Malcolm Rivera
The first 12 amendments to the US Constitution, proposed by the First Congress on September 25, 1789, are known as the Bill of Rights. They were proposed to address objections raised by Anti-Federalists during the 1787-88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution. Ten of the proposed 12 amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791, and came to be known as the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the US Bill of Rights. The first two amendments were never ratified. The ratified amendments defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution, guaranteeing personal freedoms such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, and assemble, among others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Amendments Proposed | 12 |
| Number of Amendments Ratified | 10 |
| Date Proposed | September 25, 1789 |
| Date Ratified | December 15, 1791 |
| Name of the First 10 Amendments | Bill of Rights |
| Number of State Legislatures that Ratified the Amendments | 3/4ths |
| Number of States in the Union at the Time | 14 |
| Name of the First Amendment | Number of constituents for each Representative |
| Status of the First Amendment | Never Ratified |
| Name of the Second Amendment | Varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives |
| Status of the Second Amendment | Ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment |
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What You'll Learn
The first 10 amendments are known as the Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The first 10 amendments, ratified on December 15, 1791, are known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were proposed by the First Congress of the United States on September 25, 1789, to address objections raised by Anti-Federalists during the 1787–88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights adds to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, and assemble. It also includes other natural and legal rights, such as the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The Bill of Rights defines citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution. During the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents argued that the document, as drafted, would allow the central government to become tyrannical. With the memory of British violations of civil rights before and during the Revolution still fresh, they demanded a "bill of rights" that would explicitly outline the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions ratified the Constitution with the understanding that amendments would be offered.
Although 12 amendments were originally proposed, only 10 were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures and became part of the Bill of Rights. Article 1, concerning the number of constituents for each Representative, was never ratified, and Article 2, regarding "varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives," was ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment.
The Bill of Rights had little judicial impact in its first 150 years. The concepts codified in these amendments build upon those in earlier documents, such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), the Northwest Ordinance (1787), the English Bill of Rights (1689), and the Magna Carta (1215).
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The amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791
The first 12 amendments to the US Constitution, proposed by Congress on September 25, 1789, were known as the Bill of Rights. They were designed to define citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.
Ten of these 12 proposed amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the state legislatures. These ratified amendments (Articles 3–12) constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the US Bill of Rights.
The amendments were ratified as follows:
- Virginia: Article One on November 3, 1791, and Articles Two through Twelve on December 15, 1791.
- Kentucky: All 12 amendments on June 27, 1792.
Article 1, concerning the number of constituents for each Representative, was never ratified. Article 2, regarding "varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives", was ratified on May 7, 1992, as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution.
The amendments of the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, and assemble. They also included other natural and legal rights.
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The amendments were proposed by the First Congress of the US
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution. The 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the amendments is on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C.
The amendments were proposed following the often bitter 1787–88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution. During this debate, opponents of the Constitution repeatedly charged that the document, as drafted, would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments, while others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.
The 12 amendments were revised and condensed from 20 to 17, then further edited by the Senate, which made 26 changes. The Senate also eliminated Madison's proposal to apply parts of the Bill of Rights to the states as well as the federal government, as well as his proposed changes to the preamble. On September 9, 1789, the Senate approved 12 amendments for consideration by the House and Senate. A House-Senate Conference Committee was convened to resolve the differences between the two proposals, and on September 24, 1789, the committee issued a report that finalized 12 Constitutional Amendments for the House and Senate to consider.
Ten of the proposed 12 amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791. These ratified Articles (Articles 3–12) constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the U.S. Bill of Rights. They defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution. The first amendment, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative, was never ratified, and the second was ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment.
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The amendments define citizens' rights in relation to the government
The first 12 amendments to the US Constitution, proposed by the First Congress on September 25, 1789, are known as the Bill of Rights. Ten of these amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and they define citizens' rights in relation to the government.
The first two amendments were not ratified at the time, although the second amendment was ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment. The first amendment, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative, has still not been ratified.
The 10 amendments that were ratified include the following:
- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
- Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.
- Citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and to petition the government for redress of grievances.
- Citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote.
- Citizens have the right to keep and bear arms.
- Citizens are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures.
- The right to a trial by jury in civil cases.
- Protections against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments.
- Rights that are not specifically mentioned are retained by the people.
- Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.
These amendments were proposed after a bitter debate over the ratification of the Constitution, with opponents arguing that the document could lead to tyranny by the central government. The Bill of Rights was designed to address these concerns and spell out the immunities of individual citizens. It places clear limitations on the government's power and guarantees personal freedoms and legal rights.
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The first amendment concerns freedom of speech and religion
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights. Ten of the proposed 12 amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791, forming the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.
The First Amendment to the Constitution concerns freedom of speech and religion. It states: "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."
The First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion, prohibiting Congress from establishing an official religion or favouring one religion over another. It also protects the freedom of speech, preventing the government from restricting or prohibiting the expression of ideas, beliefs, and opinions. This amendment ensures that individuals can speak freely without fear of government censorship or retaliation.
In addition to freedom of speech and religion, the First Amendment also encompasses freedom of the press. This protects the publication and distribution of information and ideas without government interference. It also guarantees the right to assemble peacefully and petition the government, allowing individuals to collectively express their views and work for common goals.
The First Amendment is a cornerstone of democratic society, safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens to express themselves freely, practise their beliefs, and engage with the government. It has been instrumental in shaping political discourse, fostering a diverse marketplace of ideas, and empowering individuals to challenge government actions and seek redress for grievances.
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Frequently asked questions
The first 12 amendments to the US Constitution were originally proposed on September 25, 1789, by the First Congress of the United States. Ten of these amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and became the Bill of Rights. Article 1 was never ratified, and Article 2 was ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment.
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution are also known as the Bill of Rights. They were ratified on December 15, 1791, and include freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, and assemble, among other natural and legal rights.
The 11th Amendment to the US Constitution is about lawsuits against states.
The 12th Amendment to the US Constitution is about presidential elections.
