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.

1st Amendment• The 1st 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)

2nd Amendment

• The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms,

• You have a right to own a gun.

3rd Amendment

• The 3rd 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.

4th Amendment

• The 4th 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

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 (no double jeopardy)

• You don’t have to testify against yourself in court. (Self-incrimination)

6th Amendment• The 6th

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

7th Amendment

• The 7th Amendment guarantees the rights as the 6th 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.

8th Amendment

• The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be:

• fair • not cruel, • and that large

fines.

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.

10th Amendment

• The 10th 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 one-house legislature.

State and Local Governments

Powers of the NationalGovernment

Powers Reserved toThe States

Shared Powers

-Regulate interstateAnd foreign trade-Set standard weightsAnd measures-Create and maintainArmed forces-Make copyright andPatent laws-Establish post offices-Establish foreign policy-Create federal courts-Coin money-Declare war-Admit new states

-Provide forPublic welfare-administerCriminal justice-Charter banks-Raise taxes-Borrow money

-Create corporationLaw-Regulate trade withinState-Maintain schools-Establish localGovernments-Make laws about marriageAnd divorce-Conduct elections-Provide for public safety

State and Local Governments

State Government

Each state has it ownConstitution

State government made Up of:-Executive (headed byGovernor)-Legislature-Judiciary

Powers of State Government:-create corporate law-regulate trade withinState-maintain schools-establish local Government-make laws about Marriage and divorceConduct elections-provide for public safety

State and Local GovernmentsLocal 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 GovernmentsCitizenship (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.