CONTENT STATEMENT
- The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of limited government and protects citizens’ rights; five of these rights are addressed in the First Amendment.
CONTENT ELABORATION
Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to calls for a new framework for government. The U.S. Constitution was created and provided a government with limited powers and protections for the rights of citizens. It established the right of citizens to choose representatives and decide issues through the process of voting.
The First Amendment guarantees five rights:
freedom of speech;
freedom of religion;
freedom of press;
freedom of petition; and
freedom of assembly.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
Describe how the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of citizens through the First Amendment.