Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Written Documents
Written Documents include
The Constitution
The Supreme Law of the United States 27 Amendments
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments all about you
Declaration of Independence
[Before the Revolutionary War] America declares freedom from Great Britain.
State Constitutions
Decisions of the courts interpret the meaning of the laws passed by the government
Security Rights
Protect us from the Government
Some of our rights are based on denying certain powers to our government Article One denies and gives certain powers to Congress/Legislative The Bill of Rights contains many limitations to governments power
Prevents National Government from being to powerful.
Liberty Rights
Protect our freedoms
First Amendment Rights example of protecting our basic feedoms
Five Freedoms
Freedom of Speech
Certain rights given to accused persons protects your personal liberty unless proven guilty in court.
Equality Rights
Requires that all persons are treated the same
The 14th Amendment is the primary example rights as it requires all persons to be given Due Process and equal protection Due Process
Must have read rights [Innocent until proven guilty] Free to live as innocent until trial Prosecution must prove youre guilty
Voting Rights
15th Amendment
Black [Minority] Males could vote
Early on there was a poll tax that affected at first later laws abolished poll taxes Literacy Test you had to know how to read & write to vote only went for minority males
19th Amendment
All women can vote
Women couldnt begin voting until 1919-1920
Discrimination
Unfair actions toward a group of people
Violent Protests:
Malcolm X
Rights Debated
Affirmative Action
Government project that gives special preference to women and minorities in government jobs and contracts
Glass Ceiling
Term used to describe the limitations many woman and minorities face in job advancement
Reverse Racism
Idea that special efforts made to make up for past racism are in fact discriminating against others.
Some people have begun to debate the effectiveness of affirmative action and the goal of equal treatment of all citizens