Cogan, Neil H., ed. The Complete Bill of Rights: The Drafts, Debates, Sources, and Origins. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997 • September 25, 1789, Federal Congress. • Proposed twelve amendments to the Constitution, only 10 were ratified. • Were done to protect liberties not originally purposed in the congress. • Originally Purposed by James Madison on June 8th Bill of rights 11/28/06 http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/bill_of_rights.html • Some states demanded these amendments when they joined the Union. Others assumed those were given rights. • The first 2 amendments had to be ratified by the entire assembly, the last 10, the ones approved, needed only ¾. WIKI – Written already • Affects the way American law is practiced today. • Before the bill of rights, the federal government had little authority to veto taxes; one state had the power to veto federal bills. • John Locke supported the bill by saying that the point of government was to protect rights that all people deserve: Life, liberty, and property. • The basic tenants of the English Bill of rights were adopted in to the United states, including: • Taxation without representation • Freedom from the draft in peacetime. • Right to bear arms in self defense • Right to elect your own representatives. • Right to a fair trial and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment. Cooper, Barry, and Peter Woll. "Bill of rights." World Book Online Reference Center. 2006. [Place of access. Date of access.] . • The bill of rights came in to affect on Dec. 15, 1791 • The first 8 amendments were to determine the rights of every citizen • The 9th Amendments purpose was to forbid the government to limit freedoms and rights that are not listed in the Constitution. • The 10th amendment says that the government can only do what its allowed in the constitution. • The bill of rights also applies to state governments. • Freedom of speech has one exception, if it creates a clear and present danger to society, a person is not protected by the first amendment. Jones, Harry Willmer. "Bill of Rights." Encyclopedia Americana. 2006. Grolier Online. 29 Nov. 2006 http://ea.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0047310-00 • Def bill of rights: a formal constitutional declaration or legislative assertion by which a government both defines fundamental rights and liberties of its citizens and establishes their protection against arbitrary or capricious interference or infringement by the government. • Defines the basis of all rights of the accused and basic human rights. • Separate, smaller bills of rights, and were implemented to create more specific rights. • One of the most important ideas in the bill of rights is the idea that a law can not be approved by just an executive; it has to be ratified by the elected representatives. • Many states “blackmailed” the contential congress, saying they would only ratify the constitution if the bill of rights was approved. • The state governments were not limited by the constitutions restrictions, only the federal government, until the bill of rights was amended in 1868. • The amendment of the bill of rights stated that: life, liberty, and property were to be protected by state laws, and under the subsection liberty, were the rest of the 7 amendmants. Edwin L. Jackson The Georgia Studies Book University of Georgia 29 Nov, 2006 • States can make and prosecute their own laws other than what’s stated in the constitution. • There are many things reserved for only the states to govern as the please: • Regulate marriage and divorce • Operate public schools and colleges. • License Occupations • Conduct elections • Regulate political parties and public traffic. Jacob Stephens the 4th Telephone Interview 29 Nov. 2006 • The first 8 amendments deal with personal freedoms • The last 2 amendments deal with state rights. • Was proposed so all the states would ratify the constitution. • The first amendment expressed the rights of freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceful assembly and petition. • The second amendment stated that all states were allowed to form and keep militias, and all citizens have the right to bear arms.