Bill of Rights Amending the Constitution Amendment to
Bill of Rights
Amending the Constitution • Amendment: to change or add to a document. • The Constitution originally said nothing about the rights. • Article 5, amends the Constitution. • There are 27 Amendments.
1 st Amendment • The 1 st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition. • • • 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)
2 nd Amendment • The 2 nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, • You have a right to own a gun.
3 rd Amendment • The 3 rd Amendment says “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house. . . ” • This means that we cannot be forced to house or quarter soldiers.
4 th Amendment • The 4 th Amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches and seizures. • The police must have a warrant to enter our homes. • The government cannot take our property, papers, or us, without a valid warrant
5 th Amendment • The 5 th 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 (no double jeopardy) • You don’t have to testify against yourself in court. (Self-incrimination)
6 th Amendment • The 6 th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial. (Criminal Trial) • An impartial jury. • The accused can confront witnesses against them • The accused must be allowed to have a lawyer
7 th Amendment • The 7 th Amendment guarantees the rights as the 6 th but for civil trial. • A civil trial is when someone sues someone else. • A criminal trial is when the state tries to convict someone of a crime.
8 th Amendment • The 8 th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be: • fair • not cruel, • and that large fines.
9 th 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.
10 th Amendment • The 10 th Amendment states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people.
Bill of Rights Comic • Make a comic strip using all 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights • Your must have the following: – Brainstorm different examples – 10 panels – You must use all of the Bill of Rights • It must all connect to make a story – Must have pics, color and dialog
Amending the Constitution • What rights do the Fifth through Eighth amendments guarantee? All Americans receive equal treatment before the law.
State and Local Government • The Constitution divides power between the federal government and state governments. The states concern themselves with local needs. • The State governments are like the federal government. • Each state has its own constitution that can be amended. • States have the same three branches of government as the federal government. • There are some differences between federal and state governments. Nebraska, is the only state in the Union with a onehouse legislature.
State and Local Governments Powers of the National Government Powers Reserved to The States -Regulate interstate And foreign trade Shared Powers -Set standard weights And measures -Provide for -Create and maintain Public welfare Armed forces -administer -Make copyright and Criminal justice Patent laws -Charter banks -Establish post offices -Raise taxes -Establish foreign policy -Borrow money -Create federal courts -Coin money -Declare war -Admit new states -Create corporation Law -Regulate trade within State -Maintain schools -Establish local Governments -Make laws about marriage And divorce -Conduct elections -Provide for public safety
State and Local Governments State Government Each state has it own Constitution State government made Up of: -Executive (headed by Governor) -Legislature -Judiciary Powers of State Government: -create corporate law -regulate trade within State -maintain schools -establish local Government -make laws about Marriage and divorce Conduct elections -provide for public safety
State and Local Governments Local Government Includes county, city and town. Most of local budges are spent on education. Local governments hire teachers, firefighters, police officers, and garbage collectors. Local governments maintain roads and hospitals and provide public services.
Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship -A citizen is entitled to all rights and privileges of a particular nation. -To be a citizen of the United States, a person must be one of the following: 1. Born in the United States. 2. Have a parent who is a citizen. Be 18 or younger when parents are naturalized. Naturalization is the official legal process of becoming a citizen. Steps in process include: 1. Live in the United States for five years. 2. Apply for citizenship. 3. Take citizenship exam. 4. Undergo interviews. 5. Take a citizenship oath.
State and Local Governments Citizenship (cont) - Some responsibilities of citizens are required by law. - Other responsibilities are not required by law. These include serving the community, staying well informed, voting in elections and helping to create a just society.
State and Local Government • How are state governments similar to the federal government? Both have constitutions that can be amended; both are divided into three branches.
State and Local Government • What is the top priority of most local governments? Education.
Amending the Constitution • Essential Question: • How can the Constitution be amended to meet changing needs? • Two ways: 1. Both houses of Congress vote for an amendment; 2. State legislatures call for a national convention.
- Slides: 25