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Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press

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Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press

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Prohibits Congress from making laws respecting an establishment of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, or infringing on the freedom of press.
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
This amendment is very well still important in our every day lives. If we did not have this amendment, news would be different, books would be different, movies would be different, and teachers wouldn't be able to teach everything. We would be restricted on what we could say, or what we could put in the newspaper. It would also affect the Gods we choose to worship.

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The second amendment is, "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."
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
I do not agree with this amendment. Yes, it was necessary back then; however, we are not the same country we used to be. We do not need to protect our selves from the government, because the government is not going to try to harm us. We have stronger, and more complex weapons now that normal people should not be able to get their hands on.

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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 manner to be prescribed by law.
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
This amendment would impact our daily life a lot if it was not ratified. We would have military in our houses, and be forced to feed them and give them a good place to sleep. This is a very necessary amendment, and it is not necessary for military to sleep in citizens houses anymore because we have military bases for that now.

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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 search, and the persons or things to be seized."
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
I agree with this amendment strongly, without it the government would be able to come in and search us whenever they wanted, and for whatever reason. Without this in place, the government would have too much control.

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Right to remain silent and double jeopardy

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Right to remain silent and double jeopardy

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The direct quote of the fifth amendment from the bill of rights is; "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 offence 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."
This gives you the right to remain silent without a lawyer present, and you cant be subjected for the same offence twice.
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
This amendment gives us a lot of freedom and impacts us more than you think. If you ever get under arrest, you can "plead the fifth," and not have to talk until a lawyer is pleasant. Of course this amendment is only important to you if you are breaking the law, but it is still important.

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Right to a speedy Trial, Lawyer, and Jury

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Right to a speedy Trial, Lawyer, and Jury

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In all criminal cases the suspect should have the right to a fast trial, free lawyer if needed, and a jury. The accused should be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; be confronted with witnesses, and to be able to gather his/her own witnesses.
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
Without this amendment we would be waiting months without trial, and would not be able to get a lawyer if you could not afford one. Non guilty people would get found guilty because of their lack of lawyer, and we could be waiting years for a trial.

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Right to a Jury and Lawyer in civil cases

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Right to a Jury and Lawyer in civil cases

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In simple terms, the 7th amendment states that 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 re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
In simpler terms, this gives us the right to a jury and a lawyer, even if we cant afford one. Yes, this sounds the same as the 6th, but the key difference is the 6th amendment is criminal cases and the 7th is civil cases.
Without this amendment it would affect more average people who are not really criminals but are being accused by someone not connected with the law.

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Right against excessive bail and punishment

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Right against excessive bail and punishment

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“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and usual punishments inflicted.”
This basically says "You can not give too much bail, you can not get a excessive or weird punishment, or fine someone too much."
Submitted for ratification:
September 25, 1789
Ratified:
December 15, 1791
Now, this really would affect the way we live. It would make the government literally be able to do anything to us if we broke the law at all. Oh you stole a candy bar? Nice, we are going to fine you 500k and cut off your hand.

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Why? - This amendment was made because England seized and searched many homes during the war/when they owned America. They felt violated and did not want the American government to be able to do this.

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Why? - They made this amendment because the soldiers from England lived in the colonists houses during the French and Indian war and the colonists did not like it. They did not want this to happen again, so they made this amendment. Now we have military bases to ensure that this will not happen.

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Why? - They made this amendment so they could make a militia, and so citizens could be armed to protect them selves from others or the government. This amendment is getting more and more stretched and now its just unnecessary. No one needs a ar-15.

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Why? - This amendment was made because there were problems around freedom of speech an press during the 1700's. This amendment really became a important amendment in the 20th century.

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Why? - Double jeopardy was a problem back then, so this amendment was made. "The right to remain silent" was not truly a problem in the past but without this right it would be a problem now.

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Why? - Back then people would wait months, maybe years for a trial. This amendment was made so that trials would be quick, and everyone would be able to get their hands on a lawyer.

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Why? - People were getting charged when they had no one defending them and the only person judging was the judge. This ensured there was a jury so that people would give our their opinions and vote, and it ensured that everyone got a lawyer and didn't have to defend them selves.

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Why? - Back in the 1700's, people were giving punishments that just weren't right. Being hung, whipped, etc. Without this amendment the government would be able to do anything to us even over the smallest crime.

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The 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted African American men the right to vote by declaring that the "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."
Submitted for ratification:
1870
Ratified:
1870
This is a EXTREMELY important amendment. One of the first things that really made blacks equal to whites, and without it the 19th amendment probably would of never happened. It helped out a lot, and who knows if blacks would be as equal as they are now without it. It would affect my life if this wasn't here by maybe my black friends not being my friend because segregation never stopped.

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Why? - The people were starting to realize that blacks were people too---black men at least. Although black women were not included in this amendment, later on they will get their rights.

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The 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. This was a huge step for women, and overall equality. This gave the last people the right to vote that didn't have it.
Submitted for ratification:
1920
Ratified:
1920
This amendment still really is important today. Without the right for women to vote, the presidents we have had would NOT of been the same presidents. This gave everyone equality and really helped with the future. Without amendments like these, America would be a very divided country with white men far more superior than anyone else.

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Why? - Women marches, protests, etc. Women really worked hard for this one, and they got it. Women tried to vote before this amendment and got arrested for it. This amendment was one of the most important amendments in the constitution.