Background Info
George Mason of Virginia proposed a Bill of Rights to be included in the Constitution. Some delegates worried that without the protection of a bill of rights the new national government might abuse its power. However most of the delegates believed that the constitution provided adequate protection of individual rights. Masons proposal was defeated.
The Bill of rights-
1. Freedom of religion and speech (you are allowed to follow any religion you choose)
2. Right to maintain a militia and right to bear arms (you are allowed to own your own arms for self defense)
3. Restricts quartering of troops in homes (you do not have to let soldiers live in your homes while in duty)
4. No unreasonable searches or seizures (no one can search your property without consent from the law)
5. Right to not be deprived of Life, Liberty, or property, without due process of law (no one can take away your property without consent from the law)
6. Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial trial (you cannot be kept in jail for a certain amount of time before you are decided guilty or innocent)
7. Right to a jury trial in cases involving common law (people who break the law can have representation in court)
8. No excessive bail, or cruel or unusual punishment (no unreasonable punishments such as death for robbing a grocery store)
9. Peoples rights are not restricted to those specified in the first eight amendments (no one can take away your rights as a human being)
10. Powers not granted to the national government are reserved to the states and people (states have power)
George Mason of Virginia proposed a Bill of Rights to be included in the Constitution. Some delegates worried that without the protection of a bill of rights the new national government might abuse its power. However most of the delegates believed that the constitution provided adequate protection of individual rights. Masons proposal was defeated.
The Bill of rights-
1. Freedom of religion and speech (you are allowed to follow any religion you choose)
2. Right to maintain a militia and right to bear arms (you are allowed to own your own arms for self defense)
3. Restricts quartering of troops in homes (you do not have to let soldiers live in your homes while in duty)
4. No unreasonable searches or seizures (no one can search your property without consent from the law)
5. Right to not be deprived of Life, Liberty, or property, without due process of law (no one can take away your property without consent from the law)
6. Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial trial (you cannot be kept in jail for a certain amount of time before you are decided guilty or innocent)
7. Right to a jury trial in cases involving common law (people who break the law can have representation in court)
8. No excessive bail, or cruel or unusual punishment (no unreasonable punishments such as death for robbing a grocery store)
9. Peoples rights are not restricted to those specified in the first eight amendments (no one can take away your rights as a human being)
10. Powers not granted to the national government are reserved to the states and people (states have power)