When most people think of the Constitution, they think of the document that outlines the basic rules for how our government works. But there’s more to the Constitution than just those rules – it also includes the Bill of Rights, which protects individual rights and freedoms.
What is Constitution?
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It was signed on September 17, 1787 by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took effect on March 4, 1789. The Constitution created a federal government with three branches: the legislative branch (Congress), the executive branch (the President), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court and other federal courts).
The Constitution also sets forth the principles upon which the government is founded, including separation of powers, federalism, and republicanism. In addition, the Constitution establishes certain rights and protections for individuals, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and due process of law. The Constitution is a living document that has been amended 27 times since it was first ratified. It is the longest-lasting constitution in world history.
What is Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights is the first of ten amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments protect individual rights such as freedom of speech and religion. They also establish the federal government’s power and limits. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. The Bill of Rights was a response to the critics who said that the Constitution did not do enough to protect individual liberties.
The Framers of the Constitution wanted to address these concerns, so they added the Bill of Rights as a safety net. The Bill of Rights has been amended 27 times since it was ratified. One of the most famous amendments is the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
Difference between Constitution and Bill of Rights
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are two of the most important documents in American history.
- The Constitution establishes the framework for the federal government, while the Bill of Rights protects the individual rights of Americans. While both documents are essential to the functioning of our democracy, there are some key differences between them.
- The Constitution sets forth the structure of the federal government, including the three branches of government and the system of checks and balances between them.
- In contrast, the Bill of Rights does not establish any new political institutions; instead, it simply lists a number of individual rights that Americans possess.
- These include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial. Importantly, the Bill of Rights also includes a provision that protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
While the Constitution and the Bill of Rights serve different purposes, they are both essential to the American way of life. Together, they provide a blueprint for our democracy and ensure that all Americans can enjoy their rights and liberties.
Conclusion
The Constitution is the document that establishes the structure of the United States government. The Bill of Rights are the first of 10 amendments to the Constitution and they protect individual liberties.
- The Constitution is a living document because it can be amended. The Bill of Rights are also living documents because they have been amended over time to reflect changes in our society.
- The Constitution is more important than the Bill of Rights. The Constitution lays out the framework for our government while the Bill of Rights protects our individual liberties.
