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Bill of Rights (1791)

The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power, in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties from government abuses.

It was written by James Madison, and influenced by George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights. Other precursors to the Bill of Rights include English documents such as the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, the English Bill of Rights, and the Massachusetts Body of Liberties.

The Bill of Rights includes the First Amendment, Second Amendment, Third Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Sixth Amendment, Seventh Amendment, Eighth Amendment, Ninth Amendment and Tenth Amendment.

Life Without the Bill of Rights?

Life Without the Bill of Rights? is a click-and-explore activity that asks you to consider how life would change without some of our most cherished freedoms. Life Without the Bill of Rights invites you to understand the significance of constitutionally-protected rights.

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