A Quick Guide to the First Ten Amendments

The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution are more commonly referred to as the Bill of Rights. These ten Amendments were introduced to the American Congress in 1789. The purpose of these 10 Amendments is to protect the individuals of the United States--protect their rights to property, their natural rights as individuals, and limit the Government’s power over the citizens.

The ten Amendments that were originally placed into the Constitution were ratified in 1791 through the process of state voting and ratifying them one by one using a three-fourths majority vote of all the states. This was an important movement because it illustrated the way in which the founders had structured the Constitution, making them amendable while still requiring that sufficient time be given to the process in order to make the right choices regarding citizenship.

The first ten Amendments of the U.S. Constitution are ones many individuals are taught when they are kids, but forget as they grow older. Simply stated, these 10 Amendments are:

1. Freedom of speech, religion, press, etc.

2. Right to keep and bear arms.

3. The conditions for quartering soldiers.

4. Right of search and seizure.

5. Provisions regarding the prosecution of an individual.

6. Right to a speedy trial.

7. Right to trial by jury.

8. Provision against excessive bail and cruel punishment before trial.

9. Rule of construction regarding the constitution; and

10. The rights of the states under the Constitution.

NEXT: Constitutional Amendments at a Glance