Bill of Rights

A hot button issue that is in the news daily, the right to bear arms is one of Americans' most provincial and cherished rights. There are more guns per capita in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Through engaging and enlightening text, the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, is studied in-depth. Analyzing the varying views on the amendment, students will get the opportunity to learn about the different interpretations of the amendment. The history of the amendment, as well as its creators, supporters, and detractors are studied thoroughly. Primary source documents allow readers to examine the amendments themselves and come up with their own conclusions. Full-color and black-and-white photos help students better understand the Bill of Rights and its creation. Further reading and sidebars encourage students to explore the amendments further, and a glossary helps student's master new vocabulary.

The Founding Fathers created the Eighth Amendment to protect the people from the kind of abuse they had seen while the colonies were under British rule. But to this day, Americans continue to argue about what exactly "cruel and unusual," "excessive bail," and "excessive fines" mean. Through full-color and black-and-white photos, engaging text, and primary sources, students will examine the events leading up to the Eighth Amendment's creation, how it has been defined throughout the centuries, and how it is interpreted today. In addition, informative sidebars and a further reading section with books and websites encourage students to explore the people and events of this time in history in more depth.

The Ninth Amendment, which guarantees individuals rights not specifically named within the Constitution or the other amendments, was written using vague, open-ended language to ensure no American citizen would be denied the many rights he or she retained that were not explicitly enumerated. Yet this vagueness has caused confusion and uncertainty even in the Supreme Court. Through full-color and black-and-white photos, engaging text, and primary sources, readers will learn why it was proposed and ratified, how it has been interpreted in several landmark Supreme Court cases, and how it has impacted society through such issues as labor activities, fair housing laws, and privacy. Sidebars, a glossary, and further reading are also included.

The fact that individuals accused of a crime are innocent until proven guilty and safeguarded by a robust set of rights and protections is one of the things that sets the United States apart from many other nations. According to the Sixth Amendment, individuals accused of crimes have a number of important rights, including the right to a speedy trial, to a jury of peers, to be informed of the charges against them, to an attorney and witnesses in their defense, and to face their accuser. This book reviews the history of the Sixth Amendment, including the events that inspired it and the major Supreme Court cases related to it.

The Fifth Amendment is one of the more complex and far-reaching amendments to the US Constitution, so this book begins by breaking down each clause one by one, explaining the legalese in uncomplicated language, thus allowing the reader to reach a full understanding of due process. It then systemically describes the impact of the Fifth Amendment clause by clause, using Supreme Court cases as real-world examples. Sidebars highlight the amendment in action and delve into some of the finer points. This book includes rich resource sections that allow for further exploration.

By entrusting a jury of ordinary and impartial citizens to decide the outcome of lawsuits, the Seventh Amendment removed the power from judges, who could potentially be swayed and corrupted. It levels the playing field, guaranteeing that each citizen's voice and interests carry as much weight as that of a wealthy individual, major corporation, or powerful government. The historical context that motivated the drafting and passage of this amendment is discussed. Contemporary, straight-from-the-headlines cases illustrate the relevance of the Seventh Amendment and its application to cases involving consumer protection, environmental cleanup, medical malpractice, and corporate wrongdoing.

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 full-color and black-and-white photos, engaging text, and primary sources, students will learn why this amendment was created, how notions of states' versus federal rights have changed throughout history, and how this ongoing conflict between state and federal government affects their lives.

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 so important today. Through clear and exciting text, explanations of the interpretation of the amendment are revealed, as well as important court cases that set its precedent. Primary source documents allow readers to examine the amendments themselves and come up with their own conclusions. Full-color and black-and-white photos help students better understand the document and its creation. Further reading and sidebars encourage students to explore the amendments further, and a glossary helps student's master new vocabulary.

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 US 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 photos, engaging text, and primary sources, this book examines the events leading up to the creation and ratification of the Fourth Amendment and its impact on modern American life, including how the Supreme Court must balance the rights of the individual against the needs of the government to keep the nation safe and how technological advances affect our privacy. Sidebars, a list of all ten Bill of Rights, and a glossary are also included.

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 living in America. Includes historical and current events examples.

Under British rule, soldiers could show up at any American's doorstep, demand shelter, eat all the food, and require the homeowner to provide anything they asked for or else the colonist would be punished by the military. After the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers would ensure no American would have to endure such abuse of power by ratifying the Third Amendment, which guarantees that soldiers cannot be quartered with American citizens during times of peace without the homeowner's consent. Through full-color and black-and-white photos, engaging text, and primary sources, readers will learn the history behind this amendment and how it has affected modern society by giving rise to military bases all over the country.