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Freedom definition
The Bill of Rights and its relevance today
Freedom definition
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Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one desires without undergoing any form of hindrance or restraint that would limit one from doing so. Although over time the definition may have altered due to various circumstances, the word “freedom” remains a symbol of hope and of independence to millions worldwide. When you think of a country that the word “freedom” most applies to, many would most likely agree with the United States of America. Throughout the nation and even across the globe, many associate the lines “Land of the Free” with America, especially since they have been sung religiously in the national anthem written by Francis Scott Key in 1931. Ever since 1931 America has keyed into the slogan “Land of the …show more content…
While some countries across the world have been known to limit its people’s freedoms and natural rights, as John Locke would say, America remains the nation whom most would consider is the true land of freedom. Despite America using the slogan “Land of the Free” as lyrics in its national anthem many would have to question, is America and its people truly free or is it possibly all just a lie? History has proven to us that humans can be frightening individuals; we have started wars, murdered our own kind, and even in some cases our own families. Therefore freedom can be easily become a dangerous thing if not handled properly or by the right sorts of people; but how can anyone decide who deserves to be granted freedom and who doesn’t? In America, we have a developed a set government with rules and regulations that are meant to protect people’s rights to freedom, but just as they protect us they also hinder us from being truly free and unrestricted. Yet still people refer to America as the “land of the free” or “the land of freedom and opportunity”. Thousands if not millions of people leave their homes and migrate to the Americas each year in hopes of achieving the “American …show more content…
The Bill of Rights is principal to every single human being within the United States. The Bill of Rights refers to the first 10 amendments to the constitution. It is the collection of every right that a person has, and everyone should know their rights in order to protect themselves from any and all injustices that may occur. In 1776, George Mason, just two months before the Declaration of Independence was created, drafted almost 20 amendments, but after having to be approved by Congress, the House of Representatives, and the Senate it got knocked down to a mere 10. Over the years to adjust to coming times, new amendments have been added to the bill. The United States’ Bill of Rights now consists of 27 different Amendments, each stating the basic rights of Americans nationwide. The Bill of Rights gives all people the rights to be free and to pursue "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" that the Declaration of Independence declares. The Bill of Rights lists specific embargos on the government’s power so it cannot deny the basic rights to any of the American citizens. The Bill of Rights gives Americans assurance that their upmost basic rights will be protected under the first ten amendments. Though these rights are meant to protect Americans and their undeniable rights and freedoms, often times these rights restrict the true freedom of the people. Such is
BACKGROUND OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS The United States Bill of Rights came into being as a result of a promise made by the Fathers of Confederation to the states during the struggle for ratification of the Constitution in 1787-88. A great number of the states made as a condition for their ratification, the addition of amendments, which would guarantee citizens protection of their rights against the central government. Thus, we have a rather interesting situation in which the entrenchment of a bill of rights in the American Constitution was done by the virtual demand of the states, themselves fearing a central government which was not legally constrained and restricted as far as its powers were concerned. The resulting Bill of Rights is appended to the American Constitution as the first of ten amendments.
Throughout history, Americans have sought to spread the spirit of equality, which is believed to be the realization of true freedom. Before establishing this freedom, every American had only one question stuck in their head: What is freedom? Our country received it in the year of 1776 from the British through a series of difficulties and wars. African Americans defined it as an escape from slavery, while immigrants defined it as their acceptance into a new society. More yet, women of the women’s suffrage defined their freedom as their recognition into society and for their rights to be equal to that of every other man. These different perceptions of cultures/groups in America tied together to form an American view of freedom. Freedom is something that every American should be willing to do anything in order to maintain. We may have weapons of mass destruction, but when it comes to living in a peaceful, American lifestyle, our freedom is our greatest weapon.
I feel inspired and patriotic every time I see a car’s back bumper sticker featuring an American flag stating, “Freedom Isn’t Free!” The moral clarity of those words rings as true as the Liberty Bell. Those Americans that do not fathom the significance of the motto Freedom Isn’t Free suffer from the very problematic “victim/slave mentality,” which ultimately will become a future reality should more citizens not heed the simple message the sage language conveys. Yes it indeed bears repeating, “Freedom Is Not Free!” Its acquisition from King George’s England involved struggle, its maintenance throughout the first two and a quarter centuries of our Great Republic required sacrifice and its continuation demands perseverance. Wise people fully realize that struggle, sacrifice and perseverance are the vital characteristics of freedom, democracy and independence.
The Bill of Rights the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship. These were the basic principles of the Bill of rights. These were the principles that American people was fighting for in the Revolutionary war. In the summer of 1787 thirteen delegates got together and came up with the Constitution. As things progressed they found out that the Constitution was deeply flawed and they needed to find a way to correct the problems that they had.
The Bill of Rights was created as a listing of the rights granted to citizens, the Bill of Rights serves to protect the people from a powerful government. These civil rights granted to U.S. Citizens are included in the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, Locke’s ideas about checks and balances and the division of church and state were later embodied in the U.S. Constitution as well. The Constitution replaced a more weakly organized system of government as outlined under the Articles of Confederation. John Locke was an English philosopher who lived during 1632-1704.
America is one word that brings the hope of freedom to many people around the world. Since the United States’ humble beginnings freedom has remained at the core of its ideologies and philosophies. People of all races, nations, and tongues have found refuge in America. The National Anthem proclaims, “…land of the free, and home of the brave” (Key, 1814). But has America been consistently a land of the free? Unfortunately freedom has not always reigned. There is a constant struggle to overcome fear and prejudice in order to provide a true land of freedom. In times of heightened tension, the masses of common people seek to find a scapegoat. Often, this scapegoat is a minority with ties to current negative events. As fear uncontrollably grows, it can cause people to allow and commit unspeakable atrocities.
The Bill of Rights are the first ten Amendments to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights works to provide constitutional protection for the individual and to limit government power. The First Amendment and the Sixth Amendment protects the individual by allowing religious and political freedom, and by promising a public and speedy trial. The Fourth Amendment protects the individual’s privacy and limits the reach of the government into people’s homes and personal belongings. The three essential Amendments from the Bill of Rights are: the First Amendment- Religious and Political freedom: the Fourth Amendment- Search and Seizure: and the Sixth Amendment-Criminal Court Procedures.
The Bill of Rights includes several amendments describing the rights that people have as well as the things that are prohibited in our nation. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights states that “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 the redress of grievances.” This Amendment lists the five freedoms that all of the United States citizens have been given. (U.S. Const. amend. I)
The Bill of Rights refers to the original ten rights that were granted to all American citizens by the framers of the constitution. The bill of rights has given American citizens protection against the government, and stopped the government from infringing their individual rights since the inception of the constitution. The bill of rights has given Americans the freedom of worship, speech, protected the right to fair trial, free press, unusual as well as the right to bear arms. The amendment of the bill of rights has allowed the people’s rights to be expanded, and brought changes in the society, which have shaped the American society throughout the years.
The purpose of The Bill of Rights is to protect U.S. citizens from abuse of power that may be committed by the different areas of their government. It does this by expressing clear restrictions on the three braches of government laid out previously in the Constitution. As stated by Hugo Black, Associate Justice to the Supreme Court: “The bill of rights protects people by clearly stating what government can’t do by describing ‘the procedures that governmen...
Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. In America there is numerous of choices that someone may make on a daily basis. If someone were allowed to make their own choices and were being told what to do; then they would not be free. When someone is allowed to speak when they want to, and say what they want; such as their opinion or view of something. Being allowed to have a right to speak is one of the most important characteristics of being an American. Thinking and stating your opinion in any predicament it a strong part in being a citizen because people in the United States are known for being able to think in their own ways. Freedom can stretch too many things such as being able to do as they please, they are not forced into doing anything that someone may want. The citizens of the United States are not made to do anything that one may not want to do; like
Yet, still even with this, the American people still needed individual protection from the government. With this being said, the Bill of Rights was created to further protect the liberties of American citizens. The Bill of Rights is a list of ten amendments that would guarantee the rights of the people (Bill of Rights). This document was created to ensure the government did not get too much power, but current day it can be observed how the government is trying to clip away at these amendments, trying to convince the people that they are not necessary. This can be seen with the two most currently most debated amendments, the first and second (Discussing Controversial Topics). The First Amendment, as stated in the Bill of Rights, is as so, “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
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments in the constitution. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives use the Bill of Rights as a benchmark for all laws. It has to do with freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and press. It also secures the right to carry a gun, protection against housing soldiers in civilian homes, and more. The Bill of Rights protects various aspects of a free life. Americans live under the protection of the Bill of Rights on a daily basis. Without it, everyone in the U.S. would live restricted lives; no one would be able to petition the government, have a speedy trials, or even be informed of charges. There would also be unreasonable
The American Ideological Consensus is that “…the American people have shared much of the same ideals, the same basic principles, and the same patterns of belief” (McClenaghan 104). When America filled itself with ideologically homogenous people, their beliefs started to define our nation and became American identities. If asked what they think of America, peoples of other nations would say that the roads are made of glass, opportunity is in the air, and civil rights are plentiful. These accounts maybe accentuated; however, the underlying message is that the American people have more freedoms then the peoples of other nations do. The most widely known American identity is freedom, and even though that American identity has been tried and tested throughout much of its history, it can still be said that America is a land of liberty.
This well-known statement truly incorporates all facets of what it means to be free in America. The citizens of this country have the right to live. They have the right to be free of restriction and control, to do what they please. And they have the right to be happy in whatever way that might be. These rights are so basic, yet so vital.... ...