First Ten Amendments To The United States

The United States Constitution was recognized to Americans as a vague statement in clarifying the privileges and the rights of individuals and centralizing the power within the government itself. With the passing of the Bill of Rights and the first ten amendments, it grants the people to what is said to be their “natural rights” following additional rights that have significantly changed our society.

After the Revolutionary War, American colonists went through a transition that required the establishment of a new government, which impacted them politically, socially and economically. In addition, after their unpleasant experience under the tyrannical British government, American colonists decided to establish a government with balanced powers. This means that they would give the government enough power to protect the people while maintaining the rights of the people and the states. Also, even today the United States runs according to those principles which are written in the Constitutional Amendment. Therefore, as time passed the government has seen the need to increase the safety of its people by taking away basic unalienable rights and

On the cold night of March 5th, 1770, a mob of American colonists were protesting outside the Customs House in Boston. One colonist threw a snowball hitting Private Hugh Montgomery. Montgomery replied with a shot into the crowd. This led the rest of the British Army soldiers to shoot into the crowd killing five people in an event that would later be known as the Boston Massacre (Foner and Garraty). After this protest, more and more taxes were levied against the colonies, particularly regarding tea. To add, trade with nations besides Great Britain was prohibited. These affronts were met with the tarring and feathering of British tax collectors and the infamous Boston Tea Party. As a result of this, Massachussetts was essentially ruled by martial law. This finally culminated with a declaration of independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776. The United States of America was formed.

On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, who were directed by George Washington. The 1787 convention was called to draft a new legal system for the United States now that the states were free and colonized. This new Constitution was made to increase federal authority while still protecting the rights of citizens. It established America’s National Government. In 1971, the Bill of Rights were added to Constitution containing the 10 amendments guaranteeing protection for citizens. The first commandment consisting of freedom of speech and religion. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads:

The first amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of speech and expression. One particular form of expression that has grown in popularity is body art; also known as tattoos. This creative form of expression can be displayed anywhere on the body. It is because of this same freedom that I believe there should be restrictions on what and where a tattoo is placed. Some feel as if the Marine Corps shouldn’t have any tattoo restrictions. But I strongly disagree. This Organization has been built on so many great principles, like our Corps Values: “Honor, Courage, and Commitment.” Then we have our official United States Marine Corps (USMC) slogan: “The Few, The Proud, The Marines”. We have a reputation for being a professional, disciplined fighting force. Granted, society will always change. From the modern day fads, the fashion statements, to the personal beliefs plus the need to be an individual; we as a people can change in the blink of an eye. But should we allow that to dictate the USMC? Should we change our foundation because of our society? Although tattoos have become a part of the societal norm, in order to maintain good order, discipline, and a professional military appearance; restrictions must remain in place.

There have been periods in our history when soldiers took over the property and homes of citizens without consent, but this has never been something I have had to experience, or even have family tell me about. I chose this picture because it represents to me I do have the right to say no. I can tell military personnel without hesitation that they do not have the right to come into my home or

The Bill of Rights were added to our Constitution because the framers wanted to protect the citizen’s individual rights and so that the government can’t abuse it’s power.

The Congress wanted to prevent misinterpretation and misuse of the Constitution by the government, and the people to trust the government. In other words, they wanted to make the laws clearer to understand so the people would understand and trust the government. To do so, they proposed additional declaratory and restrictive clauses to be added to the Constitution. With the people* in mind, the first ten clauses or amendments were ratified. Collectively, these first ten amendments are the Bills of Rights.

The Ten Amendments are part of the Constitution and are known as the Bill of Rights. They were proposed to Congress in 1789 and became a part of the Constitution on December 15, 1791. James Madison was the main author who wrote the Bill of Rights and he had a lot of support from John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Till this day we still exercise all of the Ten Amendments and we have also expanded them.

From other countries and in the eyes of foreigners and refugees, America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. With rights that are given to us, we are free to say anything we please; to not be searched or have things seized from us unreasonably; and the most important right, the one that defends all of the others, the right to keep and bear arms. Understanding the rights given by the 2nd amendment of our constitution has been a major issue in America, since the day it was written. This right lets us own our own weapons, and it should not be controlled by the government how many and what guns we can own. With modern technology, guns have become so much cheaper and accessible that some regulations must be put into place, and

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…” Sound familiar? Well it should. That quote was a section of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Those lines are one of the many things that set America apart from other countries around the world. It has protected us for centuries from “unreasonable searches and seizures…” made by anyone, including the government. This is all beginning to change with the inventions of the smartphone, computer, and even GPS. These inventions have possibly turned our world for the better, or maybe even for the worse.

Looking back one year from today, I would not have been able to determine what the amendments were or even tell of their location, basically, I was as naïve as most people are. However, through my school year for the last one year, my civic education has gone a long way to help me understand and further relate to the twenty-seven amendments. I have been able to understand much more in regards to our constitution and through such imagination I have been able to determine that my favorite amendments happen to fall under the category of the bill of rights which covers the first ten amendments. Accordingly, the first amendment caters for the freedom of speech, religious orientations, and the freedom of the press. This particular amendment is the

American citizens, provided that they do not insight some form of disturbance or riot (see Chaplinski vs.

In the beginning, our founding fathers where working on drafting a formal Constitution for our newly formed country. The representatives for some of the newly formed states, worried about the current draft of the Constitution. Many of the states and there representatives, had concerns about the wording of the current draft of the Constitution.

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.