GED Social Studies Rights and Responsibilities Summary

The first ten amendments, added in 1791, are called the Bill of Rights. They protect basic freedoms, such as speech and religion, and the rights of people accused of crimes.

Wrong choices

• The Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence (1776) announced the break from Britain. It is not part of the Constitution.
• The Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation was the first plan of government, before the Constitution.
• The Federalist Papers: The Federalist Papers were essays urging people to support the Constitution.

The First Amendment protects five freedoms: religion, speech, the press, peaceful assembly, and petitioning the government. It is one of the most tested parts of the Bill of Rights.

Wrong choices

• The Fifth Amendment: The Fifth Amendment protects people accused of crimes, such as the right not to testify against themselves.
• The Tenth Amendment: The Tenth Amendment reserves powers to the states or the people.
• The Second Amendment: The Second Amendment is about the right to keep and bear arms.

The Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. Usually police need a warrant, approved by a judge and based on probable cause, to search a home.

Wrong choices

• The Eighth Amendment: The Eighth Amendment bans cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail.
• The Fifth Amendment: The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, and guarantees due process.
• The First Amendment: The First Amendment protects speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

The Fifth Amendment says no person can be forced to be a witness against himself or herself in a criminal case. This is often called "pleading the Fifth." The Fifth Amendment also protects against double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime) and guarantees due process.

Wrong choices

• The Eighth Amendment: The Eighth Amendment is about bail and punishment.
• The Sixth Amendment: The Sixth Amendment covers the right to a speedy, public trial and a lawyer.
• The Fourth Amendment: The Fourth Amendment is about searches and seizures, not testifying.

The Sixth Amendment protects people accused of crimes. It promises a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the right to know the charges, the right to face witnesses, and the help of a lawyer.

Wrong choices

• The Seventh Amendment: The Seventh Amendment protects jury trials in certain civil (non-criminal) cases.
• The Fourth Amendment: The Fourth Amendment is about searches and seizures.
• The Fifth Amendment: The Fifth Amendment covers self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and due process.

The Eighth Amendment bans excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. Through the Fourteenth Amendment, it also limits state governments.

Wrong choices

• The Fourth Amendment: The Fourth Amendment covers searches and seizures.
• The Second Amendment: The Second Amendment covers the right to keep and bear arms.
• The Sixth Amendment: The Sixth Amendment covers trial rights, not bail amounts or punishments.

The First Amendment has two religion clauses. The establishment clause stops the government from setting up an official religion. The free exercise clause protects people's right to practice their faith. Naming an official national church would clearly violate the establishment clause.

Wrong choices

• A history class that teaches about the major world religions: Teaching about religions as part of history does not set up an official religion or stop anyone from practicing.
• A city that lets all community groups, including religious ones, rent a public park: Treating religious groups the same as other groups does not favor or punish any religion.
• A building-safety rule that applies to all large buildings, including churches: A safety rule that applies to every building equally does not target religion.

Free speech is one of the strongest protections in the Constitution, and it covers unpopular and critical views. But courts have recognized limits, such as true threats, speech meant to cause immediate violence, and fraud.

Wrong choices

• It protects only speech that the government agrees with: Free speech matters most for unpopular views. Protecting only speech the government likes would not be freedom of speech.
• It protects only spoken words, not writing or symbols: Courts have ruled that writing and symbolic acts, such as wearing armbands in protest, can be protected speech.
• It protects any kind of speech in every situation: Courts have said some speech, such as true threats, is not protected.

The Second Amendment protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Like other rights, it is not unlimited, and courts have decided cases about which gun laws are allowed.

Wrong choices

• The right to a jury trial: Jury trials are protected in the Sixth and Seventh Amendments.
• Freedom of speech: Freedom of speech is in the First Amendment.
• The right not to have soldiers housed in your home: Protection from housing soldiers is the Third Amendment.

Some duties apply to everyone living in the United States, such as obeying laws and paying taxes. Others are only for citizens, such as serving on a federal jury and voting in federal elections.

Wrong choices

• Obeying the law: Everyone in the United States must obey the law.
• Paying taxes: Paying taxes is a duty for everyone who earns income in the U.S., including non-citizens.
• Respecting the rights of others: Respecting others' rights is expected of everyone, not only citizens.