The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects five basic freedoms: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government. It prohibits the government from making laws that respect an establishment of religion or restrict the free exercise of religion. It also guarantees free speech, a free press, the right to peacefully assemble, and the right to petition the government. The First Amendment applies restrictions on the federal government and some restrictions on state governments according to Supreme Court rulings.

1. First Amendment: Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition Congress should 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.

2. Info 1st Bill of Rights All Bill of Rights proposed on Sept. 25,1789/ratified- Dec. 15, 1791 Passed because Anti-Federalist would agree to Constitution. Passed less than three years after Constitution came into effect Meant to restrict National Gov’t, not States Supreme Court says some terms also apply to the states Principles only may be exercised with regard to rights of all other persons

3. Five Basic Principles Freedom of Religion Freedom of Speech Freedom of Press Freedom of Assembly Freedom of Petition

4. Freedom of Religion Protection of religion through practice Command of separation of church and state. Supreme Court ruled that public schools cannot sponsor prayer either in school or at a school-related event

5. Freedom of Speech Have a right to speak, publish, and express views Guarantee of a wide ranging discussion of public affairs Acts- The Sedition Act of 1917 and Smith Act of 1940 Sedition Act- crime to encourage disloyalty, interfere with the draft, obstruct recruiting, incite insubordination in the armed forces, or hinder the sale of government bonds Smith Act- cannot advocate the violent overthrow of the government of US to distribute and material that teaches or advises violent overthrow, or to knowingly belong to any group with such and aim.

6. Freedom of Press Have a right to speak, publish and otherwise express your views

7. Freedom of Assembly Join in public meeting Political parties Interest groups Other associations to discuss public affairs & influence public policy

8. Freedom of Petition Join with others in public meetings Political parties Interest groups Other associations to discuss public affairs and influence public policy.

9. Bibliography Freedomreligion200.jpg- http://www.enchantedoak.com/designs/freedomreligion200.jpg Images-1.jpg - http://www.freedomads.org/live/76.jpg 0300219w.jpg - http://www.turnerphotographics.com/protest/images/0300219w.jpg Freedom-ofPress.jpg- http://www.takingitglobal.org/images/understanding/topics/Freedom-of-Press.jpg Images-2.jpg- http://www.gotfreespeech.com/images/bottom-pic.jpg Public_meeting_tb.jpg- http://www.thegreenpages.ca/tb/photo_gallery/images/public_meeting_tb.jpg FFFunderagepetitcover.gif- http://www.usdaw.org.uk/getactive/resource_library/images/FFFunderagepetitcover.gif