The Framers of the U.S. Constitution added a bill of rights to the Constitution in 1787. The purpose of the addition was to ensure U.S. citizens’ individual rights. The U.S. Bill of Rights was the first 10 amendments added to the U.S. Constitution. Read an adapted version of the U.S. Bill of Rights below.

Click on the scroll below to read the bill of rights.

You may print a text version of the U.S. Constitution Preamble and Bill of Rights by clicking the link below.

U.S. Constitution Preamble and Bill of Rights

In the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights limits government and reserves some rights to the states and the people. The writers of the Texas Constitution used the U.S. Constitution as a model. The Texas Constitution also has a bill of rights.

In this lesson, you will learn about the bill of rights in the Texas Constitution. You will also identify ways in which Texas citizens can engage in civic participation.