AMENDMENTS AND THE BILL OF RIGHTSChapter 5 Section 3 (Part 2)

Ratification Ends • 9 of 13 states needed to approve or ratify the Constitution• Delaware became the first to ratify in December 1787

and by June 1788 9 states had ratified the Constitution.

• Many Americans opposed the Constitution, Virginia and New York did not ratify at first.

• Rhode Island wouldn’t ratify the Constitution until 1790 when Washington had already taken office.

• The Constitution and the laws that Congress pass are meant to be the “Supreme Law of Land.”

• The Constitution made itself the final and supreme authority.

• States have some powers but the Constitution and the federal government have the final say.

The Bill of Rights • The Constitution created a strong national government

and weakened the power of states at the same time.

• The Antifederalists wanted written guarantees of their rights.

• While federalists would argue that the Constitution gave only limited powers to the national government, the antifederalists made adding a Bill of Rights a part of ratification.

Amendments • Amendments are changes to the Constitution. • Since 1788 9,000 have been proposed but only 27 have

actually been passed.

• The amendment process is difficult which explains why there have been so few of them.

• 2/3s of both houses of Congress must approve an Amendment. Then 3/4s of state legislatures must approve the Amendment.

• Amendments

Bill of Rights Cont. • The first 10 Amendments are called the Bill of Rights.

• These are the written guarantees that the antifederalists wanted from the new government.

• The first 8 Amendments are

rights given to American citizens.

• 9 and 10 are limits on the power

of the federal government.

The First Amendment • Freedom of speech, freedom of press, and the right to

organize (example: political rallies)

• Also guarantees freedom of religion

2nd and 3rd Amendments • 2nd Amendment guarantees Americans the right to bear

arms • The 3rd Amendment bans quartering of troops in private

homes during peacetime

Amendments 4-8• These are related to Americans getting a fair trial.• 4th: Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure

(Example: police need a warrant to search your house)

• 5th: Rights of accused persons (you cannot incriminate yourself)

• 6th: Right to a speedy and fair trial• 7th: Trial by jury (a jury made up of citizens) • 8th: limits on fines and punishments (bans cruel and

unusual punishments) (limits on bail)

9th and 10th Amendments • 9th Amendment: Americans rights are not limited to those

mentioned in the Constitution. (Example: right to get married, or the right to choose your own job)

(Women, Blacks, and Native Americans left out)

• 10th Amendment: the people and the states have all powers not given to the national government.