Government
Use the materials on this page to learn more about the information learned in class!
Rights and Responsibilities
What are Rights and Responsibilities? Watch this video to find out!
Rights and Responsibilites
What Are Rights?
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Rights are the freedoms we have that are protected by our laws. In the United States, the Bill of Rights, or the first ten amendments to the U.S Constitution, guarantees us freedom of speech and freedom of religion, among other rights.
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Examples of our Rights:
To go to school
Practicing Religion
Free Speech
Voting
Fair Trial
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What Are Responsibilities?
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Responsibilities are duties or things that we should do. This means you are choosing to do something because it helps others or fixes a problem in the community.
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Examples of Responsibilities:
Obeying the law
Paying taxes
Jury Duty
Volunteering
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Due Process
Watch this video to learn more about due process!
Due Process
Due Process: The defendant ( the person on trial) has rights and must be treated fairly throughout the judicial process. The right to due process of law is outlined in the 5th and 14th Amendments to the United States Constitution
•Think Of DUE as – Something that is owed to the people.
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•Think of Process as – Earning your Liberty back
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For more information on Due Process click on the link below:
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The Amendment Process
The Amendment Process
An amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution.
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How Amendments Are Made
It takes two steps to add an amendment to the Constitution:
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The first way is through Congress. Two-thirds of Congress (made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate) can propose, or ask for, an amendment.
The second way is through the states. Two-thirds of the state legislatures can call for an official meeting to propose an amendment.
When the meeting is called, the amendment is then presented.
Once an amendment receives the required number of votes in Congress or from the states, it must then be ratified (approved) by three-fourths of all state legislatures or three-fourths of special state conventions. That means that 38 states would have to accept the amendment once it is proposed in order for it to be added to the Constitution.
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Voting Amendments
Voting Rights Amendments
15th Amendment - Gave African-Americans and ex-slaves the right to vote. Orders that no one should be unable to vote because of their race, skin color, or having been a slave in the past.
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19th Amendment - Gives women the right to vote.
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23rd Amendment - Residents of the District of Columbia (Washington D.C) can vote for president.
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24th Amendment - You can not charge people money to vote. (No Poll Tax)
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26th Amendment - Citizens may vote at the age of 18.
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