When did the 13 original states ratify the Constitution
between 1787 and 1790
Why did Thomas Jefferson want a 'Bill of Rights'?
to provide clear definition of the freedom of religion and press as well as against standing armies
Why did Hamilton think we didn't need a Bill of Rights?
He didn't think the new nation needed laws to stop the government from doing things that the Constitution didn't give it power to do. Each state already had its own Bill of Rights
Who proposed a list of amendments that focused on individual rights?
James Madison
When did the Bill of Rights pass?
1791 -- states ratified 10 of James Madison's amendments
What is the Bill of Rights?
First 10 amendments to the Constitution that deal with individual rights.
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, abridging (limit) the freedom of speech, press, peaceable assembly, and the right of the people to petition the Government for a redress of grievances .
Freedom of religion
Congress cannot establish an official national religion. Interpreted as 'separation of church and state'
separation of church and state
clear division between government and religion
Freedom of speech
protects a citizens right to express their ideas and opinions openly
Freedom of speech
allows for the criticizing of the government
Limits to Freedom of speech
cannot use free speech to cause physical harm; cannot be linked to an unlawful action
Freedom of Press
right to express ideas in writing -- electronic as well as print
Freedom of Press limitations
writers cannot spread libel -- rumors that damage a persons reputation
Freedom of Assmebly
freedom to hold meetings
Freedom of Petition
right to ask the government to address citizens concerns
Which amendments are designed to protect citizens
2nd and 3rd
Second Amendment
State militias can continue as an armed means of defense and ensures that individual citizens have a right to own a firearm
Third Amendment
prohibits the quartering of soldiers without permission
Which amendments are designed to protect the rights of the accused
4th-8th
Fourth Amendment
protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure
Search Warrant
legal document issued by a judge that describes the place to be searched and the people or items to be seized
When can a police officer conduct a search without a warrant?
if they have probable cause to believe there is a danger to public safety or that criminal activity is involved
Fifth Amendment (5 things)
(1)Before a person can be tried for a serious crime, such as murder, a grand jury must indict, or formally accuse, the individual of the crime. Also protects from (2)self-incrimination or having to testify against oneself and (3)double jeopardy, or being
due process of law
person cannot be punished for a crime until the law has been fairly applied to his/her case
self-incrimination
testifying against oneself
Grand Jury
determines if enough evidence exists to go to trial for serious crimes
Eminent Domain
power to take private property for public use as long as just compensation is given
Sixth Amendment (5)
(1)a person accused of a crime has the right to a prompt and public trial decided by a jury. Person charged with a crime (2) must be informed of the charges against them, (3) has the right to hear and questions all witnesses against them, and (4) has the
Seventh Amendment
provides for a trial by jury in certain kinds of cases involving money or property
Eight Amendment
to ensure that people accused of crimes come back for trial, a judge can order them to pay bail. This amendment ensures that the courts cannot set excessive bail amounts. Also forbids cruel and unusual punishment.
bail
money or property that the accused gives the court to hold
Which amendments ensure that Americans would enjoy other rights and freedoms not mentioned in the Bill of Rights?
9th and 10th
Ninth Amendment
implies that Americans enjoy basic rights not listed in the constitution
Tenth Amendment
gives states the power to act independently of the federal government to protect citizen's rights
Civil Rights
rights guaranteed to all US citizens
Thirteenth Amendment
ratified in 1863, Outlawed slavery in all states and areas governed by the US
Emancipation Proclamation
banned slavery in the Confederate states
Fourteenth Amendment
ratified in 1868, full citizenship to African Americans, no state can take away a citizen's 'life, liberty, or property without due process of law'. Guarantees equal protection of all citizens within a state
principle
a basic belief, rule, or law
voting
one of the basic principles of citizenship
Which amendments extended the right to vote to all US citizens
15th,17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 26th
suffrage
right to vote
Fifteenth Amendment
ratified in 1870; no one can be denied suffrage because of race or color
Seventeenth Amendment
ratified in 1913; calls for direct election of senators
Which amendment strengthened the principle of direct representation by making senators answerable to the voters and not other polititians
17th
Nineteenth Amendment
ratified in 1920; gives all women the right to vote
Twenty-Third Amendment
ratified in 1961; gives citizens living in the District of Columbia (Washington DC)
Twenty-fourth Amendment
ratified in 1964; abolished poll tax in national elections
poll tax
tax a person has to pay in order to register to vote
Twenty-sixth Amendment
ratified in 1971; lowered the voting age to 18
Duties of citizens (5)
(1) Obey the law (2)attend school (3) pay taxes (4) serve in the armed forces (5)appear in court (jury duty)
draft
requires men of certain ages and qualifications to serve in the military
rationed
something limited by law to a certain amount per household
jury duty
when a citizen is called to be on a jury
Repsonsibilities of citizens(5)
(1) Vote (2) Be informed (3) take part in government (4) help your community (5) respect and protect other's rights