Basic documents affecting American Society

to protect and nurture these rights or else the people may overthrow it.

BILL OF RIGHTS:

Many of the rights contained in the Bill of Rights were developed in England during the

Middle Ages as attempts to limit the power of the king. Several of the rights, such as freedom of speech, of the press, and of

religion, are considered necessary for the citizens to enjoy maximum freedom. The pamphlet was a violent attack on monarchy

and on king George 111 and was a strong plea for an immediate declaration of indepen-

dence. It sold more than one 100,000 copies within three months and led to a major increase

in agitation for independence. The oldest

written constitution still in use among the major nations, it has had great influence on

constitutions later adopted by other countries. These are the ten amendments to

the Constitution. The Cons-

titution was described the then British Prime Minister William Gladstone as ‘the most

wonderful work ever struck off at one time by the brain and purpose of man. Others such

as those of assembly and petition, enable the citizens to take active part in government.

THE CONSTITUTION:

Constitution of the United States is the supreme law and plan of the government.

finally, some of the rights, such as the right to trial by jury, are designed to guarantee just

treatment to a citizen who is accused of wrongdoing.

The rights that Declaration cites, such as the right to life, are defined as natural rights given

to man by God and not privileges granted by the government.

The principle of limited government, as enshrined in the Constitution, was applied in several

ways.