to
make dictatorship virtually impossible in this country.
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.
In this short statement, our founding fathers wisely provided protection for our citizens against the power of their
Own government. By promising freedom of speech and of the press, our government purposely invites
open
Among the following, the one not guaranteed by the first amendment is
O free speech
O freedom of the press
O property ownership
O religious choice
