The Importance Of The First Amendment

Improved Essays
Amendment I
“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 the Government for a redress of grievances.” The first amendment states that every American citizen has freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and protest. Along with the rest of the Bill of Rights, the amendment was submitted to the states for ratification on September 25, 1789, later becoming part of the constitution on December 15, 1791 in Virginia. Written by James Madison, the Bill of Rights was written because the states demanded greater protection for individual liberties, and the first amendment
…show more content…
The factors from American colonization that led to the first amendment are conquering and violence. Starting from the beginning, the indigenous people that were here before suffered because of just who they were. Killed, enslaved, their land taken away and forced to a new culture by Europeans are just a few things they went through in their own land. Their human rights were violated because they were controlled by European government and they were obviously ignored by whatever government was taken over. Their conquering was similar to what was happening before the revolution. As the colonies started growing, the Americans were still being controlled by Europe, feeling like they had no power. So the other factor they utilized was the violence. Even if Europe did not listen to them, the colonies fought and protested to get some rights and many battles were fought. Many different battles/wars were taken place to gain freedom from some kind of power and colonists saw that violence was the only choice for the Europeans to notice their problems. These factors are what I think shaped the first amendment, from the European explorations and their conquest to all the battles/wars for protesters to show they need a social

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    The colonists worked so hard to try to peacefully get what they wanted for so long and it wasn't working and some of the people became scared and started to give up. The people who remained motivated were willing to do whatever it took to gain their freedom. Patrick Henry said, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” (Henry pg 83)…

    • 679 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The federalists believed that adding the Bill of Rights to the constitution was unnecessary. For more than four years the debate went back and forth until 1791 when the American Bill of Rights was adopted as the first ten amendments to the Constitution and became the law of the land. Conclusion While the articles did create a form of rules, the rules were vague and eventually caused many problems that led to a downward spiral in the American Union. The division between the north and south posed many problems during the Constitutional Convention.…

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    The Establishment Clause: Arguments against the interpretation of the Establishment Clause have been more recent than that of the Free Exercise Clause. This Clause states, “The First Amendment provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion….” The very first Establishment Clause case brought forth to the Supreme Court was in the 1947 Everson v. Board of Education case. This case is considered a landmark decision, mainly because it tied the Establishment Clause to the Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution, thus making it applicable to each State.…

    • 1494 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the years following the American Revolutionary War, American citizens, created the Articles of Confederation. However, after realizing that the Articles gave too much power to the government, American leaders decided to assemble a Constitution. The Constitution was ratified in 1787, and would later include a Bill of Rights, adopted in 1791, that would give citizens basic rights such as freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. However, between 1781 and 1800 these rights were taken from the common people to a great extent; the government enacted the Revenue Act of 1789, the beginning of 1789, the beginning of the electoral college in 1787, and the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.…

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many years after permanent English settlements had been made in the Americas, the colonists began to shape a more American identity and considered themselves as separate from England. This ideology of independence drove England to place more restrictions on the colonists. As a result of these constraints, the colonists justifiably reacted by revolting against British authority. It is understandable why the colonists reacted in such a way, as their rights were seized from them more and more with each act that Parliament placed upon them. Most of these laws were made only to benefit England, while taking away from colonies.…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    American Revolution Dbq

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The first reason the American Revolution was about economic rights was,taxation without representation. According to document 2,England began imposing unfair taxes to the colonist such as The Stamp Act,The Tea Act,and the Intolerable Acts. These taxes were brought upon them to cover the expenses of the French and Indian war,which consequently led to further tensions between the thirteen colonies and Britain. This evidence helps…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    James Madison and a few other men wrote the U.S. constitution which established basic rights and laws for the national government and its citizens. When the constitution was written, a few changes were needed to be made. These changes were called amendments and the first ten amendments were named The Bill of Rights. It was required that majority of the vote between the states, wanted these changes. Finally, on September 25, 1787, the constitution and it’s first ten amendments were ratified.…

    • 856 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The First Amendment

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The first amendment states the five general freedoms of an American citizen: freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. On occasion we neglect these write that others have, and we forget the rights that we have. First part of the amendment is the right to free worship and speech. These two rights are relevant in our society today for the reason that it gives us the opportunity to stand up for what we believe in, without being persecuted. We as Americans are lucky to worship freely and speak for what we think is right, Others in countries around the world do not have the privileges we have under killed for sticking up for themselves.…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The first amendment of the constitution is the right of free speech; throughout our history the first amendment has been interpreted in a number of ways. Despite this fact all Americans agree that this is one of our most important rights, and lays the foundation for our nations core beliefs. The first amendment is a short statement “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 the Government for a redress of grievances.” (1) Though it holds a great deal of power, it upholds strong personal values, and sets a precedent for the future of our country.…

    • 1249 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Chase’s why the First Amendment is important to protect First let me elaborate on what the First Amendment entails. The First Amendment guarantees us the freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly. Having the First Amendment as it is today introduces people to lots of things that the government would probably have banned or prevented us from seeing if we didn 't have the First Amendment. the government could make it to where anyone who doesn 't agree with them cant voice their opinions which would prevent us from experiencing the things we can and do today. When the First Amendment is upheld by SCOTUS ( Supreme Court of The United State) it further fortifies it making are freedoms more secure.…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Everyone in the U.S. has the same rights no matter what they look like or do. This is why United States of America is one the most flourishing countries in the world, because of it’s freedom. Of course, these privileges had to come from somewhere, and that is the Bill of Rights. On September 25, 1789, ten amendments were ratified by the congress of the United States. These Bill of Rights were created to protect the rights of the people.…

    • 528 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    It also outlines American citizens in the first ten amendments which is also known as the Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments were ratified December 15, 1791. The first ten amendments are: 1 freedom of speech, press, religion and petition; 2. Right to keep and bear arms; 3 Conditions for quarters of soldiers; 4. Right of search and seizure regulated; 5.…

    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “We the people….” is a famous line from our U.S. Constitutions’ preamble. 230 years ago on September 17th, 1787, United States delegates from our Constitutional Convention signed their name on the revision to the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution is the world’s oldest surviving constitution and it still reigns as the supreme law of our land. I believe the constitution has endured all this time because it functions similar to effective operating system.…

    • 358 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Outline On Love Is Love

    • 1429 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Love is Love 1. Introduction The Bill of Rights is made up of ten Amendments that were created by James Madison to protect the people from an intrusive government. James Madison was one to propose the document and was a political theorist and the fourth president of the United States. The Bill of Rights was created September 25, 1789 but wasn’t officially ratified until December 15, 1791.…

    • 1429 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Professor’s Name Student’s Name Course Date Understanding of the first Amendment and its legal constrains The First Amendment protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expressions. This freedom consists of the rights to freedom of speech, press, assembly and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and the implied rights of association and belief. But to what extend is this right enforced, and the extent to which this is applied, where is the red line in the application of this amendment, how is it implemented in the universities and colleges?…

    • 2267 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Great Essays