The Declaration of Independence The Bill of Rights The Importance of the Bill of Rights Source: history.state.gov
T he Bill of Rights is important not only in the freedoms it protects but in its demon- stration of America’s enduring commitment to self-improvement and striving to continu- ously form a “more perfect union.” The Bill of Rights was created to assure citizens of the new United States that their individual rights and freedoms would never again be taken from them as the British did in the years pre- ceding the Revolutionary war. Since 1791, 17 additional Amendments have been ratified for a total of 27 Amendments to the Constitution. From the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery; to the 14th Amendment, which guar- anteed birthright citizenship, promised “equal protection under the laws,” and safeguarded fundamental rights and fair process; to the several Amendments devoted to prohibiting electoral discrimination based on race, sex, age, and the inability to afford a tax; to the most recent amendment ratified in 1992 to keep members of Congress more responsive to their voters — our history of amending
Democracy’s greatest strength is the ability it provides its citizens to improve their system of governance .
the Constitution illustrates that improving our democracy is the shared and constant duty of all Americans. Democracy’s greatest strength is the ability it provides its citizens to improve their system of governance, which is why democracy is uniquely suited to face the challenges of a changing world. Many states would not have approved of the Constitutional recall, unless they included additional individual protections concerning the freedom of speech, religion, the right to bear arms, and more.
A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference. Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was previously the second vice president under John Adams and the first United States secretary of state under George Washington. The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was a proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, motivating American colonists to break from the Kingdom of Great Britain and form a new nation.
54 | The Bill of Rights
Students Pocket Guide for Civic Engagement
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