1. Amending the Constitution
Essential Question:
How can the Constitution be amended to meet changing needs?

2. Amending the Constitution
The Constitution originally said nothing about the rights of the American people.
This omission was fixed the addition of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
Such an addition was possible because of Article 5, which laid out the method of amending the Constitution.
The 27 Amendments were all proposed by a vote in Congress.

3. Amending the Constitution
There are two ways of proposing and amendment.
1: Proposed by Congress by two-thirds vote of each house or
2: Proposed by National Convention called by Congress at request of two thirds of state legislatures.
If the Amendment is proposed by Congress it must be ratified by the Legislatures in three fourths of the states.
If the Amendment is proposed by a National Convention it must be ratified by the Conventions in three fourths of the states.

4. Amending the Constitution
Where are the rules about amending the Constitution defined?
Article 5 of the Constitution.

5. Amending the Constitution
Which way has been used to propose the Constitution’s 27 amendments?
Vote in Congress.

6. The Bill of Rights The First 10 Amendments to the Constitution

7. 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)

9. 2nd Amendment
The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, which means the right to own a gun.

10. 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.

11. 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).

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 8th Amendment
The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set.

18. 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.

19. 10th Amendment
The 10th Amendment states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states or to the people.

20. Amending the Constitution
What rights do the Fifth through Eighth amendments guarantee?
All Americans receive equal treatment before the law.

21. State and Local Government
The Constitution divides power between the federal government and state governments. The states concern themselves with local needs.
The State governments are like the federal government.
Each state has its own constitution that can be amended.
States have the same three branches of government as the federal government.
There are some differences between federal and state governments.
Nebraska, is the only state in the Union with a one-house legislature.

22. State and Local Governments
Powers of the National
Government
Powers Reserved to
The States
-Regulate interstate
And foreign trade
-Set standard weights
And measures
-Create and maintain
Armed forces
-Make copyright and
Patent laws
-Establish post offices
-Establish foreign policy
-Create federal courts
-Coin money
-Declare war
-Admit new states
-Create corporation
Law
-Regulate trade within
State
-Maintain schools
-Establish local
Governments
-Make laws about marriage
And divorce
-Conduct elections
-Provide for public safety
Shared Powers
-Provide for
Public welfare
-administer
Criminal justice
-Charter banks
-Raise taxes
-Borrow money

23. State and Local Governments
State Government
Powers of State
Government:
-create corporate law
-regulate trade within
State
-maintain schools
-establish local
Government
-make laws about
Marriage and divorce
Conduct elections
-provide for public
safety
Each state has it own
Constitution
State government made
Up of:
-Executive (headed by
Governor)
-Legislature
-Judiciary

24. State and Local Governments
Includes county, city and town.
Most of local budges are spent on education.
Local governments hire teachers, firefighters, police officers, and garbage collectors.
Local governments maintain roads and hospitals and provide public services.

25. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
-A citizen is entitled to all rights and privileges of a particular nation.
-To be a citizen of the United States, a person must be one of the following:
1. Born in the United States.
2. Have a parent who is a citizen.
Be 18 or younger when parents are naturalized.
Naturalization is the official legal process of becoming a citizen. Steps in process include:
Live in the United States for five years.
Apply for citizenship.
Take citizenship exam.
Undergo interviews.
Take a citizenship oath.

26. State and Local Governments
Citizenship (cont)
Some responsibilities of citizens are required by law.
Other responsibilities are not required by law. These include serving the community, staying well informed, voting in elections and helping to create a just society.

27. State and Local Government
How are state governments similar to the federal government?
Both have constitutions that can be amended; both are divided into three branches.

28. State and Local Government
What is the top priority of most local governments?
Education.

29. Amending the Constitution
Essential Question:
How can the Constitution be amended to meet changing needs?
Two ways: 1. Both houses of Congress vote for an amendment; 2. State legislatures call for a national convention.