Rights of citizens

  • Jan 1, 1215

    Magna Carta

    The Magna Carta paved the way for many American ideas, but is most memorable because it makes the laws applicable to everybody.
  • free speech

    The first ammendment can be traced to Thomas Jefferson, who in 1777 created a bill declaring religous freedoms.
  • 2nd ammendment

    Both the Federalists, and the Antifederalists
    would be protected best by preservation of local autonomy, agreed that arms and liberty were
    inextricably linked. This ammendment gives citizens the right to bear arms.
  • 5th Amendment

    The Courts of Star Chember used methods of the accused telling the truth, rather than being prosecuted. Often times these ways resulted in torture of the accused. This law was placed because the confessions were to be found less reliable than the prosecutor.
  • 3rd ammendment

    The third ammendment was put into effect do abolish the quartering act and ensure it is not repeated. The third ammendment outlaws the quartering of soldiers in private homes without the consent of the owner.
  • 4th ammendment

    Prior to the revolution, the British gave warrents to soldiers allowing them to enter any property to search for smuggling, even if there was no evidence nor suspicion.
  • 9th amendment

    The ninth amendment was created because the Anti-Federalists were concerned that their rights that werent listed in the constitution were irrelevant. This amendment provides them with security that even though their rights arent mentioned in the Constitution, that does not mean they can be violated.
  • 8th Amendment

    The 8th Amendment was pulled directly from the English Bill of Rights. It defends criminals by eliminating many punishments including disembowment, decapitation, and pillorying.