Civil Liberties versus the USA Patriot Act

In the early 18th century, Great Britain colonized parts of North America to supply itself with raw materials and capital. The early colonists came to this country to start a new life. Many of them felt that the British government had too much control over their new lives. The colonists worked very hard, but the government imposed many taxes and created the Quartering Act which said that a colonist had to supply a British solider with shelter and food for an indefinite period of time. The colonists were not given their civil liberties and felt that they could create a better government and it was just a matter of time before they would rebel against the British and form their own government. The colonists fought the American Revolution to gain the freedoms they rightfully deserved. Once America became a country, the founding fathers created the Constitution of the United States and the first ten amendments were devoted to stating the civil liberties every person in the United States is guaranteed. These amendments were named the Bill of Rights. The Constitution has protected the people of the United States from the government except during times of war when civil liberties were compromised in the name of national security. For example, during the Civil War, Lincoln discontinued habeas corpus and instituted military tribunals.…