Final answer:
Civil rights originate from the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment, the latter of which includes the Equal Protection Clause ensuring equal treatment under state laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'Civil rights originate from where?' can be addressed by mentioning several historical documents, but one primary source stands out. Civil rights, defined as government guarantees of equal treatment under the law, were significantly influenced by constructs established in the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and particularly the Fourteenth Amendment. This latter amendment is crucial for ensuring equal protection to all individuals under the state's jurisdiction.
The Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment work in tandem to protect civil liberties and rights. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments of the Constitution and was added in 1791, ensuring freedoms such as religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition rights. It also addresses due process and rights associated with crime. The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, is pivotal, fortifying these protections against infringement by state governments. Its Equal Protection Clause mandates that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Therefore, while the Declaration of Independence laid philosophical groundwork by stating that 'all men are created equal,' the concrete legal safeguards for civil rights originate from the Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.