The Amendments Ch. 3.4 Bill of Rights; The first 10 amendments to the U. S. Constitution Objective; SWBAT, understand how the amendments to the Constitution show the development of democracy in the United States?
Who determines what the Bill of Rights mean? The Supreme Court makes rulings on the meaning. The Supreme Court balances the rights of the individual with the needs of society
The Bill of Rights (pages 83–87) These ten amendments originally applied only to the federal government, but through a series of Supreme Court decisions now apply to state governments also. The 1 st Amendment protects individuals’ right to worship, to speak freely, to assemble, and to petition and criticize government.
Free Speech Limits Threaten to blow up airplanes, schools, or the president Sexual harassment Create social chaos Extremely crude language in a public forum Disrespectful, vulgar language in schools Hate crimes
Freedom of Religion Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise there of.” Two clauses: – Establishment clause -Establishment Clause: Government cannot promote religion. – Free Exercise clause - Choose any religion, Lead a prayer in most instances - Ask questions about religions
Freedom of the Press: The Press - Can Print any political position Make fun of people, especially politicians Expose wrongs by the government Say things you might not agree with Cannot Libel– intentionally injuring a person’s reputation by false facts - Disclose classified government secrets - Detail how to make a certain weapons
Freedom of Assembly Protest - Parade (with a permit) - Parade chanting hate slogans - Gather in public Petition the government You may sue the government for wrongs. You cannot be punished for exposing wrongs by the government. The courts decide the wrongs.
2 nd 3 rd & 4 th The 2 nd Amendment ensures citizens’ right to own firearms. The 3 rd Amendment prohibits the government from forcing people to provide shelter for soldiers in their homes. What is the debate with the right to bear arms – How much can the government do to keep guns from criminals and youth? – In order to keep guns away from criminals, does that limit the right of law abiding citizens?
Amendments 4-8 Preserve the Rights of the Accused.
4 th & 5 th The 4 th Amendment protects individuals from unlawful searches and arrests without court warrants. The 5 th Amendment protects people charged with a crime: – a grand jury must indict them before trial – no one found innocent can be retried for the same crime – people cannot be forced to testify against themselves – and no one can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
6 th 7 th & 8 th The 6 th Amendment guarantees accused persons the right to know the charges against them, – Defense attorney, – Speedy jury trial, – The right to question all witnesses and compel them to testify The 7 th Amendment provides individuals the right to a trial by jury to settle property disputes, though a judge may try the case if both parties agree. The 8 th Amendment prohibits excessive bail and fines and bars cruel and unusual punishment for crimes.
9 th & 10 th The 9 th Amendment states that all powers not spelled out in the Constitution are retained by the people. The 10 th Amendment says that all powers not given to the national government or denied to the states belong to the states or the people
Other Amendments The 11 th Amendment prohibits a state from being sued in federal court by citizens of another state. The 12 th Amendment provides that the Electoral College shall cast separate ballots for president and vice president. The 13 th, 14 th, and 15 th Amendments outlawed slavery, prohibited depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property without “due process of law,” and prohibited denying the right to vote based on race. The later amendments, Sixteen through Twenty-seven, deal with a wide range of topics reflecting changes in modern times.