Lesson 3 WebQuest

Amendment 1 - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This amendment means anyone has the right to have any religion and freedom of speech. I like this amendment because it gives us freedom to celebrate any religion.

Amendment 2 - 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.

This means people have the right to own guns.

Amendment 3 - No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

This means no soldier can go into a house and eat, sleep, or live there without the owner’s permission.

Amendment 4 - The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The government has no right to go into a person’s personal business and they have the right to say no when the government tries to invade their privacy.

Amendment 5 - No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

This amendment protects you from being held for committing a crime unless you have been indicted correctly by the police.

Amendment 6 - In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.

This amendment guarantees a citizen a speedy trial, a fair jury, an attorney if the accused person wants one, and the chance to confront the witnesses who is accusing the defendant of a crime, meaning he or she can see who is making accusations.

Amendment 7 - In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of common law.

This amendment guarantees a jury trial for civil cases in the federal courts.

Amendment 8 - Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

This means that punishments must be fair, cannot be cruel, and that fines that are extraordinarily large cannot be set.

Amendment 9 - The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

This amendment means that there are other rights that may exist aside from the ones explicitly mentioned, and even though they are not listed, it does not mean they can be violated.

Amendment 10 - The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

This amendment means that any power that is not given to the federal government is given to the people or the states.

I think there should be a Bill of rights because then the government would have too much power.