Contributor: Victoria Surface. Lesson ID: 10190
You know what the Statue of Liberty looks like, but do you know what liberty means? Learn all about it as you study the Bill of Rights of the U. S. Constitution!
Imagine what it would be like if you were arrested for your religion or lack of it, for disagreeing with the government, or for owning a gun, and you were locked up at the whim of an unjust judge.
The Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution is intended to free Americans from those and other abuses of power.
The Articles of Confederation was the first written constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781. The states remained independent under the Articles of Confederation.
It soon became clear that the United States would need a strong central government to levy taxes and negotiate with large foreign powers.
In 1787, twelve of the thirteen states gathered in secrecy in Philadelphia to write a new Constitution. This Constitutional Convention lasted 55 days. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest member at the age of 81.
The United States Constitution is still the oldest today!
The three major components of the Constitution are the Preamble, the Articles, and the Bill of Rights.
Begin your study of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. As you explore the linked resource and watch the video below, take notes based on the following questions.
Next, take this quiz to see how much you remember!
Great job reviewing what you learned!
Imagine your life without one of the following freedoms and write a paragraph describing it.
When you are finished, continue to the Got It? section.