Giulia Socolof 1/19/13 Humanities 6: Community and Self

N.A.H.C. ________________________________________________

Let Freedom Ring!

America: 1773. The Boston Tea Party. Dressed as Native Americans, the Colonists climbed on board a ship late at night that was loaded with tea. To protest the Tea Act, a tax by the British on tea, they dumped 325 tons of tea into the Boston harbor. One of the most significant events in American history, this was one of several the early Colonists performed in order to protest the unfair taxes, but mostly to assert the lack of freedom under the then current government. These events led up to the Revolutionary War, and, eventually, the Colonists freedom from oppression. The First Amendment to the Constitution now guards this very freedom. Because of that, it is the most important amendment to the Constitution. The early Americans always felt a very strong desire to affirm their right to be free. Many gave up their homes and lives in Europe with the hope to start a new life in the New World. Groups such as the Pilgrims and the Puritans came here to gain their religious freedom in the 1600s. Many of the Colonists that came here in the 1700s came here because they wanted more freedom of expression or economic opportunity. However, before the Revolutionary War and the consequent drafting of the First Amendment, the Colonists were denied these fundamental freedoms. The First Amendment was written because the Colonists felt they were being taken advantage of by the English government, and they did not have any of the rights addressed in the amendment. They felt they were taxed unfairly. Laws such as the Stamp Act and the Tea Act made the Colonists pay for common paper items and tea. Instead of

putting the money collected back into helping develop the colonies, Britain put it into a land that was 3,000 miles away, and to pay for the French War. So, the colonists were paying money that was used for things that other people wanted, not for the good of their community. The colonists were denied having the right to petition and question the government, the right to speak freely, and protest their grievances. But after the Revolutionary War was won, the Founding Fathers drafted this amendment as the First amendment because they believed Americans should forever be guaranteed these fundamental freedoms. The First Amendment text reads: 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. It specifically addresses five areas of freedom: freedom of religion, speech, press, right to assemble, and right to petition the government. The freedom of religion protects our right to practice our religious beliefs, or to have no religion. The freedom of speech gives us the right to say and express ourselves politically how we so choose. The freedom of the press gives us the right to publish anything in a work of literature or artwork. The freedom to assemble gives us the right to gather with whom we want for any lawful purpose. And the freedom to petition the government gives us the right to question and criticize the government and its methods, and demand changes. The First Amendment is considered the most important amendment because it is the amendment that directly protects the fundamental freedoms of all Americans,

which the government will never be able to take away. These freedoms are not just a privilege. They are inalienable rights. The First Amendment protects the freedoms that the colonists hoped to get when they came to the New World. These freedoms helped everyone in America then, and everyone in America today. They constitute the cornerstone of our democracy. We enjoy and practice these freedoms every day of our life, which is one more reason why the First Amendment plays a huge part into making America the great country it is today.