Post Revolution and Bill of Rights

1. Post Revolution and Bill of Rights

2. UNDERSTANDING THE CONSTITUTION • At the end of the American Revolution the people wanted to set up a new government called a republic that would limit government power.

3. UNDERSTANDING THE CONSTITUTION • This government became the new constitution. • Three branches of government were set up with a system of checks and balances.

4. Separation of Powers This separation balances the branches of government and keeps any one of them from growing too powerful. • Legislative Branch • Writes laws • Confirms presidential appointments • Approves treaties • Grants money • Declares war • Executive Branch • Proposes and administers laws • Commands armed forces • Appoints officials • Conducts foreign policy • Makes treaties • Judicial Branch • Interprets Constitution and other laws • Reviews lower-court decisions

6. THE BILL OF RIGHTS • Established after the new Constitution was established. • The first 10 amendments were to protect the rights of citizens.

7. Who determines what the Bill of Rights mean? • The Supreme Court makes rulings on the meaning • The Supreme Court balances the rights of the individual with the needs of society Individual?? Society??

8. The Bill of RightsThe First 10 Amendments to the Constitution • Take notes on the slides as they appear. • Draw pictures to represent at least four of the amendments.

9. 1st Amendment • The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition. • This means that 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)

10. 2nd Amendment • The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, which means the right to own a gun.

11. 3rd Amendment • The 3rd Amendment says “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.” • This means that we cannot be forced to house or quarter soldiers.

12. 4th Amendment • The 4th Amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches and seizures. • This means that the police must have a warrant to enter our homes. It also means the government cannot take our property, papers, or us, without a valid warrant based on probable cause (good reason).

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

16. 6th Amendment • The 6th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial (you can’t be kept in jail for over a year without a trial) • an impartial jury (doesn’t already think you are guilty) • that the accused can confront witnesses against them • the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer

17. 7th Amendment • The 7th Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy civil trial. • A civil trial differs from a criminal trial. A civil trial is when someone sues someone else. A criminal trial is when the state tries to convict someone of a crime.

18. 8th Amendment • The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set.

19. 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.

20. 10th Amendment • The 10th Amendment states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people. • Basically government can’t tell you how to live certain aspects of your life • Limited power

21. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship 8.3.6 • FACT • American citizenship involves great privileges and serious responsibilities. • Citizenship in the United States is determined in several ways. • Citizens are expected to fulfill a number of important duties. • Active citizen involvement in government and the community is encouraged. • The way the members of a group use their rights and carry out their responsibilities.

22. Citizenship in the United States is determined in several ways • Anyone born in the United States or U.S. territory is a citizen, as is anyone whose parent is a citizen. • Foreign-born people whose parents are not citizens can become naturalized citizens. • Legal immigrants may not vote or hold public office; the U.S. government can deport immigrants who break the law. • Legal immigrants may request naturalization after living in the United States for five years. • Naturalized citizens cannot become president or vice president and can lose their citizenship.

23. Becoming a Citizen To become a citizen, one must: • Be over 18 and support themselves financially or have someone assume financial responsibility for them • Be law-abiding and support the U.S. Constitution • Demonstrate understanding of written and spoken English • Show basic knowledge of U.S. history and government • Go before a naturalization court and take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

24. Citizens are expected to fulfill a number of important duties. • For a representative democracy to work, Americans need to fulfill their civic duties. • Duties include • Participating in elections • Obeying laws • Paying taxes • Defending the nation • Men over 18 may be required to serve in the military in the event of a draft. • Serving on juries

25. Active citizen involvement in government and the community is encouraged. • Taking part in the elections process by voting may be a citizen’s most vital duty. • Citizens should be informed about issues and candidates before voting. • Americans may choose to campaign for candidates or issues. • Many people help campaigns by giving money to political action committees (PACs).

26. Americans can influence government and help the community. • Work with interest groups, groups of people who share a common interest that motivates them to take political action • Write letters to government leaders • Attend city council meetings • Volunteer for community service groups • Neighborhood watch groups can help the police. • American Red Cross helps people in times of natural disasters and other emergencies. • Girl and Boy Scouts can help the environment and their community.