First Amendment of the United States Constitution (1791)

• “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.”

Document Purpose

• The First Amendment gives protection not previously offered to freedom of speech, religion, and press in the United States Constitution.

Document Bias

• Since the United States declared independence from Britain for reasons like those in the First Amendment, they must be written into the Constitution or else discontent would arise again.

Outside Information/Inferences

• Is part of the bill of rights• Was limited in power by Schenck v. U.S. and

Debs V. United States• Specifically referred to the rights not given by

Britain during colonial control.

Document Menu