Examines the First Amendment, explaining the right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. Reviewed The Bill of Rights series examines the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, spelling out the rights that all Americans enjoy, but few truly understand. In a relevant and accessible way, the series explores the Constitution's amendment process and reveal how amendments--once adopted--become woven into the fabric of daily...

Prior to the existence of the Eighth Amendment, there was little to protect citizens of the English colonies from excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. The enduring freedoms guaranteed by this amendment are extremely important to all U.S. citizens. Readers will learn about the politicians who fought for the amendment's passage. They will also learn about what life was like for Americans before the Eighth Amendment was...

The First Amendment safeguards some of our most important civil liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and the press. This book explores the origin and history of the First Amendment and how the courts have been involved in protecting or limiting these freedoms. The author explains how interpretations of the amendment have evolved and what controversies have surrounded it. The text cites important cases, including examples involving...

One of the more elusive and nebulous of Constitutional amendments, the Ninth Amendment essentially guarantees unnamed and unspecified individual rights not explicitly enumerated within the Constitution or the other amendments. From its ratification, the amendment has caused confusion and uncertainty. Even Supreme Court justices have been unsure how to interpret it and unclear about exactly what individual rights it extends to American citizens. The...

While jury trials in criminal cases are recognized as vitally important to safeguarding the Constitutional rights of the accused, the right to a jury trial in civil cases is a less understood, celebrated, and valued right. This book is an invaluable reminder of just how important the Seventh Amendment is to the promotion and preservation of fairness and justice in America. By entrusting a jury of ordinary and impartial citizens to decide the outcome...

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were born out of a highly contentious and passionate ideological debate over the relative balance of federal versus state powers. The Tenth Amendment is a further attempt to address the challenges of reaching and maintaining that balance. Readers will learn about the historical context behind why this amendment was deemed necessary and how it was debated, drafted, and ratified. The application of the amendment...

The Bill of Rights is one of the most influential documents in American history. These ten amendments safeguard the basic rights that every American has. The First Amendment protects Americans' right to speak freely, assemble peacefully, and practice their own religions, and for journalists to write any story they choose. This book delves into the history of the amendment, from its conception to its writers, why it was written, and why it is still

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Some people believe that the USA Patriot Act and Homeland Security Act, passed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, violate the Fourth Amendment, which guarantees that U.S. citizens have the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and belongings against unreasonable searches and seizures. Through full-color and black-and-white photographs, engaging text, and primary sources, this book examines the events leading up to the creation and

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Examines what caused the First Amendment to be born and what effects the amendment has had throughout history and today.

The Tenth Amendment says that the powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution belong to the individual states and their residents and cannot be taken away from them. Like the Ninth Amendment, the Tenth Amendment's wording is vague and abstract and often debated, especially when applied to such important contemporary issues as the drinking age, gun ownership, health care, environmental standards, and controlled substances. Through...