Safeguards of Liberty in the Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights: This document is still very relevant even today.
People known as anti-federalists were worried that a strong central government was a threat to American freedoms and the individual rights of Americans. The anti-federalists were worried that the position of a President could turn into a monarchy – a king. And remember, the Americans had just fought a very bloody Revolutionary War because they were so strongly against the British King taking away their liberties.
The anti-federalists felt the states should have more power to protect their liberty and their way of life. When it came to approving the Constitution, these concerns came close to preventing several of the States from approving the Constitution. So, compromise was needed, which came in the form of amendments that were written to protect American liberties. These amendments became the United States Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The first three are the safeguards of liberty and the other seven provide the safeguards of justice.
Although the Bill of Rights is made up of the first ten amendments to the Constitution it is the first amendment that protects five basic freedoms. Amendments 2-8 give citizens certain rights not covered in the Constitution.
1
The First Amendment
The First Amendment requires that the church and government are separate, or as Thomas Jefferson put it, there should be “… a wall of separation between church and State.” Known as the establishment clause, it stops religious abuse of government and political control of religion. The government cannot establish or support religion, nor can they stop somebody from practicing their religion. Known as the free exercise clause, people are free to practice the religion of their choice and are free to change their religion. The government cannot interfere with religious beliefs and practices.
The First Amendment also allows for freedom of speech, which is the free and public expression of opinions. Government cannot interfere with free speech or try to silence it.
The First Amendment also allows for freedom of the press. The free press clause protects the right to publish information and opinions in the press or media. The need for ensuring such freedom can be traced back to British rule, where the press was not allowed to publish and spread anything that the British had not approved.
The First Amendment also provides the right for people to come together peacefully. It stops the government from interfering with people coming together to express and defend their shared ideas. For example, people have the right to come together and protest. Or people have the right to join or become a member of an association.
Finally, the First Amendment provides people with the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. This means that people have the right to make a complaint to or seek assistance from their government without being punished for their complaint or request for assistance.
2
The Second Amendment
The Second Amendment is about the right to keep and bear arms. This is a right protected by the Second Amendment, not given by the Second Amendment. This means that individuals have a right to keep and carry firearms and to use them for lawful purposes, such as self-defense and hunting. This right is one of the most argued about in the United States to this day. The Supreme Court decided that the Second Amendment gives individuals the right to bear arms, not just the military in 2008.
2
The Third Amendment
The Third Amendment established that owners of a private home are not required to give a soldier housing and food. This law was a response to the British Quartering Act, which required colonies to give British soldiers housing and food during the time when the British colonized early America.
Let’s Reflect:
Have you ever had any of your freedoms taken away?
- For example, have you ever been grounded by your parents?
- How did that make you feel?
