Chapter 4

Rights and Responsibilities

Page 110

Bill of Rights

• Many argued that the Constitution needed a Bill of Rights to protect the Freedoms of Americans.

• In 1791 the Bill of Rights, written by James Madison was ratified as the first 10 amendments.

First Amendment

• Protects Personal Freedoms

• A. Freedom of Religion: Congress cannot establish a religion and Americans have the right to practice any religion or no religion.– Separation of church and state: division

between government and religion.

First Amendment cont

• B. Freedom of Speech:– Express out ideas and beliefs– Able to criticize the government– Cannot harm or slander– Schenck v. United States: court case that

ruled if an act of free speech can be closely linked to unlawful action the government has a right to stop it.

First Amendment cont

• C. Freedom of the Press– Includes print and electronic media– Cannot commit liable: rumor that

damages a persons reputation.

First Amendment cont

• D. Freedom of Assembly:– Hold meetings to discuss problems or

protest government– Must be peaceful

First Amendment cont

• E. Freedom to Petition: – Right to contact your representative and ask

for a change in the law or a new law.– Helps government learn what the citizens

want

Protecting Citizens

• 2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms and form a militia.

• 3rd Amendment: Prohibits the quartering, housing, of soldiers without permission

Rights of the Accused

• 4th Amendment: protection from unreasonable search and seizure: must have warrant or probable cause.

• 5th Amendment: Grand Jury must indict, or formally accuse. Also protects from self-incrimination, having to testify against oneself. Everyone is entitled to due process of the law, and can own private property.– Eminent Domain is the government’s power to

take private property for the public good.

Rights of the Accused cont

• 6th Amendment: right to a speedy and public trial by jury, must be informed of their charges, right to question witnesses, and the right to an attorney

• 7th Amendment: Trial by jury in certain cases involving money or property.

• 8th Amendment: Courts cannot set excessive bail. Forbids cruel or unusual punishment.

Rights of States and Citizens

• 9th Amendment: Rights not listed in the Constitution are still protected.

• 10th Amendment: Gives power to the states, all powers not listed in the Constitution do not belong to the federal government.

Review ??????????

• 1. What does eminent domain mean?

• 2. What amendment protects against cruel and unusual punishment?

• 3. What amendment forbids quartering of soldiers?

Review ???????

• 4. What amendment provides a speedy jury trial?

• 5. What amendment protects the right to bear arms?

Chapter 4

Section 2

Page 118

Early Voting

• 1st election in 1789– Voters were white, male, property owners

Civil Rights

• Civil rights are rights guaranteed to all US citizens

• Bill of Rights is foundation of civil rights

• Amendments were added to extend civil rights

Slavery

• 1863 Emancipation Proclamation banned slavery but did not free all the slaves

• 13th amendment outlawed slavery

14th Amendment

• Granted full citizenship to former slaves

• No state could take away rights without due process

• Equal protection under the law– No race or gender

Voting Rights

• Suffrage: right to vote

• No provision in the Constitution so left up to the states to decide

15th Amendment

• No MALE could be denied suffrage because of race or color

• *many southern states passed laws to prevent African Americans from voting, in the 1960 Civil Rights laws passed guaranteeing them the right to vote

17th Amendment

• Direct election of Senators by the people of the state

19th Amendment

• 1920, gave women the right to vote

• Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote in 1890– Famous suffragettes

• Susan B. Anthony• Carrie Chapman Catt• Lucretia Mott• Elizabeth Cady Stanton

More Amendments

• 23rd Amendment: people in Washington DC could vote for President

• 24th Amendment: got rid of poll tax: payment made to register to vote

• 26th Amendment: lowered voting age from 21 to 18, passed because of the Vietnam War

Review Question

• 1. What is the right to vote called?

• 2. What amendment freed the slaves?

• 3. Why was the voting age lowered to 18?

Review Question

• 4. What was the first state to give women the right to vote?

• 5. What are civil rights?

• 6. Why was eliminating the poll tax important?

Chapter 4

• Section 3

• Page 124

Duties of Citizenship

• A duty is something a citizen MUST do.

• 1. Obeying the laws– Society needs laws to maintain order– Not knowing the law is no excuse

Duties cont.

• 2. Attending School– Society needs well educated citizens to

continue to build the country

Duties cont.

• 3. Paying Taxes– Taxes provide government services

Duties cont

• 4. Serving in Armed Forces– Draft: law requiring men to serve in the

military. The last draft was 1973 for the Vietnam War

– 18 year old men must register with selective Service

– Rationed: limited, by law, amounts of household products, usually in war time

Duties cont

• 5. Appearing in Court – Jury duty: serving on a jury

Responsibilities

• Responsibilities are things citizens SHOULD do.

• 1. Voting– Important because it elects our leaders, and

many people fought for the right to vote

Respon. Cont

• 2. Being Informed– A good citizen know what is going on in their

country

Respons cont.

• 3. Taking part in government: running for office, writing your representatives, participating in elections

• 4. Helping your community– Volunteering: giving of your time and talents

to help others in your community, country, or world

Respon. Cont.

• 5. Respecting and protecting other’s rights– Rights of all should be protected

Review Questions:

• 1. What is the difference between a duty and a responsibility?

• 2. What are some ways you can help your community?

• 3. Why is voting important?

Review Questions:

• 4. Why do we pay taxes?

• 5. What happens if you do not serve jury duty?

• 6. What is limited goods?