Civil Rights and Liberties

In your opinion, what makes the United States unique?

Civil Rights and Liberties

As Americans, we have believed that freedom has been at the core of our country.

At the core of our freedom is the belief that government should be limited.

Civil Rights and Liberties

Most democratic nations have laws that protect their civil liberties like the United states.

Personal freedoms that are protected for all individuals. Typically involving restraint of the government’s actions

Left room for courts to decide

Civil Rights and Liberties

Originally, the Bill of Rights was only intended to limit the national government.

States had their own Bill of Rights

1833 Barron v. Baltimore

Civil Rights and LibertiesUntil….. The 14th Amendment

However, not until 1925 did the Supreme Court view that protections under the Bill of Rights are all incorporated in to the 14th Amendment

Incorporation Theory

Supreme Court Decisions and the Bill of RightsIn groups of 2-3, we are going to look at when the Bill of Rights was incorporated in to the 14th Amendment.

Each group is assigned a “Freedom”. You are responsible for researching and understanding;

-What the freedom entails-Which amendment is involved in the freedom-A minimum of 4 court cases that involved the freedom and a detailed understanding of the court cases.-Earliest years of court cases

When finished, we will be able to understand when the freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights was recognized under the 14th Amendment.

Supreme Court Decisions and the Bill of RightsDiscussion Questions:

What is the historical basis for civil liberties? Are people as concerned today as the founders were?

Supreme Court Decisions and the Bill of RightsDiscussion Questions:

Do you think libel laws restrict a free press? Should the press be allowed to publish anything it wants about anyone?

Supreme Court Decisions and the Bill of RightsDiscussion Questions:

Why are the rights of the accused so important? What about in times of national security?

Supreme Court Decisions and the Bill of RightsDiscussion Questions:

Is the death penalty ever justified? Why does the court not consider this “cruel and unusual punishment”?