1. Post Revolution and Bill of Rights

2. UNDERSTANDING THE CONSTITUTION
At the end of the American Revolution the people wanted to set up a new government called a republic that would limit government power.

3. UNDERSTANDING THE CONSTITUTION
This government became the new constitution.
Three branches of government were set up with a system of checks and balances.

4. Separation of Powers
This separation balances the branches of government and keeps any one of them from growing too powerful.
Legislative Branch
Writes laws
Confirms presidential appointments
Approves treaties
Grants money
Declares war
Executive Branch
Proposes and administers laws
Commands armed forces
Appoints officials
Conducts foreign policy
Makes treaties
Judicial Branch
Interprets Constitution and other laws
Reviews lower-court decisions

6. THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Established after the new Constitution was established.
The first 10 amendments were to protect the rights of citizens.

7. 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
Individual??
Society??

8. The Bill of Rights The First 10 Amendments to the Constitution
Take notes on the slides as they appear.
Draw pictures to represent at least four of the amendments.

9. 1st Amendment
The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition.
This means that we all have the right to:
practice any religion we want to
to speak freely
to assemble (meet)
to address the government (petition)
to publish newspapers, TV, radio, Internet (press)

10. 2nd Amendment
The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, which means the right to own a gun.

11. 3rd Amendment
The 3rd Amendment says “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
This means that we cannot be forced to house or quarter soldiers.

12. 4th Amendment
The 4th Amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches and seizures.
This means that the police must have a warrant to enter our homes. It also means the government cannot take our property, papers, or us, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason).

15. 5th Amendment
The 5th Amendment protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted, (accused)
You may not be tried twice for the same crime (double jeopardy)
You don’t have to testify against yourself in court. (Self-incrimination)

16. 6th Amendment
The 6th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial (you can’t be kept in jail for over a year without a trial)
an impartial jury (doesn’t already think you are guilty)
that the accused can confront witnesses against them
the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer

17. 7th Amendment
The 7th Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy civil trial.
A civil trial differs from a criminal trial. A civil trial is when someone sues someone else. A criminal trial is when the state tries to convict someone of a crime.

18. 8th Amendment
The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set.

19. 9th Amendment
All rights not stated in the Constitution and not forbidden by the Constitution belong to the people.
This means that the states can do what they want if the Constitution does not forbid it.

20. 10th Amendment
The 10th Amendment states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people.
Basically government can’t tell you how to live certain aspects of your life
Limited power

21. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
8.3.6
FACT
American citizenship involves great privileges and serious responsibilities.
Citizenship in the United States is determined in several ways.
Citizens are expected to fulfill a number of important duties.
Active citizen involvement in government and the community is encouraged.
The way the members of a group use their rights and carry out their responsibilities.

22. Citizenship in the United States is determined in several ways
Anyone born in the United States or U.S. territory is a citizen, as is anyone whose parent is a citizen.
Foreign-born people whose parents are not citizens can become naturalized citizens.
Legal immigrants may not vote or hold public office; the U.S. government can deport immigrants who break the law.
Legal immigrants may request naturalization after living in the United States for five years.
Naturalized citizens cannot become president or vice president and can lose their citizenship.

23. Becoming a Citizen To become a citizen, one must:
Be over 18 and support themselves financially or have someone assume financial responsibility for them
Be law-abiding and support the U.S. Constitution
Demonstrate understanding of written and spoken English
Show basic knowledge of U.S. history and government
Go before a naturalization court and take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

24. Citizens are expected to fulfill a number of important duties.
For a representative democracy to work, Americans need to fulfill their civic duties.
Duties include
Participating in elections
Obeying laws
Paying taxes
Defending the nation
Men over 18 may be required to serve in the military in the event of a draft.
Serving on juries

25. Active citizen involvement in government and the community is encouraged.
Taking part in the elections process by voting may be a citizen’s most vital duty.
Citizens should be informed about issues and candidates before voting.
Americans may choose to campaign for candidates or issues.
Many people help campaigns by giving money to political action committees (PACs).

26. Americans can influence government and help the community.
Work with interest groups, groups of people who share a common interest that motivates them to take political action
Write letters to government leaders
Attend city council meetings
Volunteer for community service groups
Neighborhood watch groups can help the police.
American Red Cross helps people in times of natural disasters and other emergencies.
Girl and Boy Scouts can help the environment and their community.