The American NationThe American Nation

Chapter 8 – Section 3Changing the Constitution

Government, Citizenship, and the Constitution,

1787–Present

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

Things to understand when taking notes…Things to understand when taking notes…

• Key Terms• How does the Amendment process occur for the

Constitution?• Importance of Article V?

• What rights do the Bill of Rights protect?• 1st 10 amendments

• Protecting Individual liberties?• Protecting Against Abuse of Power?• Protecting Rights of Accused?

• Later Important Amendments to Constitution?• Civil War Amendments?• 19th Amendment?• 26th Amendment?

Chapter 8, Section 3

Changing the ConstitutionChanging the Constitution

• How can the Constitution be amended?• What rights does the Bill of Rights

protect?• How did later amendments expand

democratic rights?

Chapter 8, Section 3

I. Amending the ConstitutionI. Amending the Constitution

Amending the ConstitutionAmending the Constitution

Bill of Rights ActivityBill of Rights Activity

Social Studies

• Divide into 10 Groups1. First Amendment2. Second Amendment3. Third Amendment4. Fourth Amendment5. Fifth Amendment6. Sixth Amendment7. Seventh Amendment8. Eighth Amendment9. Ninth Amendment10. Tenth Amendment

• Brainstorm on back of rubric.1. Write down what assigned Amendment

protects in your own words.2. Write down an example of how the

Amendment effects life in the U.S. today.3. Create a picture to support Amendment

and example.• Create a Poster with information.• Present Poster to the class.

Social Studies Honors• Divide into 10 Groups

1. First Amendment2. Second Amendment3. Third Amendment4. Fourth Amendment5. Fifth Amendment6. Sixth Amendment7. Seventh Amendment8. Eighth Amendment9. Ninth Amendment10. Tenth Amendment

• Brainstorm on back of rubric.1. Write down what assigned

Amendment protects in your own words.

2. Summarize a Court Case from folder of research.

• Full name of case• Background of case• Court decision and reasoning

3. Create a picture to support Amendment or court case.

• Create a visual with information.• Present Poster to the class.

Chapter 8, Section 3

II. The Bill of RightsII. The Bill of Rights

First Amendment Safeguards individual rights—freedom of religion, speech, the press, the right to assemble peacefully, the right to petition the government to change its policies.

Second Amendment

“A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Third Amendment Congress may not force citizens to put up troops in their homes.

Fourth Amendment Citizens are protected from unlawful searches of their homes and property.

Fifth Amendment People cannot be forced to incriminate, or give evidence against, themselves; Grand Jury for serious crimes; Double Jeopardy; Due Process of the Law.

Chapter 8, Section 3

II. The Bill of RightsII. The Bill of Rights

Sixth Amendment People are guaranteed the right to a speedy and public trial by a fair jury. The accused have a right to know the charges against them and who is making the charges; Right to an attorney

Seventh Amendment

Provides for juries in civil, or non criminal, trials. (value must exceed $20)

Eighth Amendment Forbids excessive bail or fines and “cruel and unusual punishments.”

Ninth Amendment Citizens’ rights are not limited to those listed in the Constitution. (privacy)

Tenth Amendment All powers not given to the national government or denied to the states are reserved for the states or for the people.

The Bill of RightsThe Bill of Rights

Constitutional AmendmentsConstitutional Amendments

Chapter 8, Section 3

Later Amendments Expanded RightsLater Amendments Expanded Rights

Thirteenth Amendment

Fourteenth Amendment

Fifteenth Amendment

Nineteenth Amendment

Twenty-sixth Amendment

Civ

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Am

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ts Abolished

slavery.

Guaranteed citizenship to former slaves; Equal Protection; Due Process of the law to the states.

Declared that states may not deny the vote to any citizen on the basis of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Gave women the right to vote.

Lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18.

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Chapter 8, Section 3

Section 3 AssessmentSection 3 Assessment

Basic individual liberties protected by the Constitution include the right toa) knowingly publish lies about someone.b) establish an official church in your state.c) assemble peacefully.d) make someone give evidence against themselves.

The Nineteenth Amendment expanded voting rights bya) giving women the right to vote.b) giving former slaves the right to vote.c) changing the way electoral college is chosen.d) lowering the voting age to 18.

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Chapter 8, Section 3

Section 3 AssessmentSection 3 Assessment

Basic individual liberties protected by the Constitution include the right toa) knowingly publish lies about someone.b) establish an official church in your state.c) assemble peacefully.d) make someone give evidence against themselves.

The Nineteenth Amendment expanded voting rights bya) giving women the right to vote.b) giving former slaves the right to vote.c) changing the way electoral college is chosen.d) lowering the voting age to 18.

Want to connect to the American Nation link for this section? Click here.