Civil Liberties Vs Civil Rights Essay

Civil Liberties vs Civil Rights Essay
Civil liberties are our natural rights, such as freedom, equality and pursuit of happiness, which the government cannot modify by making new laws or
by judicial interpretation. Civil liberties are important because it helps restrain the power of the government to dictate how we behave. This ensures
that our daily life is not interrupted by authoritative figures that may just try to intentionally cause harm. Civil liberties contribute to the protection of
our personal choices, such as the right to abortions. The bill of rights is important to civil liberties because it does not allow the government to govern
our personal lives. Unfortunately, with this war against terrorism, we have given those authoritative figures the ability to mandate...show more content...
Norma McCorvey, who was unable to care for her ready born child felt that abortion was the only solution for her unborn child. But with Texas law
only allowing abortions as a means of saving the life of a mother, she was denied the right to an abortion. That's when Texas lawyers, who were trying
desperately to bring a "lawsuit of change", felt that McCorvey's case was the one they needed. Unfortunately for Norma, Roe v. Wadewas not passed in
time for her to abort her baby. Her lawyers argued the woman's right to abortion was protected by the 9th amendment, being that the denying abortion
was a violation of the right to privacy. Abortion ties into privacy; the right to privacy ties into the 1st, 4th, 9th and 14th amendments.
The civil rights movement lays down the foundation of what most of us take for granted. In situations where racism, discrimination and sexual
orientation was the justification of why one would be denied employment, a seat on the bus, or the right to vote, this movement was created to benefit
all American people and has truly proven itself to be effective.
In the case of Brown v. Board of Education, minorities argued that America was denying them the right to equal education opportunities. Those who
opposed the idea of segregation felt that there was no such thing as separate but equal. They felt that this was an infringement on their 14th amendment
rights. The court later agreed that education was the foundation for the American
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Civil Liberties And Civil Rights
Zahid 5
Hafsa Zahid Professor Sharifian Government 2305 17 September 2017 What Role Does Our Civil Liberty and Rights Play In Our Government System?
Have you ever put some thought into how our Civil Liberties and Civil Rights work in our system or even attempt to figure out what they are? Our
government system comprises Civil Liberties and Rights that are similar in ways and different in others, but one of them can have the most influence on
your life.
1 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights are rights that we have as Americans. Civil Liberties are basic rights and freedoms that are protected and can't be
taken away under any circumstance even if it's under a biased government. Civil Liberties encompass the "right of speech, the right to...show more
content...
Some people think that civil liberties and rights are the same, but there are differences. 3 In civil rights, the government grants a wide variety of right
to individuals, however in civil rights, not only does the government grant your rights, but they also include protective aspects of the civil rights
based on particular characteristics. A major difference is that the rights that an individual has in civil liberties are against the government. People
refused to approve the constitution unless a Bill of Rights was created for the purpose of protecting them from infringement. While the civil liberties
are against the government, civil rights are guaranteed by the government through judicial rulings and executive orders. I believe that civil liberties
have the most influence on my life because these days it doesn't feel like we actually have civil rights and every day it's getting taken from us in one
form or another, without us even realizing it most of the time. With civil liberties, you're born with it and no one can take it away from you except the
government, which means you have to strive to keep those rights.
You might think that with civil liberties and civil rights, there would be no such thing as courts being involved since they can't be disputed, they're
definite. Well, sadly that's not the case. Day by day, courts are faced with cases that involve freedoms and rights a person is born with, yet disputes
still come out. These can range from cases that are based

Civil Liberties Pros And Cons
Civil liberties are simply defined to be protections against government actions or power. They are embedded in the Bill of Rights which restricts the
power of the federal government. To take away any of the liberties in the Constitution is illegal. There are several Amendments that give liberties to
the people. The First Amendment gives freedoms of speech, press, assembly, petition and religion. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Amendments give rights to
bear arms, protection against having to house soldiers in your home, and protection from unreasonable search and seizures. The 5th, 6th, 7th, and
8thAmendments gives rights of due process, right to trial by jury, and protection from cruel and unusual punishment. The 9th and 10th Amendments
gives rights not enumerated by the Bill of Rights. The 14th Amendment is also important as it pertains to civil liberties and states that there must be
"due process" before the government can take away anyone's life, liberty, or property. This Amendment also applies due process to the states as well
as the federal government. Many civil liberties can infringe on others and this can sometimes make it hard for courts to rule one way or the other. An
example of this could be with advertising. Should advertisers have the same free speech as others even if they are producing false claims? Many
liberties have certain tests that they must pass in order to be protected under the Bill of Rights. Some examples of these are the "clear and present

Ambiguity Of Civil Liberties Essay
Civil liberties have a formative and long history within the UK, the development of which is considered to have begun with the Magna Carta in
1215. This document is often described as the blueprint and original template for the numerous Bill of Rights and constitutions which exist today.
Unlike other countries, such as the USA, the UK does not have a written constitution setting out its citizens' civil liberties. Common law may
account for many of the UK's long recognised civil liberties however it is the documents which exemplify liberties which are still enforced today,
such as habeas corpus: anyone who has been arrested or otherwise deprived of their liberty, may apply for a judge to oversee the legality of this
decision. With the UK currently a party to the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA 1998), it is
becoming ever more important to understand what defines a civil liberties and whether civil liberties and human rights can be viewed as
interchangeable concepts. This essay aims to examine: the origins and apparent ambiguity of civil liberties and human rights; the two different
approaches offered by the author of 'Textbook on Civil Liberties and Human Rights,' Richard Stone; and Ewing and Gearty's slant, as noted in "The
Struggle for Civil Liberties;" whether civil liberties are distinct from human rights will also be explored, and...show more content...
Gearty argues that civil liberties are the rights which are not to be interfered with, rather than the right to do something. They have divided civil
liberties into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary liberties are those necessary for direct participation in the political process, such as the
right to vote; whereas secondary liberties are those which allow influence on politics. The view here is that civil liberties are mostly protected by
common law, whilst human rights are safeguarded by

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Essay
Civil Liberties (And how they differ from civil rights) "If the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands, they must be made
brighter in our own. If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep them
free. If in other lands the eternal truths of the past are threatened by intolerance, we must provide a safe place for their perpetuation." Franklin
Delano Roosevelt, 1938 (Isaacs 66) Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home, the right
to a fair trial, the right to marry, and the right to vote are all examples of Civil Liberties that every American is guaranteed under the Bill of...show more
content...
Civil liberties are basic freedoms granted to individuals in the Bill of Rights. Individual freedom can survive only under a system of law by which
both the supreme and the governed are bound. Such a system of fundamental laws, Civil rights are constitutional guarantees, which mean they are
granted to individuals with the body of the Constitution in the form of amendments. Many civil rights were granted after the Constitution was
written, but civil liberties were included in the Constitution since their adoption in the Bill of Rights in 1791. One of the main reasons that the
Puritans sailed to America to was to escape religious persecution. They were actually being physically beaten because of their religious beliefs.
America began with a government based on religious beliefs. It developed into a government, which condemned those who did not believe in the
Puritan beliefs. For example, one had to believe in the Puritan religion and attend church to vote and become a member of the Puritan society. This
practice further developed into a situation in which you were beaten or killed if you did not believe in the Puritan religion, the exact reasons they had
originally fled from England. It took a group of men to deduce what liberties were guaranteed and which were not, to avoid mistakes made by puritans
and others in history. Men like Thomas Jefferson, who argued that the sole purpose of government was to protect our individual rights. The

Regarding Civil Rights
As a United States citizen I enjoy countless benefits that people living in many other countries may not. As a citizen of a democracy we have civil
rights and civil liberties, both of which we are extremely lucky to have. While the conception of civil rights and civil liberties has changed throughout
time, they must continue to change to suit our ever changing events. What I mean by this is; when the civil liberties and rights were created, there
was no debate on war against terrorism or debate regarding gay marriage, the civil rights and liberties were adapted to include these issues and must
continue to do so (Prabhat). Many people often use the terms "civil rights" and "civil liberties" interchangeably. This creates confusion and is one of
the main reasons people often think they are the same thing. Essentially civil liberties protect us from government actions while civil rights protect us
from un–fairness and discrimination ("What Are Civil Liberties?"). I believe that civil rights are more important to our American democracy than civil
liberties.
First of all, let's gain a better understanding of civil liberties. Civil liberties are guaranteed to all citizens and are found in the United States Constitution
and the Bill of Rights. Civil liberties are limitations on the government's power and are used to protect freedoms that the government may not legally
interfere with. An example of a civil liberty is the freedom of religion, the first

Essay On Civil Rights And Civil Liberties
Introduction
Our Founding Founders established the federal government with three distinct branches, each with powers over the other in order to have a proper
checks and balances to ensure fairness across the board. The U.S. Constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of the three branches of
government and is a critical document for the federal government. Important laws and documents such as The Bill of Rights, The US Civil Rights Act
and The Freedom of Information Act (FoIA) are managed by our Constitution. Below we will discuss three subjects which set up a diverse broad range
of viewpoints that are essential in our democracy.
Civil liberties/rights
Civil rights and civil liberties have been constantly changing and growing as our country moves forward with its ever–changing society. Civil liberties
are about...show more content...
The sequestration that the Obama administration proposed would leave America with the smallest ground force it has ever seen since 1940s, the
smallest number of ships since 1915, and the smallest Air Force in history. The Republican Party adamantly opposed the impending defense spending
cuts, stating that they were severe and that it would be a disaster to our national security, a decline of our nation's defense industrial base, and would
result in the layoff of more than 1 million skilled workers.
Public opinion on the military budget has been divided for years. Surveys have previously shown a large number of Americans believing the nation
spends too much on the military, others seem to be happy with the current levels of military spending and a small number saying they think the
government spends too little. Now that spending has been cut, the public is more divided on the issue than it has been in decades. This makes the issue
of military spending a particularly hot–button issue for the newly elected Republican

Summary: Civil Liberties For The Colonists
Civil Liberties for the Colonists
Have any of you guys wonder why the Colonists went to war with England? Well most people say it is for freedom. Others say it was for economic
rights. Well, they are half right. The colonists fought in the Revolutionary war for civil liberties. After the French and Indian warEngland had a big debt
from the war. They needed a way to pay all the debt. So they taxed all the Colonists to get money. The Colonists were furious about these acts and taxes.
They refuse to pay these taxes, England was getting angry with the colonists, so they put Intolerable Acts on the colonists. Intolerable Acts are acts that
are hard to endure and offensive. The Colonists had enough of England pushing them around,so...show more content...
Having Civil Liberties meant everything to the Colonists. They wanted rights and free to settle anywhere they want. They didn't want to pay taxes for
England or be part of England anymore. Civil Liberties motivated the Colonists to pursue independence because they wanted freedom and rights more
than anything. They were all willing to sacrifice their own lives for freedom and rights. They wanted to be their own country and separate from
Britain. Thomas Jefferson stated in the Declaration of Independence that all men have unalienable rights, rights that can not be taken away. Jefferson
wrote this document because he wanted Civil Liberties. Civil Liberties drove everyone to having independence. The Colonists decision to declare
independence over Civil Liberties was significant, even to this day because the country of the United States have freedom of speech, the right to vote,
and unalienable rights. America is most free country in the whole entire world. We have the U.S. Army fighting for our freedom to this day. People
born in the U.S are really grateful for having Colonists fight in the Revolutionary War for Civil Liberties back

Civil Liberties Essay
From the beginning, the United States Constitution has guaranteed the American people civil liberties. These liberties have given citizens rights to
speak, believe, and act freely. The Constitution grants citizens the courage to express their mind about something they believe is immoral or unjust.
The question is, how far are citizens willing to extend the meanings of these liberties? Some people believe that American citizens take advantage of
their civil liberties, harming those around them. On the contrary, many other people feel that civil liberties are necessary tools to fight for their
Constitutional rights. Critics believe that American citizens take advantage of civil liberties supporting limits on freedom of speech. They...show more
content...
People can take the negative speech spoken about them and use it as a stimulus for success, proving their harmful peers wrong. Without criticism, self
reflection would no longer remain. Glen Greenwald points out that "empowering the State to proscribe and punish speech is not only the most
dangerous step a society can take–though it is that–it's also the most senseless. It never achieves its intended effect of suppressing or eliminating a
particular view" (qtd. in Gallagher 59). In other words, Greenwald is saying that regulating freedom of speech would, in fact, harm the American
society. Consequently, freedom of speech should not be regulated due to the fact it suppresses one's inspiration. Also, opponents argue the idea that
technology is threatening the privacy of American citizens. David H. Holtzman, a security and technology expert, argues that "our privacy is
shrinking quicker than the polar ice cap; technology is eroding it faster than the legal system can protect it. This trend cannot be reversed in any
obvious way. Privacy, as we know it today, is lost" (172). Without a doubt, American technology has improved over the years. Social networks, such as
Facebook, require pictures and personal information that is seen by a large amount of people. As technology advances, the American people's

Civil Rights Vs Civil Liberties Essay
Events in America, both current and past have a dramatic effect on how Americans, and people around the world, view the country and its leaders.
These events refer to the American peoples' civil rights and liberties, stories that make the news daily, and the interaction between major political
figures. These events are meaningful as they have the power to shape the future of the United States. The values that are important to the American
people, and the representatives that we elect to uphold those values are hot topics of debate, as the people decide which direction this nation should be
heading in.
Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
It is important to distinguish between "civil rights" and "civil liberties." Civil rights have traditionally been defined as the basic right to equal treatment
based on certain protected characteristics, including: gender, disability, race, etc. Civil liberties are defined as the basic rights and freedoms that are
explicitly laid out in the Constitution and...show more content...
While the stated intentions of the FBI are well meant, the backlash from the public suggests that both Apple and the people are concerned about
violations of privacy. While the FBI claims to want the access just to search the suspects' phones, it is believed that they could then use that information
to hack into others. Another current news event that is putting the government in a negative light is the coverage of the upcoming elections. Because
most of the coverage tends to be negative, candidates involved in the current campaign as well as current politicians are being cast in a less than
favorable light, and at this point many people are having a difficult time deciding which candidate to vote

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Essay
l CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
AXIA COLLEGE OF UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
POS / 110
Civil Liberties: The Right to Privacy
Civil Liberties 2
Sub Category: Controversy over Abortion
In this assignment I will examine civil liberties, main focus on the abortion
Controversy. In today's societies, civil rights and civil liberties are not as common
and some are even at risk. Abortion rights are a very special, touchy subject and I
believe there will be never a...show more content...
Some women think that the only way
off protection than maybe it should be re–considered if sex–education should be a bigger
part in todays lessons plan. Also should be parents aware, that not talking to your
children make the situation worse. The U.S.A. are number two, behind Russia in statistics

with over 1,2 Million abortions a year. Teen pregnancies are sky high, the U.S.A. ranks
on number one among the industrial countries; almost 500 000 compare to Canada less
than 20 000. What is quite scary, that such an educated country falls so far back. A lot
States also ban now, that insurance can cover abortions
but on the other hand make birth control not available for the once they needed.
So in my view, there should be a new thinking process, what does the country want?
It is not just that pregnancies occur but also STD's and even worse HIV. Where the
U.S.A. ranks number 1 in an industrial country as well. So there is another debate,
that funding's from insurances and government funding's are used for birth control and
abortion. But does not a live time treatment for HIV, raising a child through welfare,
Medicare and such things put a bigger hole into the countries pocket?
This should be all considered into discussions about pro–life.

What Is The Importance Of Civil Liberties
The United States of America is and has always been considered as a nation in which citizens are entitled to multiple liberties and rights. Civil
liberties are protections of citizens from the government and generates several rights such as freedom of speech, of religion, of press, of assembly, of
petition. The notion of civil liberties started back in 1787 during elaboration of what was going to be one of the most powerful document ever written in
human history. During the convention, the Anti–Federalist feared a too powerful government that would interfere in people's rights and liberties. The
founding fathers understood that the illustration of the Bill of rights can only but put forth personal freedoms. However, the Bill of Rights was...show
more content...
For instance, slavery was a very sensible matter in 1787.The constitution as it was originally written did not attribute any rights to black men. Indeed, it
legitimated slavery indirectly through the Tree–fifths Compromise. The process of preservation of liberties has been always a matter of daily fight.
Many events occurred which led to the reverse certain laws. The outcome of the Civil War has put an end to a Supreme Court decision known as
the Dred Scott decision. Moreover, it has "freed" the slaves and given them some liberties. In 1870, the 15th amendment made it unconstitutional
for any governments to deny the right to vote based on race, color of the skin. It made clear that former slaves were fully citizens. The equal
protection clause would later be the basis of a series of legislation concerning civil rights. In the 1960s, many executive orders and laws expended
civil liberties through the entire nation. One of the most remarkable orders was the activation of the National Grade in Mississippi and in Alabama to
enforce school desegregation. The late 1960s has seen the rise of civil rights movements. Civil disobedience, a use of nonviolent tactics, was an
effective way of protest. The American Indians were not considered as U.S.

Today in United States we take many of our civil liberties for granted that are given to us by the American Constitution and Bill of Rights but it was
not always this way. Since the founding of our nation personal liberties have been held in the highest regard being written into the founding documents
of our country and has been updated to ensure it is accurately protects the ideas and beliefs of its citizens. The liberties granted to the American people
were the first of its kind in a world predominantly ruled by tyranny and barbarism, the United States was a democratic government and allowed its
citizens unalienable rights and made everyone in this great nation free and equal to purse their own goals in life.
The American government as we know it today was not always a world superpower as we know it as today, it started out as thirteen colonies under
the rule of the British Empire. Being dependent on the United Kingdom's meant that they paid taxes to the British, were not represented in British
Parliament, if a war were to be declared with the British involved they would be compelled to serve alongside, and were to be governed under the
laws of britain. These four elements would prove to be the catalyst that would drove the American colonists to rise up against their imperialist overlord.
The north american continent was the next frontier for the nations of europe to colonize, in the 1700's the three most powerful nations in the world all
vying for control of the new world and its bountiful resources. For hundreds of years the nations of the European continent have found themselves in
conflicts all that was required catalyst to drive these great nations to war.
Shots rung out in the Ohio river valley in Pennsylvania on the twenty–eighth day of May 1754, Lieutenant Colonel George Washington and the virginia
militia ambush a small party of french soldiers capturing or killing the lot of them. This encounter would prove to be the catalyst for the French and
Indian War. The fighting that would envelop the North American would be some of the most brutal fighting ever seen on the continent. After seven
long years of strife and sacrifice by the American colonists they stood alongside the victorious British

Assignment One: Civil Liberties v. Civil Rights Linsey (Lins) Morgan – Student ID: 3104067
GOVT – 2305 – 71063
Northlake College
Had I been born a mere 60 years earlier, I would likely be in jail. Before discussing the U.S. Supreme Court decision which has preserved my freedom, I
would like to examine the nature of civil rights and civil liberties. Next, we will look at some of the historical context which would have found me
jailed. Lastly, we will conclude by looking at the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court 's landmark decision which has preserved my civil liberties as well
as my civil rights.
In the United States, civil rights and civil liberties are two concepts which have been interwoven into the fabric of our nation since its...show more
content...
Whereas, civil rights tend to address the rights of groups or specific demographics of people. Our longstanding American pursuit of civil rights holds
its origin in The Declaration of Independence and the precept of civil liberties which it introduces.
Civil rights and the guarantee of the civil liberty that "all men are created equal" (US, 1776) has proved to be difficult in its application. This fact is
no more glaringly evident than when looking at our nation 's treatment of race. To take a closer look at an issue that violated both civil rights and civil
liberties, until 1967 miscegenation was illegal in sixteen states. Anti–miscegenation and de facto, if not outright de jure, discrimination found their way
into the American legal system as early as 1630. Before the nation had even separated from colonial rule, the General Court of Colonial Virginia ruled
on the first American court case involving miscegenation (Martyn, 1979). The first explicit anti–miscegenation law went into effect in Maryland in
1661 (Sollors, 2000). In its original form, this first anti–miscegenation law called for any white female who had sexual relations with a black slave, to
be enslaved herself along with any offspring she produced. The bold language of the law unequivocally denounces the women in such cases as "the
disgrace of our Nation" (Maryland State Archives, 2014). The predominance of discrimination against mixed–race couples was widespread in the early

Essay on Civil Liberties
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all of which are our God given rights as stated in the "Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson
in 1776. Liberty is my main focus for this essay. Liberty as defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as "the condition of being free from
restriction or control, and the right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing." As Americans we have never
quite been truly liberated. The government has always had some sort of laws and regulations to restrict and control us from total liberty.
First of all, my connotation of liberty is very similar to that of the main denotation of the term liberty. It is that everyone, no matter what race or gender
you...show more content...
Now I thought that everyone was created equal in this country, but I was wrong. Women were looked down upon and thought to be inferior to men
for a long time but over time woman have proven themselves to be just as capable of doing almost all of the same things as men. Maybe some things
even a little better than men. Elizabeth stated that once women got married, they were not allowed to own property or even collect the wages that
they earned. This was all given to the husband, and if they should get a divorce the children were given to their mothers. How could she support and
feed them if she could not get a decent job or collect the money that she had rightfully earned? I think that this was preposterous. Just because someone
is of a different gender does not mean that they should not be entitled to the same liberties and rights as everyone else. Sojourner Truth made a great
point in "Ain't I a Woman?" when she said, "he says women can't have as much rights as men, `cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ
come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him." This shows that even if you do not
believe women should have the same liberties as men that women have played an important role in our history and should be given credit. The credit
is well

Why Are Civil Liberties Important
James Madison once said, "Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power." Back before our new technology
existed, liberty was considered sacred. It was a privilege, but also a right. Although there are times when we need a little bit of guidance, the
government did give us the right to choose for ourselves what to do. Slowly, these rights are being taken away from us. Civil liberties are freedoms that
the government cannot abridge no matter what. Everyone deserves these rights, but they are being taken away and we do not realize it when it is
happening even in today's society. In the past, we have witnessed occasions where these is more lost than gained. For example, we have fought for our
rights, and now due to war, we are losing them. The government forces rules and regulations not found in the Constitution. Another example is the
government forcing healthcare upon the citizens. If one does not purchase healthcare, the government issues a fine. We are told we are given choice,
but nothing could be further from the truth. The government has access to its citizens personal information no matter what we think they do not know.
The U.S....show more content...
This act was signed by President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001. Due to this document, the government has the right to search and track
someone whom they think could possibly be a terrorist. In the past, the government would have to go through more procedures to earn the right to
searches and seizures. This act was signed after the 9/11 terrorist attack and was immediately put into effect. At the time, everyone was shaken with
fear and didn't know what was best for them. Now that we have seen what has really been taken away from us, we are hesitant to allow the
government any more restrictions on our freedom. Nobody wants to be tracked by the government especially when the person they are tracking might
not be a terrorist after

There is a standard contrast between civil liberties and civil rights. The words show up in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The
power given to the (2) two has constantly clouded, and today the thoughts are consistently used interchangeably. Regardless, they do insinuate different
sorts of guaranteed assurances. Universal freedoms are protections against government activities. Social equality, then again, suggests positive moves of
government should make to make proportionate conditions for all Americans. The articulation "social liberties" is every now and again associated with
the protection of minority get–togethers, for instance, African Americans, Hispanics, and women.
The organization adjusts "bigger part control" inclination in a prominent government that routinely finds minorities outvoted. Universal freedoms
guaranteed in the Bill of Rights might divide into two broad zones: opportunities and rights guaranteed in the First Amendment (religion, discourse,
squeeze, gathering, and request) and flexibilities and rights associated with wrongdoing and due methodology. Social freedoms are also secured by the
Fourteenth Amendment, which ensures infringement of rights and freedoms by the state governments. (U.S. Constitution) For instance, that revealed
some serious exercises of the lawmaking body in the midst of the Vietnam War.
The organization sued the daily paper, stating that the reports imperiled the national security of the United States. The

Essay on Civil Liberties During World War One
Mackenzie Deane Period 4 Civil Liberties during World War One According to the Bill of Rights, "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Nowhere in the First Amendment does it state that in times of war,
the government can change the laws that have been made to protect the people of the United States. Although some thought President Wilson's actions
were just, he did not abide by the rules of the First Amendment, and because of that, he went too far in limiting people's civil liberties during World War
...show more content...
If this is hard to believe, the case of Eugene Debs demonstrates how it was done. Debs lectured fellow socialists on the detriments of the draft. In his
speech he stated, "The poor, ignorant serfs had been taught to revere their masters; to believe that when their masters declared war upon another, it
was their patriotic duty to fall upon one another... The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles... I
would rather a thousand times be a free soul in jail than to be a sycophant and coward in the streets". Debs did just that, this speech cost him ten
years in prison. Many would say that he was only speaking his mind, and he should be able to do that, but the government had most power, and they
got the final say. Charles Schenck had a similar case. While passing out pamphlets giving men reasons to not join the army, he was arrested and
charged with violating the Espionage Act. Again, he was only trying to inform people of the disturbing side of the war. After the Espionage Act, came
the Sedition Act in 1918. The Sedition Act did not allow language "tending to incite, provoke, and encourage resistance to the United States in said
war". This Act infringed further on people's First Amendment rights. Individuals' abilities to express themselves were curtailed. One of the people that
went against this Act was Joseph Abrams. Abrams was a Russian immigrant who did not agree with the Americans invading Russia. Because of this,

Civil Liberties Essay
As Benjamin Franklin once said "A people who would trade liberty for security deserve neither". I totally agree in that we as the people of the
United States should not ask for greater safety at the price of liberty. I feel that the government does not have the power to limit our First
Amendment rights. The people of this country hold the power and politicians are merely their puppets. These leaders can ask for all kinds of
authority during a time like this but all it would take is a string backlash from the public for them to back down. What is it about a time like this that
renders these rights so unnecessary? People fought incredibly hard and gave their lives for these standards and for us to discard them at a time like this is
...show more content...
Doing so would render them useless forever. If they don't apply then, why should they apply now could be the cry heard in thirty years. The foundation
of our nation was built upon those ten amendments and though our nation might not stand solely upon them today, they play a vital part of our lives
today. Without these rules, where would our country be today? That cannot be answered but I can argue that life would be much different. This idea
that if we suddenly overthrow our constitution, that we're safe, that doesn't work.
As I earlier sated, the government does not possess the power to limit our first amendment rights. Sadly to say, the number one thing to politicians is
re–election. When faced with a strong–opposition from the voting public, they will back down. It is our job and duty as free citizens to fight to protect
our rights given to us in the Bill of Rights. I feel that many people now don't truly realize what is going on and what exactly they are being stripped
off. They are letting their feelings of anger and revenge override their need for liberty. This is something that can be chalked up as a learning
experience for our country. When the smoke has cleared, people will scratch their heads and wonder what happened during these times. It is a pattern
established by our nation many generations ago, and unfortunately, it continues. Maybe this time we will actually get it right and not let it happen again.

Civil Liberties Vs Civil Rights Essay

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Civil Liberties Vs Civil Rights Essay