First Amendment
Definition
The First Amendment protects five basic freedoms - freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition against government interference.
Analogy
The First Amendment is like your personal shield in a video game; it protects you from attacks on your basic rights and freedoms.
Related terms
Freedom of Speech: The right to express any opinions without censorship or restraint.
Establishment Clause: Part of the First Amendment stating that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.'
Right to Petition: The constitutional right of people to appeal to government in favor of or against policies that affect them directly.
"First Amendment" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (4)
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (20+)
- What does the First Amendment protect?
- What is the case that established that students do not lose their First Amendment rights in school?
- Which type of speech is protected under the First Amendment?
- Which form of expression is protected by the First Amendment?
- Which form of speech is usually given less protection under the First Amendment due to its potential to decieve consumers?
- The framers of the Constitution included the freedom of the press in the First Amendment primarily to:
- The First Amendment protects the right of journalists to gather and report information without interference from the government. This right is known as:
- How does the First Amendment protect journalists?
- How is the First Amendment relevant to Citizen United v Federal Election Commission case in 2010?
- How did the Supreme Court case of Schenck v. United States impact interpretations of the First Amendment?
- How does the First Amendment's freedom-of-speech clause affect current social media guidelines?
- How did the historical context of post-revolutionary America shape the development of the First Amendment?
- Why has the First Amendment's protection of freedom of speech remained a fundamental aspect of American democracy?
- Which trend in Supreme Court interpretations of the First Amendment aligns most closely with Thomas Jefferson's "wall of separation" letter to the Danbury Baptists?
- How might future politicians interpret the First Amendment's Freedom of Speech clause in light of emerging digital platforms?
- Which Supreme Court decision affirmed that burning the American flag is an act protected under the First Amendment?
- Which clause in the First amendment prohibits government from favoring one religion over another?
- In which case did Supreme court decide in favor of student's freedom of speech rights at school under first amendment?
- What part of the First Amendment grants the right to peacefully assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances?
- Which institution is primarily responsible for interpreting the First Amendment?
Resources
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