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Chapter 4, Section 1. “The First Amendment”. The “Bill of Rights”. The “Bill of Rights”. Added in 1791, the first 10 amendments are known as the “ Bill of Rights ”. They place limits on the government and guarantee our “ civil liberties ” as American citizens. “Civil Liberties”.
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The “Bill of Rights” • Added in 1791, the first 10 amendments are known as the “Bill of Rights”. • They place limits on the government and guarantee our “civil liberties” as American citizens.
“Civil Liberties” • “Civil liberties” are freedoms we have to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair treatment.
“Civil Liberties” • “Civil liberties”, however, do not allow American citizens to do things like break the law. • “Your rights end where someone else’s begin”… • Your rights are balanced against the rights of others and the good of the community.
“R.A.S.S.D.A.T. E.P.S.” • R.A.S.S.D.A.T. E.P.S is an easy way to remember the “Bill of Rights”.
“R.A.S.S.D.A.T. E.P.S.” • R = Religion, Assembly, Speech, Press, Petition • A = Arms • S = Soldier Quartering • S = Search & Seizure (privacy amendment) • D = Double Jeopardy, Due process, eminent Domain and you Don’t have to testify against yourself (rights of the accused) • A = Attorney & fair and speedy trial • T = Trial by Jury • E = Excessive Bail • P = People’s Rights • S = States Rights
“R.A.S.P.P.” • “R.A.S.P.P” is a good acronym to remember the major elements of the First Amendment. • This amendment protects the 5 basic freedoms that are essential to the American way of life.
1. “R” = Religion • Freedom of Religion prohibits Congress from establishing any official or “state” religion in the U.S. • It also guarantees Americans the right to worship or practice any religion they choose (or to not worship at all).
2. “A” = Assembly • Freedom of Assembly protects our right to assembly in groups for any reason as long as these assemblies are peaceful in nature. • This also allows us to join whatever groups we choose to join…
3. “S” = Speech • Freedom of Speech protects our right to say what is on your mind, in public or private, without fear of punishment by the government. • Face to face discussions, telephone conversations, TV, lectures, and even “unspoken expressions” are all protected.
3. “S” = Speech • Freedom of Speech also does NOT protect our citizens from committing “slander” (spoken lies) or “libel” (written lies) towards another citizen. • It also does NOT allow for harmful speech towards others or that threatens our government
4. “P” = Press • Freedom of the press protects our rights to publish information freely and allows us to read what others have published (without “censorship”). • This freedom is also limited (as speech)
5. “P” = Petition • Freedom of petition guarantees all Americans the right to petition (a formal request) the government. • This allows us to express our views to the government.