What Are Civil Liberties?
The U.S. Bill of Rights laid a foundation for civil rights and civil liberties for citizens in the United States. Read this article, which explains the difference between these two concepts. How have they evolved since the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788? Now, let's take a moment to do some primary source analysis. Choose two primary source documents written between 1786 and 1800. Answer these questions for each document: Who authored the document? Were they in favor or opposed to the Bill of Rights/Constitution? Was it written before or after the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788? What is the argument in the document? Does it support or oppose the Constitution and Bill of Rights? Where do you see Enlightenment ideology? Is the document a Federalist or Anti-Federalist document, and how did it help establish the U.S. government?
Proclamation of Neutrality 1793
Introduction
France declared war against Great Britain and Holland early in April, 1793.
President Washington called a
special cabinet meeting,
which resulted in this declaration of neutrality.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
A PROCLAMATION
Whereas it appears that a state of war exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia, Great Britain, and the United Netherlands, of the one part, and France on the other; and the duty and interest of the United States require, that they should with sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerant Powers;
I have therefore thought fit by these presents to declare the disposition of the United States to observe the conduct aforesaid towards those Powers respectfully; and to exhort and warn the citizens of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings whatsoever, which may in any manner tend to contravene such disposition.
And I do hereby also make known, that whatsoever of the citizens of the United States shall render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under the law of nations, by committing, aiding, or abetting hostilities against any of the said Powers, or by carrying to any of them those articles which are deemed contraband by the modern usage of nations, will not receive the protection of the United States, against such punishment or forfeiture; and further, that I have given instructions to those officers, to whom it belongs, to cause prosecutions to be instituted against all persons, who shall, within the cognizance of the courts of the United States, violate the law of nations, with respect to the Powers at war, or any of them.
In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand. Done at the city of Philadelphia, the twenty-second day of April, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the seventeenth.