Rights and Responsibilities

NEXT

Section 1: The Bill of Rights

The freedoms spelled out in the Bill of Rights—the freedoms of religion, speech, the press, and petition, and the right to a speedy and fair trial—are essential to our democratic system.

Reading Focus

• Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

• How does the First Amendment protect personal freedoms?

• What other rights does the Bill of Rights guarantee?

NEXT

The Main Idea

The Bill of Rights

• Americans wanted their rights written into the Constitution.

• Several states recommended that a bill of rights be drafted upon ratification of the Constitution.

• 1791—The Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution.

Section 1: The Bill of Rights1SECTION

NEXT

The First Amendment protects personal freedoms.

• Freedom of religion

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of the press

• Freedom of assembly

• Freedom of petition

Section 1: The Bill of Rights1SECTION

NEXT

Other rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights include:

• Second—Right to bear arms

• Fourth—Protection from unreasonable search and seizure of private property

• Fifth—Right to a fair trial and due process of law; right to own property

• Sixth—Right of the accused to a have a lawyer

• Eighth—Forbids cruel and unusual punishment

• Ninth—States that not all rights are listed in the Constitution

Section 1: The Bill of Rights1SECTION

NEXT

Question: What rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Section 1: The Bill of Rights1SECTION

NEXT

Question: What rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

• Separation of church and state

• The inclusion of rights not specifically listed in the Constitution

• Freedom of the press

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of petition

• Freedom of assembly

• No quartering of soldiers

• The right to bear arms

• Protection for those accused

• Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

Section 1: The Bill of Rights1SECTION

NEXT

Section 2: Guaranteeing Other Rights

Other amendments to the Constitution expanded the civil rights of Americans.

Reading Focus

• How did the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments extend civil rights?

• Which amendments extended Americans' voting rights?

NEXT

The Main Idea

Civil Rights

• The Thirteenth Amendment outlawed slavery in the United States in1865.

• The Fourteenth Amendment granted full citizenship to African Americans in 1868 and protected citizens against unfair actions by state governments.

Section 2: Guaranteeing Other Rights2SECTION

NEXT

Voting Rights

• 1870 – The Fifteenth Amendment guaranteed the right to vote to African American men.

• 1913 – The Seventeenth Amendment gave voters power to elect their senators.

• 1920 – The Nineteenth Amendment granted suffrage to women.

Section 2: Guaranteeing Other Rights2SECTION

NEXT

Voting Rights (continued)

• 1961 – The Twenty-third Amendment gave citizens of Washington, D.C., the right to vote for president and vice president.

• 1964 – The Twenty-fourth Amendment forbade poll taxes.

• 1971 – The Twenty-sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.

Section 2: Guaranteeing Other Rights2SECTION

NEXT

Question: Which amendments extended Americans' voting rights?

Section 2: Guaranteeing Other Rights2SECTION

NEXT

Question: Which amendments extended Americans' voting rights?

Amendments that Extended Voting Rights

• Fifteenth Amendment

• Seventeenth Amendment

• Nineteenth Amendment

• Twenty-third Amendment

• Twenty-fourth Amendment

• Twenty-sixth Amendment

Section 2: Guaranteeing Other Rights2SECTION

NEXT

Section 3: Citizens' Duties and Responsibilities

Along with the rights and freedoms of U.S. citizenship come important duties and responsibilities.

Reading Focus

• What are the duties of citizenship?

• What are the responsibilities of citizenship?

NEXT

The Main Idea

Duties of citizenship:

• Obeying the law

• Attending school

• Paying taxes

• Taking part in government

• Appearing in court

Section 3: Citizens' Duties and Responsibilities3SECTION

NEXT

Responsibilities of Citizenship

• Voting

• Being informed

• Serving in the armed forces

• Helping your community

• Respecting and protecting others' rights

Section 3: Citizens' Duties and Responsibilities3SECTION

NEXT

Question: What are the responsibilities of citizenship?

Section 3: Citizens' Duties and Responsibilities3SECTION

NEXT

Question: What are the responsibilities of citizenship?

Responsibilities of Citizenship

• voting

• respecting others' rights

• being informed

• helping the community

• taking part in government

Section 3: Citizens' Duties and Responsibilities3SECTION

NEXT

• Which amendments focus on the rights of people accused of crimes? What rights do these amendments guarantee?

• Why was the Ninth Amendment included in the Bill of Rights?

• How did the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments extend the civil rights of Americans?

• How have voting rights been expanded through constitutional amendments?

• What are the duties of citizenship?

• What are the responsibilities of citizenship?

Chapter 4 Wrap-Up

NEXT

Wrap-Up