What Is the Bill of Rights? The First 10 Amendments Explained
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791. Here's what each one protects and why they were added.
Updated June 2026
Quick answer
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791. Drafted largely by James Madison, they were added to guarantee individual liberties and answer Anti-Federalist fears that the new federal government had too much power and too few limits.
Why was the Bill of Rights added?
The original Constitution focused on the structure of government and said little about individual rights. Anti-Federalists argued that was a dangerous gap, and several states ratified only on the promise that protections would be added. James Madison drew on the Virginia Declaration of Rights (written by George Mason) and proposals from the states to draft the amendments, which were ratified in 1791.
The ten amendments, in plain English
| Amendment | What it protects |
|---|---|
| First | Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition |
| Second | The right to keep and bear arms |
| Third | Freedom from being forced to quarter soldiers in your home |
| Fourth | Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures |
| Fifth | Due process, protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy |
| Sixth | The right to a speedy, public trial with a lawyer and an impartial jury |
| Seventh | The right to a jury trial in certain civil cases |
| Eighth | Protection against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment |
| Ninth | Rights not listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people |
| Tenth | Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people |
The often-overlooked Ninth and Tenth
The first eight amendments name specific rights. The Ninth and Tenth do something different and important: the Ninth says the list isn't exhaustive — you have rights beyond those written down — and the Tenth reserves all powers not granted to the federal government to the states or the people. Together they answer a core Anti-Federalist worry that any list of rights would be treated as the only rights you have.
Common questions
How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?
Ten. They were ratified together on December 15, 1791. The Constitution has been amended 27 times in total, but only the first ten make up the Bill of Rights.
Who wrote the Bill of Rights?
James Madison was the principal author, drawing heavily on George Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights and amendment proposals submitted by the state ratifying conventions.
Why isn't the right to vote in the Bill of Rights?
Voting rights were left largely to the states in 1791 and were expanded later through separate amendments — the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th. The Bill of Rights focused on protecting individuals from government overreach rather than defining who could vote.
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