Learn the Bill of Rights

The steps

Tick them as you go. Your progress is kept even if you leave.

1. Step 16 min

   Read the first five, as written

   Most arguments about these are arguments about what people think they say.

   First. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

   Second. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

   Third. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

   Fourth. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

   Fifth. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

   Text: National Archives, The Bill of Rights

2. Step 26 min

   Read the second five

   Nine and Ten are the two nobody quotes, and they are the two that say the list is not the limit.

   Sixth. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

   Seventh. In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

   Eighth. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

   Ninth. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

   Tenth. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

   Ratified December 15, 1791. Twelve articles were sent to the states; the first two were not ratified at the time, which is why the third article on the page is the First Amendment as we know it.

   Text: National Archives, The Bill of Rights

3. Step 33 min

   Pick the one you would defend hardest, and say why out loud

   You do not really hold a position until you have had to put it in your own words.

   Not the one you are supposed to pick. The one you would actually argue for at a kitchen table.

   Then answer the harder half: what does it cost? Every one of these ten protects somebody you would rather it did not. That is the design, not a flaw in it.

4. Step 45 min

   Teach one amendment to a kid or a friend

   Teaching is the only test of understanding that cannot be faked.

   Pick the shortest one that matters to them. The Third is a good opener with kids because it sounds absurd until you explain that British troops really did live in colonists’ houses.

   One sentence on what it says. One sentence on what life looked like without it.

5. Step 55 min

   Name all ten from memory

   Ten is a short list. Knowing it cold changes how you read the news.

   Cover the text above and go. Speech, arms, quartering, searches, due process, trial, jury, punishment, unenumerated rights, the states.

   If you missed one, it is almost always the Third, the Seventh or the Ninth. Go back and read those three again.