Rights, Responsibilities and Duties of American Citizens



TEACHER NOTES-Rights, Responsibilities and Duties of American Citizens

Chapter 5 Section 1 and 2 of Civics (classroom text)

• Rights: See Constitution and Bill of Rights

Security—protection from government

Equality—equal treatment under the law

Liberty—rights guaranteed under the Constitution

• Responsibilities: Things citizens should do (voluntarily)

• Duties: Things citizens are required to do

Focus of Chart: Important civic rights, responsibilities, and duties that American Citizens need to follow in order for a democracy to work.

|Rights |Duties |Responsibilities |

| Bill of Rights 1-10 |Obey laws— |Be Informed— |

|Amend. 1:Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press,|For safety; |know what government is doing |

|Assembly, Petition |order/organization |gov’t purpose is to protect and serve |

| |to help make the right decisions |to voice opinion |

|Amend. 2: Right to Bear Arms |to protect the health, safety, and property of citizens |to help make decisions |

| |For example: driving laws to help maintain order and to keep us safe; criminal laws, |to choose leaders |

|Amend. 3:No Quartering Troops |local laws. Criminal laws—prevent citizens from harming one another; local laws to |to know your rights |

| |help people get along |exercise rights |

|Amend. 4: Search & Seizure | |not abuse rights |

| |Pay Taxes- |to preserve for future |

|Amend. 5:Rights of Accused |pay for government services/activities |stay educated in your vote |

| |Paid to federal, state and local governments |Example: town council makes laws that you need to follow…if you do not agree…you can |

|Amend. 6: Right to Speedy, Fair Trial |to help improve society (roads, pay for police and some firefighters) |voice your opinion…gov’t will act in the interest of all its people |

| |Example: if Federal government did not collect taxes we would not have government |Vote- |

|Amend. 7:Civil Suits |employees to maintain army and navy; collect taxes for public schools, paved roads, |to exercise right of self-government |

| |and other services |to choose who runs the government |

|Amend. 8: Bail & Punishment | |to change the government if government isn’t doing what the people want |

| | |to have a say & to have indirect power |

|Amend. 9:Other People Rights | |Vote is democracy; vote is a voice |

| | |Example: We vote to elect our representatives who are there to work for our best |

|Amend. 10: State Rights | |interest. If we feel they are not doing the job, we can vote someone new…in a peaceful |

| | |and orderly manner |

| | | |

| |Defend the Nation- | |

| |Men aged 18 and over are required to register with the government in case the country |Participate in Government |

| |needs to enforce the DRAFT. |in community/government |

| |Draft-to call up, men for military service. |Volunteers like firefighters and rescue squad, or the government like Mayor or town |

| |Draft has not been used since Vietnam War. |council |

| |Government has the authority to use the draft if needed. |Example: If no one volunteered/participated the community may not have a rescue squad. |

| |Currently we have a volunteer military to protect us. |Think about the soccer and baseball coaches/programs—need community members to be |

| |Reason—protect the nation |involved/participate or the town/community will not have one |

| | | |

| |Serve in Court- |Respect Rights of Others- |

| |Right to a trial by jury of peers (Amendment 5 & 7). |Laws put in place to encourage people to respect each other |

| |In order for this right-have to serve jury duty. |show respect for public property and property of others |

| |duty to also serve as a witness at a trial, if called to do so |Example: in your neighborhood you are expected to respect each other—noise level and |

| |Amendments 5-8 are to protect the rights of the accused (due process of law) |property…you would want others to respect your rights |

| |Duty of the citizens to serve in order for us to have these rights | |

| | |Respect Diversity- |

| |Attend School- |Respect and accept others regardless of beliefs, practices, or other difference |

| |Most States-- people are required to attend school until age 16 |TOLERANCE. |

| |important right for you and the government |Diversity --America’s greatest strength |

| |education teaches knowledge and skills to be a good citizen |Immigrants bring different religions, traditions, and lifestyles to the country |

| |Educated voice and votes |All citizens are equal and entitled to be treated the same |

| |For example the government needs its citizens to be able to examine all sides of an |For example: We have Freedom of Religion and need to respect that there are different |

| |issue, separate facts from beliefs, and draw own conclusions—to help you have an |religions; everyone should have a say no matter what they believe |

| |informed, well-reasoned opinion | |

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