The Bill of Rights was an important addition to the US Constitution, added almost immediately after it was ratified. Not only did the promised addition of these first ten amendments help convince states to ratify the Constitution, these amendments carried on the American tradition of focusing on inalienable rights. The deep-rooted desire of the people to be free of government overreach and to be protected from tyranny is evidenced in their inclusion.

This course will dive into the importance of each of these early amendments, explaining why they were chosen at the time and how they are relevant to us today. After all, the Bill of Rights is not just a relic from the past. Today, these amendments are the source of many discussions and legal disputes throughout the United States. Without them, it seems likely that Americans would have less freedom, and the United States would stand less for liberty than it does today.