Citizenship handbook Section 7 - 10

Amending the constitution Even though the framers of the Constitution were happy with it when it was completed, they understood immediately that some things needed to be added 1791 – Bill of Rights Article 5 of the Constitution explains the process needed to amend the Constitution

The Amendment Process This is a two step process It begins in either the Congress with 2/3 vote or a National Convention in which 2/3 of state legislatures ask for it It is ratified by either ¾ of state legislatures or conventions of ¾ of the states

What does all of this mean? How many times have we changed the Constitution since 1787? How many times have we changed it since 1791? Does this seem like an easy process? Why is that?

The first Amendment Five basic freedoms: Freedom of speech Freedom of religion Freedom of press Freedom of assembly Freedom of petition

State & Local Government Anything not mentioned in the Constitution is left to the states and local governments by the principle of federalism State governments are set up just as the federal government

Local governments Henry County Village of Annawan http://visithenrycounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Henry-County-Illinois-Courthouse-Cambridge-Illinois.jpg

Rights & responsibilities of citizens You become a U.S. citizen by: You were born here or have at least one parent who is a citizen You were naturalized: a. live in the U.S. for five years b. you apply for citizenship c. take a exam d. undergo interviews e. swear oath to Constitution and laws of U.S. 3. You were 18 years or younger when you parents became naturalized

Rights & responsibility Examples of rights would include everything in the Constitution, state rights, and local freedoms too Responsibilities include: serving in the military if called serving on juries paying taxes obeying laws voting serving in the community staying informed on issues