The first amendment in us goverment, History

Assignment Help:

The First Amendment

When the Constitution was written in 1787, some Americans feared that the new form of government that it created was too powerful. Many citizens wanted the Constitution to include a Bill of Rights, spelling out the rights of citizens and restricting the powers of government. The first ten amendments to the Constitution, written by James Madison in 1789 and ratified two years later, are known as the Bill of Rights.

The First Amendment guarantees the freedoms that are most cherished by Americans, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Here is the text of the First Amendment:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition their Government for a redress of grievances."

James Madison and the other Framers believed that citizens' freedom of conscience, their ability to determine matters of faith and opinion for themselves, was essential to liberty. They knew well that disputes over religion had led to political intolerance and even bloodshed in European history over the past three centuries, and sought to avoid a similar fate in the new United States. So, the First Amendment prohibits the government from supporting a religion (an established religion is one officially supported or approved by government), or, many believe, even supporting religion generally.

 


Related Discussions:- The first amendment in us goverment

Major demographic shifts and societal changes, Europe is experiencing major...

Europe is experiencing major demographic shifts and societal changes due to extensive migration. Discuss what policies countries like Germany and Austria have adopted to cope with

Ernest hemingway were part of, American novelists like F. Scott Fitzgerald ...

American novelists like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway were part of the ... A) Lost Generation B) New Generation C) Me Generation D) Literary Generation E)

What is a funny story of a president between 1920-1990s, What is a funny st...

What is a funny story of a president between 1920-1990s?

Western cultural transition was moses, How significant or important - in te...

How significant or important - in terms of shaping the western cultural transition - was Moses?

Who do you believe in u.s. history explain, 1) who do you believe in U.S. h...

1) who do you believe in U.S. history during that time frame could have helped prevent the clash of North and South? Why? 2) What policies and decisions on both sides could have

What was assassination conspiracy during reconstruction era, what was assas...

what was assassination conspiracy during the reconstruction era? Describe the relationship between the Mandan's and expedition?

Democratic and integrated state in africa, True or false In recent years, t...

True or false In recent years, the most successful example of an integrated and democratic state in Africa was the nation of South Africa.

Among augustus'' key innovations in roman provincial rule, Among Augustus' ...

Among Augustus' key innovations in Roman provincial rule was his abandonment of North Africa. division of Roman provinces into those ruled directly by the princeps and the senat

Roe v wade, "Roe v Wade" (1973) 1. What was the majority opinion in the ...

"Roe v Wade" (1973) 1. What was the majority opinion in the case of Roe v. Wade? 2. Which constitutional "right," according to Justice Blackmun, justifies the opinion in the

Populist movement, The key institution and " heart and soul " of the populi...

The key institution and " heart and soul " of the populist movement was the : a) Grange b) Farmers Alliance c) Omaha Platform

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd