文档

Even after years of tension between Great Britain and her North American colonies, separation from British rule was not inevitable. After months of attempted negotiations and the clash between British soldiers and militiamen at Lexington and Concord, the Continental Congress voted on July 2, 1776, 正式宣布独立. 两天后, 7月4日, Congress approved the final language of the 独立宣言 which listed grievances against King George III and his government. The Declaration began by asserting that “all men are created equal” and “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,“包括”生活, 自由和对幸福的追求.”

Since ratification by New Hampshire on June 21, 1788, the 宪法 of the United States has been the “supreme law of the land.” Drafted to remedy the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, the 宪法 was designed to “form a more perfect union,” creating a federal form of government based on separation of powers, checks and balances and limited government derived from “We the people.”

Among the most significant objections to the 宪法 was its lack of a bill of rights. 促进批准, promises were made to propose a bill of rights when the first Congress would convene, a promise kept in 1789 when Congress proposed twelve amendments to the 宪法 guaranteeing freedom of religion, 演讲, 新闻, 组装, 轴承的手臂, 陪审团庭审, speedy and public trials and due process of law as well as protection from unreasonable searches and seizure, 过度的保释, 以及残酷和不寻常的惩罚. 到12月15日, 1791, ten of the twelve amendments were ratified and became known as the 人权法案.