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• The Declaration of Independence established that
  • all US citizens are equal
  • everyone has a right to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'
• The US Constitution sets out the rights of the American people and the structure of the US Government.
• The first ten Amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.
• Two of the best known amendments are the right to freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.

The US Constitution is the basis for law and national government in the USA.

Watch this video explaining the US Constitution and the structure it sets out for the US Government.

The US Declaration of Independence sets out the guiding principles on which the USA was founded.

A key part of this was breaking away from centralised rule from Britain.

The Declaration of Independence reads:

This establishes the ideas of equality and basic rights.

One role of the US Government is to protect the rights of the American people. The same rights are given to every American without exception.

How the USA is governed and the rights that people in American have are outlined in the Constitution.

The US Constitution is the oldest written national constitution still in use in the world:

The US Constitution:

• is the supreme law of the land which covers all people in the USA
• establishes the authority (and limits) of the Federal (National) Government
• sets out the way in which the Government of the US will operate
• it puts in place branches of Government which prevent power resting in one position
• provides guarantees for the rights and freedoms of people in the USA

The US Constitution is the foundation for a vast structure of judicial decisions, statutes, presidential actions and traditional practices that have been carried out over the past 200 years.

There have been 27 amendments to the constitution which guarantee specific personal freedoms and rights.

The US Constitution has several important amendments.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.

They protect all of the basic freedoms of American people.

The most famous are perhaps the first, second and fifth amendments.

Americans believe that freedom of speech and expression are essential for any democracy. To debate and vote, to assemble and protest, to worship, to ensure justice for all - these all rely upon the unrestricted flow of speech and information.

For example, in the US presidential election in 2024, candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump use their right to free speech to try and encourage American citizens to vote for them. At national campaign rallies, on television appearances and on social media, both candidates will have the guaranteed right to speak freely.

Pressure groups or interest groups also enjoy the freedoms the Constitution provides to be active in politics. Religious groups are often particularly outspoken in American politics. The National Rifle Association uses the freedoms provided by the First Amendment to campaign for rights around gun ownership.

There is a great deal of controversy around the Second Amendment which allows American citizens the right to own a gun.

America won its War of Independence in 1783 against Britain with a militia (citizen’s army). After the war was over, citizens were allowed to keep their weapons. Guns and rifles in those days were basic.

Today, it is possible for an American to purchase very sophisticated military equipment. In the aftermath of numerous mass shootings – more than 40,000 people were killed by guns in 2023 - there have been calls for gun laws to be amended and even for there to be a new constitutional amendment.

The pressure group the National Rifle Association (NRA) is well supported and funded and opposes such reform. The Brady Campaign, on the other hand, spend millions of dollars every year advocating for greater gun control through stronger laws to reduce gun violence.

If brought to court an American citizen can "take the Fifth". This means that he or she does not have to give evidence that may self-incriminate (make themselves appear guilty).

There has been controversy surrounding the Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre since it opened in 2002. Many of prisoners held there continue to be detained without a fair trial with a jury.

The US Government describes the men held at Guantanamo Bay as enemy combatants. However, human rights groups such as Amnesty International accuse the US military who run the camp of human rights abuse.

When President Obama was elected, he said he would close this facility, but failed to do so. In 2023, 35 men remained in the detention centre.

(Source: Amnesty International)

The US Constitution refers to 'the people' rather than US citizens. In many cases the rights in the the Constitution also provide protection for visitors to the USA.

However there are some rights that only apply to US citizens:

• right to vote in federal (and most state) elections |
• right to serve of a jury - it is also a responsibility/duty to serve on a jury if called
• apply for federal jobs
• be elected to office
• keep residency in the US
• receive government benefits and grants

• The Declaration of Independence established that

  • all US citizens are equal
  • everyone has a right to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'

• The rights of the American people are written down in the US Constitution.

• The same rights are given to every American without exception and part of the government’s role is protect the rights of the people.

• The US Constitution is the foundation for a vast structure of judicial decisions, statutes, presidential actions and traditional practices.

• The first ten Amendments to the Constitution and are known as the Bill of Rights.

• Americans believe that freedom of speech and expression are essential for any democracy and this relates to the First Amendment.

• There is a great deal of controversy around the Second Amendment which allows American citizens the right to own a gun.

• If brought to court an American citizen can "take the Fifth". The FIfth Amendment means that everyone is entitled to a trial before a jury and no-one has to give evidence that may self-incriminate.

• Some rights, such as the right to vote, be elected to political office and receive federal benefits only apply to US citizens.