Amendments to the US Constitution
The US Constitution has several important amendments.
The first ten Amendments to the Constitution protect all of the basic freedoms of Americans and are known as the Bill of Rights. The most famous are perhaps the first, second and fifth Amendments.
First Amendment
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.
Americans believe that freedom of speech and expression are essential for any democracy. To debate and vote, to assemble and protest, to worship, to ensure justice for all - these all rely upon the unrestricted flow of speech and information.
For example, in the US presidential election in 2024, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two most likely candidates to contest the election, will use their right to free speech to try and encourage American citizens to vote for them. At national campaign rallies, on television appearances and on social media, both candidates will have the guaranteed right to speak freely.
Pressure groups or interest groups
also enjoy the freedoms the Constitution provides to be active in politics and religious groups are often particularly outspoken in American politics. The National Rifle Association uses the freedoms provided by the first Amendment to campaign for gun rights.
Second Amendment
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.
There is a great deal of controversy around the 2nd Amendment which allows American citizens the right to own a gun.
America won its War of Independence in 1783 against Britain with a citizen’s army. After the war was over, citizens were allowed to keep their weapons. Guns and rifles in those days were basic.
Today, it is possible for an American to purchase very sophisticated military equipment. In the aftermath of numerous mass shootings – more than 40,000 people were killed by guns in 2023 - there have been calls for gun laws to be amended and even for there to be a new constitutional amendment.
The pressure group the National Rifle Association (NRA) is well supported and funded and opposes such reform. The Brady Campaign, on the other hand, spend millions of dollars every year trying advocating greater gun control through stronger laws to reduce gun violence.
Fifth Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a crime, unless they have been judged by a jury (except in cases arising 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.
If brought to court an American citizen can take the Fifth
. This means that he or she does not have to give evidence that may self-incriminate (make themselves appear guilty).
Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre
There has been controversy surrounding the Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre since it opened in 2002. Many of prisoners held there continue to be detained without a fair trial with a jury.
The US government describes the men held at Guantanamo Bay as enemy combatants
. However, human rights groups such as Amnesty International accuse the US military who run the camp of human rights abuse.
When President Obama was elected, he said he would close this facility, but failed to do so. In 2023, 35 men remained in the detention centre. (Source: Amnesty International)