Bill of Rights

Part I: For the following amendments from the Bill of Rights, write down the rights given in the first box.  In the second box, answer the questions “yes” or “no.” The First Amendment has been completed for you.

Amendment #

Rights Given:

Application:

#1

freedom of speech, press, religion, right to assembly & to petition the government

Students at RBHS have started wearing black armbands to protest the latest military action by the US government.  The principal has ordered them to cease and desist this action.  Can they do this? Yes -- freedom of symbolic speech

#2

 

The citizens of Oregon have voted to ban  any type of gun in their state.  Is this constitutional?

 

#3

 

The winter rains have closed Camp Pendleton.  The Commandant of the Marine Corps has ordered San Diego residents to house and feed the Marines.  Can he do this?

 

#4

 

Two policemen choose a house randomly to search on your block.  They find illegal narcotics on the premises.  Can they arrest the residents of the house for this?

 

#5

 

Ms. Mich is on trial for murder.  Based on the evidence, Ms. Mich is acquitted.  One week later, Ms. Sprong finds the murder weapon, a bloody machete with Mich’s fingerprints on it.  Can Mich be tried again for murder?

 

#8

 

Your sister has been arrested for shoplifting.  Her bail is set at ten million dollars.  Is this constitutional?

 

#10

 

The US government has mandated that the states must set the speed limit to 35 mph.  Do the states have any constitutional grounds to fight this new federal law?

 

 

Part II:  Using the amendments to the Constitution, answer the following questions:

 

  1. What was ended by the Thirteenth Amendment?

 

  1. Section Three of Amendment Fourteen prevents what group of people from serving in the federal government?

 

  1. What right does Amendment Fifteen give to former male slaves?

 

  1. What did Amendment Sixteen create?

 

  1. What does Amendment Seventeen provide for?

 

  1. The Eighteenth Amendment prohibited what?

 

  1. What right did Amendment Nineteen provide?

 

  1. What is unusual about Amendment Twenty-One?

 

  1. What person inspired Amendment Twenty-Two?  Why?

 

  1. What did Amendment Twenty-Four prohibit?

 

  1. Who received the right to vote in Amendment Twenty-Six?

 

  1. What is the topic of Amendment Twenty-Five?

 

  1. What is the topic of Amendment Twenty-Seven?

 

  1. In what year was Amendment Twenty-Seven ratified?

 

Part III: Extra Credit!  This section is optional, but if completed correctly, will add bonus points to the assignment. Match the amendments to the classifications below; receive one point of extra credit for each answered correctly.

 

I.                    those amendments that add power to the national government

II.                  those amendments that deny power to the national government

III.                those amendments that limit the power of state governments

IV.               those amendments that expand the electorate (the electorate is the group of Americans who vote)

V.                 those amendments that reduce the power of the electorate

VI.               those amendments that make changes in the machinery of the government

VII.             those amendments that protect the rights of the individuals

 

_______1.  Amendments 15, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26

_______2.  Amendments 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 21

_______3.  Amendment 22

_______4.  Amendments 16, 18

_______5.  Amendments12, 20, 25

_______6.  Amendments 1, 2, 6, 7, 9

_______7.  Amendments 13, 14