The Amendments to the
Constitution
1
Bill of Rights
• Amendments 1-10
The First Amendment
• Congress shall make no
law respecting an
establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of
speech,or of the press, or
the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the
Government for a redress
of grievances.
1st
Amendment
Freedom of Religion
• Americans are free to
worship—or not to
worship. No government
official can tell a person if,
how, when, where or why
they pray. Students cannot
be forced to participate in
religious activities,
however they may lead or
participate in religious
acitivies.
1st
Amendment
Freedom of Speech
• The First Amendment
guarantees that all
people will be free to
express their opinions,
no matter how
unpopular those
opinions may be.
1st
Amendment
Freedom of the Press
• The First Amendment
ensures that a free and
responsible press will
be able to keep the
public informed.
Examples:
Newspapers, TV,
Radio, Magazines
1st
Amendment
Freedom of Assembly
• The First Amendment
ensures that citizens
will have the right to
assemble peaceably,
even when they are
protesting.
1st
Amendment
Freedom to Petition
• The First Amendment
gives citizens the right
to petition, expressing
complaints or support,
whether at the ballot
box or through elected
representatives.
You teach.
 Upon
my call:
 Turn
to your neighbor and tell them the 5 basic
rights the first amendment gives citizens.
 Then
 You
switch and do the same.
may use your notes.
Amendment 2
• Right to bear arms
• protects the right
to own guns
Amendment 3
• Quartering of
Troops
• guarantees that the
army cannot force
homeowners to give
them room and
board.
Amendment 4
• Search and Seizure
• protects the people
from the government
improperly taking
property, papers, or
people, without a
valid warrant based
on probable cause
(good reason).
Amendment 5
• Due Process
• 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
Amendment 6
• Criminal Proceedings
• guarantees a speedy trial
an impartial jury
• that the accused can
confront witnesses against
them
• the accused must be allowed
to have a lawyer
Amendment 7
• Civil Trials
• Guarantees the right to
a civil trial in any case
that exceeds $20, and
jury if requested
Amendment 8
• Excessive punishment
• Limits excessive bail
• guarantees that
punishments will be
fair, and not cruel, and
that extraordinarily
large fines will not be
set.
Amendment 9
• People's rights are not
limited to the rights
listed in the
Constitution.
Examples: Marry
anyone you want, live
in any state you want
Amendment 10
• states that any power
not granted to the
federal government
belongs to the states
or to the people
You teach.
Turn to your same partner from before and:
Tell which amendments deal with
-gun rights
-a citizen’s right to have a lawyer
Other Amendments
Amendment 13 (1865)


Ended Slavery in the
United States
People cannot be
forced to work against
their will unless they
have been tried for and
convicted of a crime
for which this means of
punishment is ordered.
Amendment 14 (1868)
 All
citizens must be protected equally by law.
 All persons born or naturalized in the United
States are citizens of the United States and of
the state in which they live.
 Guarantees due process of law
 According to due process of law, no
state may take away the rights
of a citizen.
Amendment 15 (1870)
 The
right of citizens to vote cannot be
based on race, color, or previous
condition of servitude.
 This guarantees all people, regardless
of their race or color of their skin, the
right to vote.
Amendment 16 ( 1913)
 Allowed
the federal government to tax
people’s incomes.
 Congress has the power to collect taxes
on its citizens, based on their personal
incomes rather than on the number of
people living in a state.
Amendment 18 (1919)
 Outlawed
the sale of
alcohol
 An era of gangsters
 The 21st
Amendment allowed
the sale of alcohol
again.
25
Watch Prohibition Video
26
Amendment 19 (1920)


Granted
women the
right to vote.
Susan B.
Anthony led
the fight for
women’s
rights.
Watch School House Rock Video
28
Which amendment ended slavery?
 Amendment
13
 Amendment 14
 Amendment 15
Which amendment ended slavery?
 Amendment
 Amendment 14
 Amendment 15
13
Which amendment guarantees all people
regardless of their race the right to vote?
 Amendment
14
 Amendment 15
 Amendment 19
Which amendment guarantees all people regardless of their
race the right to vote?
 Amendment
14
 Amendment
 Amendment
19
15
Which amendment allowed the
government to tax people’s income?
 Amendment
14
 Amendment 16
 Amendment 19
Which amendment allowed the
government to tax people’s income?
 Amendment
14
 Amendment
 Amendment
16
19
Name the amendment that protects the
rights of all citizens.
 Amendment
14
 Amendment 15
 Amendment 19
Name the amendment that protects the
rights of all citizens.
 Amendment
 Amendment
15
 Amendment 19
14
What amendment granted women the
right to vote?
 Amendment
13
 Amendment 16
 Amendment 19
What amendment granted women the
right to vote?
 Amendment
13
 Amendment 16
 Amendment
19
Writing Activity
 Choose
the amendment that you
believe is the most important. Write
a paragraph stating why you chose
this amendment. Give details that
will support your choice. You
should have at least 5 sentences.