Bill_of_Rights.ppt

In 1776, Americans declared their independence from Great Britain.  In 1787, they adopted the United States Constitution. Some states still thought the Constitution did not say enough about the rights of the people. So in 1791 Congress added the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Amendment 1 gives the people freedom of religion or worship freedom of speech freedom of the press freedom of assembly (freedom to gather together peaceably), and freedom to petition（申诉 ）the government.  Amendment 2 gives the people the right to keep and bear arms. Amendment 3 limits the quartering of soldiers. In war, any requirement to house or feed soldiers must follow the law. Amendment 4 protects people from unreasonable search and seizure（没收）. Amendment 5 gives a person the right to enjoy due process of law,  says a person may not be tried twice for the same crime,  says the court cannot require a person to testify against himself, and says government must pay the owner if it takes private property for public use. Before you read Amendments 6 and 7, you need to know a big difference in criminal and civil crimes. A criminal wrong is punishable by jail time. Amendment 6 gives a person in a criminal prosecution(刑事诉讼） the right to a speedy trial by jury, the right to be confronted by the witnesses against him, and the right to legal counsel（法律顾问）. Amendment 7 gives the right to trial by jury in civil suits（民事诉讼）. Amendment 8 prohibits excessive bail（保释金）and cruel and unusual punishment. Amendment 9 says the people have non-enumerated rights. Amendment 10 gives the states all powers that the Constitution does not give to the United States or forbid to the states. * The Constitution told how their new government would work. These first ten amendments are called The Bill of Rights. 1.------------------- 2.------------------ 3.------------------ 4.------------------