Today’s Civics Lesson

1. 1. The U. S. Constitution

2. 2. Oaths of Office

3. 3. The Declaration of Independence

1 The U. S. Constitution

1st Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd Amendment

Right to Bear Arms

4th Amendment

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.

5th Amendment

No person shall…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;

8th Amendment

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

14th Amendment

No State shall…deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

2 Oaths of Office

Presidential Oath of office

Article II, Section One, Clause 8

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Article VI, Clause 3 provides that "all ... Officers ... of the United States ... shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation”

Current oath for all other government officials except the President (includes the Vice President, Congress, cabinet members, etc.)

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

3 Declaration of Independence

In Congress, July 4, 1776

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us…