want to understand americans? read the bill of rights
To understand Americans, you must understand the Bill of Rights. These are the first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution. These amendments guarantee certain freedoms and rights for all people and are central to the worldview many Americans hold. The rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights are deeply embedded in the American culture and psyche.
Americans take great pride in the Bill of Rights. Many Americans hold that these are human rights, and should be applied globally. They are often surprised when they travel to countries that do not guarantee freedoms such as religion, speech or trial by jury.
The Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms, is at the foundation of American “gun culture”. It is especially contentious, as guns have changed significantly since the Amendments were adopted in 1791. However, many Americans believe strongly in the Constitutional right to own a gun, and the National Rifle Association is a strong political lobby.
If asked, many Americans could not recite the 10 Amendments, or may not know that they are called the Bill of Rights. Nevertheless, Americans view their country's rights and freedoms as core to their belief and values.
Bill of Rights
Amendment I
• Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press and assembly.
Guarantees separation of church and state
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.
Amendment II
• This amendment is cited in national debates on gun control and the right to gun ownership.
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.
Amendment III
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.
Amendment IV
• Protects against unreasonable search and seizure by government officials.
Requires police to have a warrant to search you or your home.
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.
Amendment V
• You don’t have testify against yourself in court. ( the expression: I’m taking the 5th)
• You are entitled to due process of the law.
• If you are found innocent in court, you can’t be tried for the same crime twice.
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.
Amendment VI
• You are entitled to a quick trial and a lawyer.
• You are entitled to confront your accuser.
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.
Amendment VII
• You have the right to a jury trial
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.
Amendment VIII
• Prevents cruel and unusual punishment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
• States can create their own laws, as long as they don’t break with the rights guarenteed by the Constitution.
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.
