2.1 Civil Liberties Learning Objectives and Chapter Summary

Civil Liberties

Learning Objectives

1  Trace the constitutional roots of civil liberties 


2  Describe the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of religion 


3  Outline the First Amendment guarantees of and limitations on freedom of speech, press, 
assembly, and petition 


4  Summarize changes in the interpretation of the Second Amendment right to keep and bear 
arms 


5  Analyze the rights of criminal defendants found in the Bill of Rights 


6  Explain the origin and significance of the right to privacy 


7  Evaluate how reforms to combat terrorism have affected civil liberties 


 

Chapter Summary

Civil liberties are the personal rights and freedoms that the federal government cannot abridge, either by law, constitution, or judicial interpretation. Thus, they place limitations on the power of government to restrain or dictate how individuals act. In most cases of civil liberties, the issues are complex. There is often a conflict between individuals or groups attempting to exercise rights and government seeking to control the exercise of some rights in the interests of the rights of others and to keep order. The courts decide how to balance these differing interests.

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