The Bill of Rights



The Bill of Rights

Part A.

Complete the following outline of the Bill of Rights. Then define the terms listed at the end of the outline. Use your textbook or other reference to help you.

I. The First Amendment protects these five basic rights:

A._________________________

B._________________________

C._________________________

D._________________________

E._________________________

II. The Second Amendment protects one's right to ______________________________________________________.

III. The Third Amendment gives freedom from the need to ______________________________________________________.

IV. The Fourth Amendment offers protection from ______________________________________________________.

V. The Fifth Amendment contains these five basic provisions:

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

VI. The Sixth Amendment protects these four basic rights of the accused:

A.

B.

C.

D.

VII. The Seventh Amendment protects one's right to ___________________________________________________________.

VIII. The Eight Amendment guarantees freedom from ___________________ and from ______________________________.

IX. The Ninth Amendment guarantees ___________________________________________________________.

X. The Tenth Amendment reserves ___________________________________________________________.

Define each of the following terms used in the Bill of Rights:

1. quartering of troops

2. due process of law

3. self-incrimination

4. double jeopardy

5. eminent domain

6. bail

7. grand jury

8. civil case

Part B.

each of these descriptions relates to a guarantee in the Bill of Rights. In the space beneath each one, write the specific right or freedom involved and the number of the amendment that protects that right or freedom.

1. The Johnson family refuses to house two Marines in their home when told by the company captain they must do so.

2. The Smithville telegraph prints various editorial viewpoints on current issues.

3. The school day at Valley City High School cannot begin the day with prayers in the classroom.

4. Detective Brown lists statistics that show the sale of handguns is blamed for many deaths.

5. The Grant's house is being purchased by the county for a new highway. Mr. Smith is suing the county for more money.

6. Students from Central High School wish to meet in the city square to protest curfew laws.

7. Roscoe has been found not guilty of murder. The prosecutor is disappointed because he cannot appeal Roscoe's verdict.

8. Jeff made a presentation to the American Civil Liberties Union on the rights of juveniles.

9. Joseph is publicly whipped for stealing a loaf of bread from the local grocery store.

10. A large group of men and women write letters to their congressman urging him to support the Equal Rights Amendment.

11. Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones go to court to settle an argument over a tree that is on Mr. Smith's yard but hangs over Mr. Jones' new cement driveway.

12. Miss Green argued that police had no right to take belongings from her house even though the police had found illegal drugs there.

13. Edna's attorney argued that her trial should be held as soon as possible.

14. Jerry had to remain in jail until he was able to post a $500 bond.

15. Governor Fish wanted his state to consider new liquor laws since they are not under the federal government's domain.

16. Senator Russell argued that the federal government has no right to control marijuana sales since this right is not mentioned in the Constitution.

17. Alice demanded to confront, in court, the eyewitness who claimed to have seen her commit a burglary.

18. Frank is told by the police he may have his lawyer present when he is questioned about the jewelry store burglary.

19. Jill refuses to answer the prosecuting attorney's question in court because her answer may get her into legal difficulty.

20. Before George is arrested for stealing funds from Sommerville Industries, the evidence is reviewed by the local county grand jury. They decide there is sufficient evidence for an arrest.

Part C.

To conclude this lesson, consider the following statements and write your responses to the issues raised in the space provided:

A. In 1857, Abraham Lincoln made this comment concerning the Bill of Rights: "The framers meant it to be a stumbling block to all those who in after time might seek to turn and free people into the hateful paths of despotism."

B. The Bill of rights is a negative document. Its purpose has always been to protect the minority against the power of the majority.

1. What did Lincoln mean by a "stumbling block"?

2. What would be signs of a "turn...into the hateful paths of despotism"?

3. Who was it meant to protect originally, and why did they feel the need for protection?

4. What minorities need the protection of the Bill of Rights today?

5. Why should a government that operates on a majority principle zealously guard the rights of minorities?

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