Nutshell #1 - Bill of Rights- Constitutional amendments, ratified 1791

      One of the main Anti-federalist complaint agains the Constitution was that it lacked an individual bill of rights protecting citizens from potential government abuse. As a compromise between the two political groups the Bill of Rights was add.
First Amendment: Intellectual rights.
Second Amendment: Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a wel regulated militia. 
Third Amendment: No quartering of soldiers.
Fourth Amendment: Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Fifth Amendment: Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy.
Sixth Amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial.
Seventh Amendment: Right of trial by jury in civil cases.
Eighth Amendment: Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.
Ninth Amendment: Other rights of the people
Tenth Amendment: Powers reserved to the states.
     The Bill of Rights gave more rights and helped protect some rights that were already present. By knowing your rights it helps you when you are in a troubled situation. It is also a tribute to a great compromise that brought our government together, and made our government one of the strongest governments in the world.

Nutshell 3: Old Hickory http://briannalynn22.blogspot.com/2011/02/nutshell-3-old-hickory.html
Nutshell 2: http://christiantsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident.html