1st Amendment Research Paper

Words: 1289
Pages: 6
Open Document
My topic for this paper is going to be about the First Amendment. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution stands as a cornerstone of American democracy, embodying fundamental principles of freedom of expression, religion, assembly, and the right to petition the government. A good way to describe it is, “preventing the government from making laws that regulate an establishment of religion; prohibiting the free exercise of religion; abridge the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the freedom of assembly, or the right to petition the government for redress of grievances” (Wikipedia 1st Amendment). What I would like to focus on from the First Amendment is the freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is very important in the United …show more content…
It was rewritten in the English Bill of Rights in 1689 which legally established the constitutional right of freedom of speech in Parliament. This meant that Parliamentarians were free to speak up in the House without fear of legal action. The American Revolution against Britain is when a big discussion came to be about individual rights and the role of governments. This all started with a long debate over what laws from the 1st Amendment would be placed into the Bill of Rights. “After several years of comparatively weak government under the Articles of Confederation, a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia proposed a new constitution on September 17, 1787” (Wikipedia 1st Amendment). Many Framers, including James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, argued that the Constitution itself provided adequate protection for individual liberties; they believed that “the government can only exert the powers specified by the Constitution” (National Archives). Anti federalists such as Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Samuel Adams insisted that without safeguards the government could abuse their power, they believed that the bill of rights was …show more content…
Texas v. Johnson reaffirmed the broad scope of protected expression under the First Amendment, even in cases where the speech is deeply offensive or controversial. The ruling clarified that the government cannot suppress speech based on its content or viewpoint, and that individuals have the right to engage in symbolic acts of protest, even if they offend widely held sensibilities. Currently around the world there are still issues with freedom of speech. Florida lawmakers are trying to advance bills that will prevent schools from talking about sexual orientation or gender identity. Which I believe is unfair because if students are struggling with this type of topic, a teacher at their school might be the only person in their life that they are comfortable with. Another issue going on is that nearly a dozen states have introduced bills that would direct students to what they can and cannot learn about the role of slavery in America and the ongoing effects that racism has
Show More

Related Documents: 1st Amendment Research Paper

Why Is Compulsory Voting Unconstitutional

In the united states the right for all citizens to vote came to us in the 15th amendment. In some countries as such as most of africa like in argentina they enforce compulsory voting. In the united states it would be unconstitutional to force us to vote, but if we did do compulsory voting we can turn in a blank ballot. With the compulsory voting we would have more people voting, but there would be more random votes. Compulsory voting would be unconstitutional and would hurt our elections. We need…

Words 550 - Pages 3

Gun Control Essay

Jeremy Rodas Gun Control 1st Constituent Element Professor Gill-Mayberry ENG 105 10am-11:50 am “The best writing is re-writing”: 2rd Draft, 2 Tutorials, and 0 Teacher Conferences (Provocative Title) Gun Control, A Pro-Life Issue (Hook) While many families suffer from the 12 deaths and many injuries at the Aurora, Colorado Theater shooting, Gayle Trotter, Co-Founder of Shafer & Trotter PLC law firm, wrote that “In lieu of empty gestures, we should address gun violence based…

Words 966 - Pages 4

Drug Enforcement Administration Essay examples

What I Know About the Drug Enforcement Administration The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) works to lessen and eliminate the use, transportation, and sale of drugs in the United States. They are the only government organized organization with the purpose of controlling drug traffic. The Drug Enforcement Administration seems to be most known for their role in stopping drug transportation across borders by use of DEA officers, police-trained dogs, and other tools. To my knowledge the DEA may…

Words 1015 - Pages 5

2014 15 Tm4001 Handbook Essays

important issues occur within the field of marketing or should we confirm guest speakers, then we may alter the subject list/order of delivery. It is important that you regularly check the module area on the Portal for any amendments/notifications! We will endeavour to make amendments and inform you of them as soon as possible. NOTE : The Reading is a suggested example of a relevant chapter/text. Relevant chapters in any of the texts on the reading list, which relate to the topic area, would also be…

Words 1913 - Pages 8

Citation and Body Paragraph Essay

Period _____________________________ EXPECTATIONS DUE DATE __________________ THIS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE THIS IS A DISTRICT TEST ALL WRITING WILL BE DONE IN CLASS ALL RESEACH MUST BE DONE BEFORE YOU WRITE YOUR PAPER YOU CAN ONLY USE YOUR RESEARCH LOG (notes) TO WRITE YOUR PAPER CONTENT Objective: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6-8.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary…

Words 5084 - Pages 21

Constitutional Rights Essay

Constitutional Rights Project By: Cory Nguyen Constitutional Rights Project By: Cory Nguyen Table of Contents 1. 1st – Freedom of Religion 2. 1st – Freedom of Speech 3. 1st- Freedom of Press 4. 1st- Freedom of Assembly 5. 1st- Freedom of Petition 6. 2nd Right to Keep and Bear Arms 7. 4th Freedom from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures 8. 4th Search Warrant Based on Probable Cause 9. 5th Grand Jury Indictment in capital cases 10. 5th Double Jeopardy…

Words 9322 - Pages 38

Legal studies Essay

existing law. 1ST READING: Title of the bills read out and copies of the bill are given to members (summary of bill is given) Minister decides whether to move on the 2nd house or adjourn it to later date 2ND READING: The purpose of bill is discussed Bill is debated and shadow minister presents the oppositions response Further debates occur and once done, motion will be put, if carried, bill moves to next stage CONSIDERATION IN DETAIL: Bill is debated clause by clause Amendments can be moved…

Words 889 - Pages 4

Internet Censorship Essay

Though the laws that Congress are proposing to regulate the Internet are well intentioned, I strongly believe that the Internet should not be censored because any law encroaching on the people’s right to free speech is a obvious breach of First Amendment rights and because laws limiting Internet speech are too broad and unenforceable on this global medium. To understand why legislators are attempting to censor the Internet despite the fact that it is absurd and Unconstitutional, one must first…

Words 3482 - Pages 14

Essay on Lecture 3 Leases 2015 Student Version 2

basis is more representative of the time pattern of the user’s benefit. Operating leases - Example • A Plc enters into a 5 year operating lease on 1st April 2014 to occupy a factory. • Under the terms of the lease, £120,000 is payable on the commencement of the lease on 1st April 2014. • £120,000 is then payable each year for 4 years commencing 1st April 2015. • Show the ledger account for rental payments and Income Statement & Balance Sheet extracts for the years ended 31st December 2014 and 2015…

Words 2385 - Pages 10

Legal and Ethical Implications for Classroom Management Essay

and Gibbs, 2012). Schools and teachers have an obligation to provide students with disabilities a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004). This paper looks at the findings in several court cases to establish what is required of teachers in situations where students with disabilities are…

Words 1538 - Pages 7